MLB Rumors: Yu Darvish Going to the New York Yankees Now Looks Unlikely
Recent rumors hint that the Yankees may have their sights set on acquiring a different starting pitcher
For a brief moment in time, it seemed like there was a real chance that Yu Darvish could wind up joining the New York Yankees. Recent developments, however, have now worked to make that scenario look unlikely.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal recently reported that the Yankees were interested in signing Darvish, which was understandable.
The Yankees are aiming to claim another world championship in 2018, and adding a pitcher as skilled and accomplished as Darvish would help their cause.
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Darvish would be an expensive acquisition, but he is a player who the Yankees could add without needing to trade any of their talented prospects, so he could be a sensible signing in that regard.
Things have changed quite a bit more recently, however, as it seems that the Yankees are now focused on acquiring a different starting pitcher.
According to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, the Yankees are currently working on a deal that would involve them acquiring Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Passan also described the Yankees as the "likeliest destination" for Cole, as the Pirates are "highly motivated" to trade him.
George A. King III of the New York Post also shared some information provided by a "person with knowledge of the talks" who mentioned that the Yankees may not have to give up top prospects Gleyber Torres and Estevan Florial as part of a deal for Cole.
If the Yankees really can get Cole for a package of prospects that does not include either Torres or Florial, they will likely sign off on that deal. The team will, in all likelihood, still have to pay a significant prospect price as they may have to give up Clint Frazier and possibly top pitching prospect Chance Adams, but they may do so if it means they can add Cole to their rotation.
The Yankees turning their attention to Cole could mean that they see him as the finishing piece for their 2018 rotation, one that already features fellow right-handers Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray and southpaw CC Sabathia.
If the Yankees can complete a deal for Cole, that likely means they have no more room in the rotation and perhaps even in the budget for Darvish.
