Comments on: Whatever happened to Gerrit Cole?

By: Steve from OC

Steve from OC — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:29:13 +0000

Cole was only 17 y/o when he was drafted and didn’t turn 18 till after the signing deadline. That meant that he needed parental consent to sign. For the amount of money they were looking at ($1.5 to $2.5 million), they must have felt that there would be tremendous pressure on Cole to live up to at too early an age. One of his high school teammates did sign with the Mariners and played short season rookie ball last year but was also granted a chance to go to college for a full year and report for short season rookie ball again this year. I think the Cole’s felt their son wasn’t ready emotionally to deal with the money and the pressure and wanted him to go through the college experience with the opportunity to play at a D1 school that would give him a chance to continue his development in pitching.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:36:15 +0000

The inability to sign Cole stings, but the Yankees made the right call bypassing on Bittle, who was left off the Ol’ Miss roster for postseason play. Although cleared by 3 doctors last year, his shoulder issues flared up again. Bigger question…with the spotty medical history, why did the Yanks waste a 2nd round pick on Bittle?

By: matthew frags

matthew frags — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:11 +0000

The person to blame here is SCOTT BORAS. As an advisor, and a professional, he should have been privy to the family’s intentions…. His repuation is always on the line during these negotiations. Next time Yanks (and a Boras client) are involved in this type of scenario (in the draft), I’m sure the Yanks will be more tentative.

I mean, Boras had to believe this kid wanted to sign, and that the family wanted this…. after all, he wants $$$. So, I am sure Boras was duped all along as well. Much to his dismay, I’m sure. Because Boras was involved, I’m thinking the Yanks felt the chances of him signing were good (although they would have to pay, which they were prepared to do).

I mean, not only did the Yanks miss out on Cole, but they let MIchael Inoa go to OAK. If they felt Cole wouldn’t sign, they would have drafted someone else AND probably give another million to that Inoa kid.

So, in NY’s defense…. I have to blame Boras for botching this up. He needs to work with the Yanks, it was his duty to be honest and in-the-know with regard to his client.

By: matthew frags

matthew frags — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:10 +0000

So, in NY’s defense…. I have to blame Boras for botching this up. He needs to work with the Yanks, it was his duty to be honest and in-the-know with regard to his client.

By: Yankeejewboy

Yankeejewboy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:08:43 +0000

Cole and family made a stupid life dessision wich he’ll probably regret for ever. He’ll have a great collage career, and will be drafted by a stinking team. if I’d get drafted by the yanks with boras my agent no way I don’t sign. I’d sign even 4 free with the yanks.

By: CountryClub

CountryClub — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:24:42 +0000

Berroa

By: Benny Blanco

Benny Blanco — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:20:16 +0000

question, who could the yankees DFA that’s on the 40 man roster in order to bring up either linden, rodriuguez or duncan?

By: CountryClub

CountryClub — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:14:41 +0000

As mentioned in Pete’s post, the Yanks get the 76th pick this year for not signing last year’s 2nd rounder. After giving him a physical they were concerned with his shoulder. They still wanted to sign him, but at a much more team friendly price. He refused and went back to school where he pitched very well….until his shoulder gave out about 2 weeks ago. Chalk one up for the Yanks medical staff. Seems like they’ve gotten very few wins lately.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:06:10 +0000

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....r-yankees/
This article sort of reiterates my point. But yeah… the team would love to have him regardless of who they have pitching in the Bronx right now.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:03:20 +0000

From what I was told by some people who were directly involved, throughout the scouting process, Cole indicated he wanted to play pro ball and he would sign for the right amount. He slipped to the Yankees because of signability concerns but as they tend to do, the Yanks were confident that the problem could be solved with money. But after selecting him, the dialog was virtually non-existent. The team went to Cali to meet with him and his father refused the meetings. At some point, he must have decided that his son HAD to go to college… maybe if for no other reason than having him close to home for 3 more years. Some publications had him rated as the top pitcher in the draft and it is obvious he is a talent. For his sake, hopefully he doesn’t get hurt and has the same opportunity in 3 years.