Newest Yankee Gerrit Cole may not have been a part of the Astros during the 2017 season where they were found guilty of sign-stealing by MLB, but there is still the notion that it continued up until last year.
Cole spent the past two seasons down in Houston, so in his first spring training presser on Thursday, it was a given that he would be asked what he knew about the situation while it was happening.
But he said he wasn't aware it was going on at all with his team.
"No I wasn't," he said. "I wish I could elaborate, but no I wasn't."
Astros owner Jim Crane and multiple players denied the use of any electronic buzzers, and Cole was asked if he believes them.
"Sure," he answered. "I wouldn't have seen it or been privy to that information anyway, but I believe my ex-teammates. I believe those guys."
Cole didn't mind answering these questions, but being with the Yankees now, he wants to look forward to the 2020 season and beyond with his new team.
"I'd addressed it previously when I first signed a contract in New York," he said about the Astros sign-stealing scandal. "I mean, my feelings really haven't changed much. Nobody's getting a win out of this and it doesn't look very good. I guess I'm just fortunate to be able to be here and move past it."
Cole has already donned his new No. 45 jersey with the pinstriped pants, and thrown a bullpen session to his new catcher Gary Sanchez. People watching noticed how animated Cole was in speaking with manager Aaron Boone and other staffers, and Boone said he was going in-depth about his craft. He came away impressed by what he saw and heard.
"His attention to detail is special," Boone said on Wednesday.
It just shows Cole's excitement to not only be back on the mound, but be surrounded by a new group he wants to get acclimated with quickly -- that way they can get down to business faster.
And that's not to say he wants to rush through the introductions with everyone. He's just excited for this fresh start -- one that hopefully doesn't involve any more questions about the past.
"I'm just thrilled for this new adventure," he said. "I remember how much fun I had meeting new teammates a couple years ago in spring training and I'm kinda doing the same thing here."