Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

SAN DIEGO -- The Yankees had agreed to a deal with Gerrit Cole hours earlier, but the world didn't know it yet. A few minutes past eight on Tuesday night, Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and most of the front office left the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego for some fresh air and dinner at Seasons 52, a restaurant next door.

The group was happy, of course, but somewhat subdued, given the magnitude of the news -- save for Boone, that is, who quietly pumped his fist several times during the short walk, much to the amusement of his co-workers.

Cashman and Co. have been doing this way too long to hoot and holler and act like they'd won anything. Sure, they'd landed their top free agent target, but they still haven't seen the World Series in ten years, and still haven't turned the "Baby Bombers" brand into another generation of Yankee champions.

With the Yankees landing Gerrit Cole and transforming their starting rotation in the process, the question becomes how Cole will perform in 2020 and beyond.

Cole became a dominant force after joining the Astros, posting a 2.68 ERA/2.67 FIP and 0.96 WHIP with 602 strikeouts (13.1 per 9) in 412.2 IP in 2018 and 2019.

So how will Cole fare in 2020 during what will be the first year of his nine-year deal?

The Yankees have landed their big fish in Gerrit Cole, but they might not be done just yet. Here's the latest from MLB Winter Meetings...

Dec. 11, 5:27 AM:

With Brian Cashman landing Cole, now he can move his focus to shoring up some other spots on his roster. And re-signing Brett Gardner should be one of them. 

Gerrit Cole is going to the Yankees, and the fans weren't the only ones celebrating on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

While the players didn't mention Cole by name since the deal isn't official, their sly tweets made it clear what they were talking about.

Click below to see...

The Gerrit Cole negotiations, once thought to be likely to drag into January, wrapped up on Tuesday night when the Yankees exerted their financial might and blew the other competitors out of the water.

With Cole on board for nine years at $324 million, the Yankees have added one of the best pitchers in baseball to a team that has been trying to get over the hump of the ALCS.

Click below to see how the back pages in NYC reacted...

A Brett Gardner signing is likely coming soon, SNY's Andy Martino reported early Wednesday morning.

As the Yankees focused their efforts on landing Gerrit Cole, which they did on Tuesday night, they have remained optimistic about a reunion with Gardner, Martino has reported, noting that the Gardner situation could potentially resolve when the Yankees' payroll situation was clearer.

In November, Yankees GM Brian Cashman was open about the team's desire to have Gardner back, and wouldn't say whether he felt it would take more than a one-year deal to get it done.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

In the end, the Yankees wanted to leave no doubt. Though they've operated with an unusual level of fiscal restraint in recent years, their addition of Gerrit Cole late Tuesday night was a reminder that when they want a free agent, nobody else really stands a chance.

The Angels and Dodgers both wanted Cole badly as well, yet the Yankees blew them away with their financial might, locking up the superstar pitcher to a nine-year, $324 million contract, which was miles ahead of the other offers. 

The biggest domino has fallen, and it's landed in the Bronx.

The Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole agreed to a record-setting nine-year, $324 million deal late Tuesday night, landing what could be the final piece of their championship pursuit.

So while all eyes will now be on the Bronx come the start of the regular season, what will come next at baseball's Winter Meetings in San Diego?

Unlike last year, when Manny Machado and Bryce Harper waited until well into the new year to find their new teams, this year's Winter Meetings have been much more active, with Cole obviously being the biggest splash.

In the final minutes of Tuesday night, the Yankees broke the bank and landed Gerrit Cole, arguably the best pitcher in baseball, on a massive nine-year deal worth $324 million.

Cole joins a Yankees team that won 103 games in 2019 and 100 games the season before, and now could be the final piece to push the Yankees back to their first World Series title since 2009.

"It's been a long time since they made a move like this, and I really didn't think they'd go to nine years but obviously they wanted this guy badly," said SNY's John Harper. "If you're going to go after anybody, this is the guy. He seems to be still ascending. He's getting better and better. He went to the Astros and changed some things and now he's basically the best pitcher in the game, most strikeouts and all that.

"That and the fact the Yankees haven't won in 10 years, I think that combination put pressure on Hal Steinbrenner to say enough is enough with the budget and all that. … The bottom line is they got their guy. This is what they've been missing, the big piece they've been missing. You would think they're set up now more than ever to win a championship."

The Yankees have landed the biggest name on this year's free agency market, and added a proven ace to their pitching staff.

