Is Gerrit Cole Headed to Texas?

Yankees Pitcher Rumors Swirl

Cole a Texas Native

A rumor that New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole may return to his home state of Texas with the Rangers has been circulating since the offseason began. The Rangers have reportedly been in contact with Cole's representatives, and the pitcher himself has expressed interest in playing closer to home.

Cole's Success in New York

Cole has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball since joining the Yankees in 2020. He has won a Cy Young Award and two Silver Sluggers, and he has helped the Yankees reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons in New York.

The 32-year-old right-hander has a career record of 119-63 with a 3.18 ERA and 1,727 strikeouts. He led the American League in wins and strikeouts in 2021, and he finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

Rangers' Need for a Pitching Ace

The Rangers have been in need of a top-of-the-rotation starter for several years. They have not had a pitcher finish in the top 10 in the AL in ERA since Cole Hamels in 2016.

The Rangers have a young and talented team that could be ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2023. Adding a pitcher of Cole's caliber would give them a legitimate ace and a chance to make a deep run into the playoffs.

Conclusion

The rumors of Cole's departure from the Yankees are just that for now, but they are certainly worth keeping an eye on. If Cole does decide to return to Texas, it would be a major coup for the Rangers and a significant loss for the Yankees.