Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington addressed speculation from a New York newspaper that stated Cole could become a prime trade target for the Yankees. "Our expectation is that Gerrit is going to be a Pirate for a while," Huntington said.

EDGE Analysis

Cole agreed to a $3.75 million deal in the offseason, avoiding arbitration. Agent Scott Boras will likely take the righty to free agency following the 2019 campaign, leading the Pirates to move the 26-year-old at some point in the coming years. For his part, Cole has upped his stock in 2017, throwing the ball as well as he has in his career. Aside from a five-run, fifth-inning Opening Day, he's crafted a 2.14 ERA in 42 innings and reasserted himself as Pittsburgh's ace.