SNY's Andy Martino has confirmed the Yankees have agreed to a nine-year, $324 million deal with right-hander Gerrit Cole, which immediately increases their odds to win their first World Series since 2009. The deal was first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

ESPN's Jeff Passan has reported that Cole has an opt-out after the fifth year of his deal, while Joel Sherman of the New York Post has reported that Cole received a no-trade clause.

The Yankees are in pursuit of free agent Gerrit Cole. Here's the latest...

Dec. 10, 11:20 PM:

Wednesday could be the day of reckoning in the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

SAN DIEGO -- Soon -- perhaps very soon, according to people in the know -- the Yankees will know if Gerrit Cole wants to play for them. Until then, the team's strong focus is on the free agent pitcher, and they'll deal with other concerns later.

For example, the Yankees seemed unfazed by the news that Didi Gregorius signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Phillies. People familiar with the team's thinking believe that the front office decided as far back as September to part with Gregorius. 

Though the team loved Gregorius' production, clubhouse presence, and ability to replace an icon in Derek Jeter, they appeared to believe that they simply had enough in-house coverage at shortstop to let Gregorius walk. 

The MLB announced the list of players who made the inaugural All-MLB first and second teams on Tuesday and two Yankees made the cut.

DJ LeMahieu was named to the All-MLB first team at second base, while Aroldis Chapman was named to the second team as one of two relievers.

This past season was LeMahieu's first in New York and first in the American League, but the 31-year-old shined for the Yankees. 

Aaron Boone spoke with the media at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday afternoon, just minutes after Didi Gregorius reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Boone, who managed Gregorius with the Yankees over the last two seasons, reacted to the news of the signing, playfully being skeptical of the reporting before talking about his former shortstop.

"I'll wait until the Phillies announce it and really know it's official," Boone said while cracking a smile. "Didi has been a great player for us and is a great person and is somebody that's obviously been there before I got there...I followed his career just because he came up with Cincinnati and then was out in Arizona, so I was very familiar with him." 

The Yankees' shortstop situation just became very clear, as Didi Gregorius has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phillies, according to multiple reports. NBC Sports' Jim Salisbury has the deal set at $14 million for the year. 

Brian Cashman said he was talking to all the Yankees on the free agent market, and Gregorius was among them. But with Gleyber Torres under team control and his natural position being shortstop, SNY's Andy Martino reported earlier this offseason that a Gregorius reunion was unlikely.

It was suggested on Monday by MLB Network's Jon Heyman that Gregorius was going to see a multi-year deal worth $14-15 million per season. But while the price range was correct, Gregorius didn't get that long-term deal, which is likely caused by a mediocre season following a return from Tommy John surgery. 

The Yankees have made J.A. Happ available via trade, partly in an effort to clear payroll with the potential that a massive deal for free agent Gerrit Cole will soon be added to the books, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

With Happ available, Martino notes that "plenty of National League teams," including the Brewers, would have interest in trading for him. Martino also lists the Blue Jays as a potential suitor. 

Happ is owed $17 million for the 2020 season, and his $17 million option for the 2021 season will vest if he throws 165 innings and/or starts 27 games this coming season.

On Monday, Stephen Strasburg inked the most lucrative contract ever for a pitcher, returning to the Nationals for $245 million over seven years. That deal could vault Cole above $300 million and could mean he gets eight or even nine years.

The Yankees had reported interest in Royals LHP Tim Hill late last month, and that seems to still be the case, according to The Post's George A. King III. 

GM Brian Cashman is still inquiring about his availability via trade, as the Yankees could use another lefty reliever in their bullpen. Hill, a submarine pitcher, pitched to a 3.63 ERA over 39.2 innings last season. He is very productive against lefties, and he has allowed 0.8 and 0.9 homers per nine innings in the last two seasons respectively -- always a good number for a small Yankee Stadium. 

One of the Royals' needs is a third baseman, and King has them being interested in Miguel Andujar and Gio Urshela, depending on what the Yankees decide to do with that situation. Urshela has the upper hand after a breakout season, while Andujar is coming back from a torn labrum. 

The MLB Winter Meetings are in full swing in San Diego, and the Yankees are expected to be active. Here's the latest...

