Dodgers Rumors: Ranking the four pitchers most likely to be traded for
By Jason Reed
2. Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates
Two or three years ago if you had said that Gerrit Cole was on the trade market you would be called crazy. For quite some time, Cole has been regarded as the future of this Pittsburgh Pirates organization, acting as their true number one pitcher. Now, with the great run in Pittsburgh likely over, Cole becomes the team’s most valuable trade chip.
Despite having a good amount of talent, the Pittsburgh Pirates are failing to make any noise this season. Granted, the team did lose perhaps their best bat in Starling Marte due to a PED use. However, the team still has a young core consisting of Josh Bell, Gregory Polanco, Josh Harrison, and even Andrew McCutchen. Yet, they are vigorously underperforming.
Cole can be categorized as one of the underperforming young talents in Pittsburgh. Pitching to a 6-7 record, Cole has logged a 4.51 ERA and a 1.298 WHIP. Those numbers jump out at you, especially considering Cole logged a 2.60 ERA back in 2015, finishing fourth in Cy Young at only 24 years old.
2015 was the year that Jake Arrieta, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw all had very special seasons. To see Cole up there with them is amazing.
Despite Cole struggling this season, this should not shy the Dodgers away from acquiring him. Los Angeles has a very deep farm that they can pick from. With two more years of control on Cole, it makes picking from the farm worth it. A UCLA student, the Dodgers very well could acquire Gerrit Cole.