Christmas came early for the New York Yankees at the Winter Meetings when they announced the signing of starting pitcher, Gerrit Cole.

Cole signed with the Yankees for 9 years, $324M, making him the highest-paid pitcher since C.C. Sabathia in 2008.

The Yankees finally got their man, or as general manager, Brian Cashman said their “white whale.”

The Yankees, who were in desperate need of a true starter, now have a legitimate hurler.

Their rotation for the 2020 season will be one of the best in the league. Consisting of starters like; Cole, Luis Severino and James Paxton, as well as a solid bullpen, the Yankees will be dangerous this season.

All of this excitement comes in the midst of the Houston Astros cheating scandal, where both their general manager and manager were fired.

The Boston Red Sox are also looking to trade their star right fielder, Mookie Betts.

The Yankees also parted ways with a long time pitching coach, Larry Rothschild and in early November they hired former Cleveland Indians pitching director, Matt Blake.

Other than Cole, the Yankees were able to re-sign veteran outfielder, Brett Gardner to a one-year deal. They also signed Erik Katz, Chris Iannetta, and Josh Thole to fill the backup catcher void.

Despite the success of this offseason, the Yankees lost two fan-favorite players.

First being shortstop, Didi Gregorius who signed a 1-year, $14M contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Gregorius will be joined by former Yankees manager, Joe Girardi who was also hired by the Phillies in October of last year.

The next Yankee lost was relief pitcher, Dellin Betances.

Betances signed with the New York Mets on a 1-year, $10.5M contract. A player option was added in 2021. Despite having missed the majority of the 2019 season with shoulder and lat injuries.

The Yankees now need to answer the question: Where do they put Miguel Andujar?

Andujar missed all of last season when he tore his shoulder labrum while diving back to third base in May.

Talks of where to place a recovered Andujar are in the experimenting phase. The team has him practice at third base, his natural position, and first base. However, the possibility of him playing outfield isn’t out of the equation either.

Yankee fans have grown fond of the current third baseman, Gio Urshela, will they be okay with letting him go for Andujar?

There are many questions to be asked about the third base situation.

First baseman Luke Voit, another fan favorite, might have to platoon with Andujar or Mike Ford, who was called up early last season.

With Spring Training only weeks away, fans eagerly await all the answers to these questions. Although there is a lot of speculation, one thing is for certain. The Cole train stops at Yankee Stadium.