Dec. 10, 12:30 PM:

The Yankees have made J.A. Happ available via trade, partly in an effort to clear payroll with the potential that a massive deal for free agent Gerrit Cole will soon be added to the books, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

The Yankees have a well-known, ongoning pursuit of starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. That's kicking into another gear this week as the MLB Winter Meetings are underway in San Diego. 

Stephen Strasburg already returned to the Nationals on Monday. Soon after, the Yankees reportedly submitted an offer for Cole's services.

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone couldn't provide much insight into the discussion there, but he did admit one thing, while also perhaps selling things to Cole. 

MLB's Winter Meetings have officially begun in San Diego, and the Yankees are expected to be among those extremely active in upgrading their 2020 roster. Here are the latest rumors for today...

Dec. 9, 10:17 PM:

As the Yankees continue to pursue Gerrit Cole, who will land the richest contract in baseball history whenever he signs, it now seems like the team is looking to alleviate some of that financial burden.

Free agent target Dellin Betances is "likely" to sign a one-year deal in an effort to increase his value and hit the market again in 2020, reports Jack Curry of the YES Network.

Curry added that the Yankees have engaged with Betances, who he says attended a congratulatory dinner for Carlos Beltran after Beltran was named manager of the Mets.

Betances, who will turn 32 before Opening Day, pitched just 2/3 of an inning in 2019 after dealing with a lat injury. He returned toward the end of the season, but suffered an Achilles injury in his only appearance that ended his year. 

Stephen Strasburg has agreed to a seven-year deal with the Nationals worth $245 million, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. It is a record deal for a pitcher that will also have ramifications when it comes to Gerrit Cole's market. 

The deal includes a full no-trade clause and does not have any opt-outs, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo.

The Yankees met with Strasburg and Cole last week, though they have been focused on Cole. According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Yanks have back-burnered other business in an effort to complete the Cole negotiations.

The Yankees are open to bringing free agent Didi Gregorius back, but his market could be approaching a level the Bombers don't want to go to.

Gregorius "seems likely" to get a multiyear deal worth roughly $14 million or $15 million, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported on Monday, adding that the Reds could potentially be priced out at that number.

As far as the Yankees, SNY's Andy Martino noted that he can't see them bringing Gregorius back at the number Heyman reported.

On Monday, ESPN released a large chunk of its Sunday Night Baseball games for the 2020 MLB season, and the Yankees are featured in a bunch. 

These primetime matchups feature some stiff competition that should make out for some great Sunday night games. Here's where the Yankees are slated thus far:

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE GAMES

Yankees GM Brian Cashman will be on a flight to San Diego Sunday night, as the MLB Winter Meetings will be conducted for the next few days. But first, he made a pit stop at the "Heights & Lights" program in Stamford, CT where he propelled from The Landmark Building wearing an elf costume.

Once his duties were done and he safely made his way to the ground, Cashman took the time to discuss the Yankees and what he believes will go down at the Winter Meetings. 

Here's a few key topics Cashman touched on:

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Winter Meetings have been a snooze-fest in recent years, as teams have become more cautious about long-term free-agent signings and less inclined to give up prospects in trades, producing offseason stalemates that last into February.

But there's hope it might be different this time, as a combination of factors offers the possibility for significant action in San Diego the next few days. 

Most notably, large-market teams such as the Yankees, Dodgers, and Angels are big-game hunters this offseason, which hasn't been the case in recent years. 

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Here's the ideal Winter Meetings headline for Yankees fans:

"Happy Holidays! Yanks Get Cole in their Stocking." 

The Yankees reportedly enjoyed their meeting with free agent pitcher Stephen Strasburg, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

However, according to Heyman, the team would be surprised if Strasburg decided to leave the Washington Nationals, where he's been since the Nats drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.

The report also mentioned the Nationals are more confident in Strasburg re-signing than their other big free agent, 3B Anthony Rendon. Nats owner Mark Lerner said on Thursday that the team can't afford to retain both Strasburg and Rendon.

Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter |

On Sunday, Brian Cashman and the rest of MLB's general managers will travel to San Diego for the annual Winter Meetings, where deals with free agents and potential trades will create a rumor mill that baseball fans can't wait to see.

And as always, the Yankees should be a team mentioned in many of those rumors. 

While Cashman will be looking to make some serious headway in his offseason plans, he'll also make sure to update the media after each day to see how things are going. 

With all eyes on the Yankees' pursuit of Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the team still has multiple free agents of their own that they are considering bringing back, including Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius.

As SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday, the Yankees remain optimistic about a reunion with Gardner even as their main offseason focus remains on pitching.

On Friday, Yankees GM Brian Cashman discussed the continued dialogue with the Gardner and Gregorius camps.

A Yankees contingent featuring Brian Cashman, Andy Pettitte, and others sat down earlier this week with free agents Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. 

Unlike the Yankees' recent free agency gameplans, they are full steam ahead for Cole and have made it clear that they'll spend whatever it takes to land him, SNY's Andy Martino has reported. If they don't land Cole, they could turn to Strasburg, who they view as similarly elite.

On Friday morning, Cashman spoke about the dual pursuits.

On Thursday during his R2C2 podcast, former Yankee CC Sabathia got very heated when talking about the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

"It just sucks that it happened," Sabathia said. "I knew those m-----f------ didn't beat us fair and square. I knew were better than them, man! F---!"

Sabathia would go on to say, "That organization, man, they need to fire everybody. Jeez!"

Former Yankees All-Star pitcher Andy Pettitte was part of the team's contigent that sat down to meet with free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, according to ESPN's Buster Olney and the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Using Pettitte to help recruit Cole to the Yankees makes plenty of sense, as Pettitte played three seasons for the Astros, where Cole pitched the last two years.

Pettitte and the Yankees met with Strasburg in a hotel near agent Scott Boras' office in Newport Beach, CA. Yankees GM Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, and new pitching coach Matt Blake were also in attendance for the meeting.

As the Yankees focus their efforts on landing free agents Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, they remain optimistic about a reunion with outfielder Brett Gardner, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

Martino notes that the Gardner situation could potentially resolve when the Yankees' payroll situation is clearer.

In November, Yankees GM Brian Cashman was open about the team's desire to have Gardner back, and wouldn't say whether he felt it would take more than a one-year deal to get it done.

According to a report, the Yankees met with free agent right-hander Stephen Strasburg on Wednesday.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand has reported that the meeting between the two sides went well, and that while the Yankees tried to sell the righty on their organization and the New York market, exact dollars were not discussed.

The Bombers have also met with Gerrit Cole, with Jon Heyman reporting that the two sides had a "very nice" first meeting. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Yankees liked Zack Wheeler, and they like Madison Bumgarner well enough.

But in the wake of Wheeler's five year, $118 million agreement with the Phillies -- and in the face of an intensifying market for Bumgarner -- it is clearer than ever that the team's square focus is on the two big fish, Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.

Of the two, Cole is the primary target, but the Yanks consider Strasburg elite, too. And that's the entire list of elite starters available via free agency. Bumgarner is no longer in that top tier.

The Astros' sign-stealing scandal has been one of MLB's top stories this offseason, and it doesn't help that most of the case studies have been seen during Yankees games. 

Well, a current Yankee decided to troll the Astros during his Call of Duty live stream on Tuesday night. 

Clint Frazier, who was playing the video game with Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones, was having his player make a gesture towards trash cans in the game to mock the Astros' system of hitting a trash can in the clubhouse to let hitters know what pitch was coming. Check it out:

The Yankees are interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. Here's the latest...

Dec. 4, 2:21 PM:

SNY's Andy Martino has reported that Wheeler has reached an agreement with the Phillies. Many were getting the feeling that Wheeler's market was heating up to the highest degree before Winter Meetings, and that's exactly what happened as he joins the Mets' NL East rival. 

Martino adds that the official deal is five years, worth $118 million over that span. So the Yankees have one top pitching target off the board, and now crunch time begins.

As Didi Gregorius hit the open market, the Phillies were instantly mentioned among the teams interested in adding the veteran shortstop.

Now, Philadelphia has allowed two of their infielder mainstays to become free agents, and their manager - former Yankees skipper Joe Girardi - has gone on the record about how much he likes Gregorius as a player. 

"He's a real character guy and he's a real hard worker who is a really important clubhouse presence," Girardi told reporters in Philadelphia on Tuesday. "I felt that he was important to the clubhouse in New York and what he brought every day. 

"I've always been a big fan of Didi and what he's been able to accomplish."

CC Sabathia knows exactly what it feels like for a pitcher to sign a massive contract with the Yankees. 

The left-hander did that very thing on December 18, 2008, inking a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Bombers.

Now officially retired, Sabathia knows that the Yankees are likely to pull out all the stops to try to sign Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg.

