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.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Yankees "want Cole more than they've wanted a top free agent in years." And Cole recently "assured" the Yankees that he does not have a "West Coast bias."

Both Cole and Strasburg -- who are represented by Boras -- have been meeting with teams in California.

Cole is unlikely to sign anywhere before January, Martino reported in November, but the market for Strasburg could move faster than that.

The Yankees' meeting with Strasburg reportedly went well, while the team's first meeting with Cole was "very nice."

MARTINO: Yankees focus on Cole, Strasburg with Wheeler off board and Bumgarner soon to follow >> Read More

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