Report: Yankees working on deal to acquire Cole

The New York Yankees are reportedly working on a deal to acquire starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, whose source said it's "a matter of when rather than if."

The Pirates are said to be highly motivated to move Cole. While nothing is certain, the Yankees appear to be the likeliest destination and are making the biggest push. However, a source indicated to Passan that the Pirates expect at least one other team to step up and make an offer.

An earlier report Thursday suggested the Pirates asked the Yankees for top prospect Gleyber Torres as part of a package for Cole, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

The Yankees are reportedly looking to acquire Cole without including Torres, though. According to Passan, even if the Yankees stand pat on keeping Torres, "there's enough to work with that a deal seems likely."

The 27-year-old Cole is heading into his second season of arbitration and isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2019 season. Over five seasons with the Pirates, the right-hander has a 3.50 ERA and 3.27 FIP in 782 1/3 innings. In 2015, Cole finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting and made the All-Star team.

The Yankees have been particularly active this offseason, having already added reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins.

With a starting rotation that boasts Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, and CC Sabathia, the Yankees have a few options to fill the fifth and final spot.

In 2017, the Bronx Bombers' rotation ranked seventh-best in baseball by FanGraphs' WAR.

Meanwhile, the Pirates parting with their ace could signal a full-scale tear down and rebuild, though budding star Jameson Taillon could quickly fill that role.