Pitcher Gerrit Cole was celebrating his wife's birthday when he got the call that he'd be going to the Astros. "How can you ask for anything more than to be coming to the World Champions?" Gerrit said at today's press conference. .
Astros Manager A.J. Hinch sat next to his newest player and said he is happy that they got him, "I think we got better the day the deal was finalized."
Cole played for the Pirates for 5 years, with 2015 as his best year, winning 19 games with a 2.60 ERA. His last two seasons in Pittsburg didn't go as well, but Gerrit said he wants to learn from the veteran players and is open to a new approach.
Astros Owner Jim Crane was asked about trading for Cole before the Yankees could pick him up, "We had some chips to give up, and maybe they didn't have the depth on that side. Anytime we can beat the Yankees that's good.