All 32 MLB teams had to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by 8 p.m. on Monday, or they would officially hit the free agent market for anyone's bidding. 

The Yankees tendered contracts to all of their specified players, but they could be in the hunt for some players that didn't see a contract from their now former team. 

Here's who could interest the Yankees on the free agent market...

The Yankees will be sitting down with free agent right-hander Stephen Strasburg on Wednesday, reports Jon Heyman.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Monday that in addition to Strasburg, the Yankees will also meet with Gerrit Cole.

According to Rosenthal, Strasburg and Cole -- who are both represented by Scott Boras -- have been meeting with interested teams in California.

"We're going to talk to Strasburg. We're going to talk to Cole," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said earlier this offseason. "We're going to talk to the higher-end guys and talk to some surprise guys I'm sure. It's hard to predict, but obviously anybody would have interest in players like that."

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Since the beginning of the offseason, the Yankees have made Gerrit Cole their top free agent target, without knowing if Cole wants to play closer to his West Coast roots.

While many in the industry believe that Cole prefers California, the Yankees don't have any information to that effect from the agent, Scott Boras, or the player. They are left to prepare to meet with Cole this week, as The Athletic first reported they would.

According to people familiar with the Yankees' thinking, the team is trying to balance the Cole pursuit with engagement in at least two other free agent starting pitchers, Madison Bumgarner and Zack Wheeler. They see flaws and concerns with both, but they see upside, too, and will stay engaged.

The Yankees have tendered contracts to all 12 arbitration-eligible players this offseason, with James Paxton, Aaron Judge, and Gary Sanchez the biggest names in that group. 

Once a player is offered arbitration, the team and that player's agent have until a set date -- usually at some point in February -- to come to terms on a new contract. If that doesn't happen, both sides submit salary proposals and the player's salary is determined at a hearing by independent arbitrators. 

According to MLB Trade Rumors, here's what the Yankees' arbitration-eligible players are projected to make in 2020...

The Athetics non-tendered RHP Blake Treinen on Monday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

On Friday, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the A's were listening to offers on the 31-year-old reliever, and that the Yankees were one of the teams inquiring about him. The Yankees were one of several teams approached by the A's regarding Treinen, but Oakland was unable to find a trade partner, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

The previously arbitration-eligible Treinen will now cost the Yankees only money should they stil be interested in acquiring him.

The Reds ignited the Hot Stove on Monday by signing Mike Moustakas to a four-year, $64 million dollar contract. Moustakas is expected to play second base for Cincinnati, who non-tendered infielder Jose Peraza earlier in the day.

The Reds had been named as a potential suitor for Didi Gregorius, who is also a free agent after playing the last five seasons for the Yankees. How Moustakas' signing affects their chances of landing the 29-year-old. 

With Peraza no longer on the roster, that removes him as a potential replacement for Jose Iglesias, a free agent who played 144 games at shortstop for the Reds last season. The team also claimed Freddy Galvis off waivers from Toronto in August and have him under contract for 2020, as well. 

After the Rangers reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $30 million with RHP Kyle Gibson last Wednesday, a Sunday report suggested that Texas has interest in New York Yankees 3B Miguel Andujar.

The Rangers are "definitely intrigued" by the idea of a trade for Andujar, according to MLB.com beat writer T.R. Sullivan, with the need for a replacement at the hot corner evident.

Adrian Beltre retired from MLB after 21 seasons Nov. 20, 2018, following nine years with the Rangers and leaving Texas in need of a long-term option after releasing starter Asdrubal Cabrera Aug. 4.

Whether or not the Yankees re-sign RHP Dellin Betances and C Austin Romine remains to be seen, but the Phillies reportedly could make a move for the duo.

Philadelphia, which hired former New York manager Joe Girardi (2008-17) Oct. 24, has interest in Betances and Romine, according to a report published Friday by George A. King III of the New York Post.

The Phillies have also been tied to SS Didi Gregorius, who is set for free agency after the Yankees did not extend a qualifying offer Nov. 4.

As the Yankees look to upgrade their roster in the offseason, one move they addition New York now is reportedly considering comes from the bullpen.

After the Athletics traded RHP Jharel Cotton to the Chicago Cubs last Saturday for cash considerations, Oakland is reportedly listening on offers for three other players.

One of the available chips is RHP Blake Treinen, with the Yankees among the teams that are expressing interest, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.