Report: Pirates, Astros have 'no deal' for Cole

After a deal that would send Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros seemed imminent, the Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly not yet trading the right-hander to the defending World Series champions, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

The Astros and Pirates have "no deal," according to Passan's source, who went on to call it a "false rumor," despite the trade seeming to be close, per Jon Morosi of Yahoo Sports.

Although a trade isn't done, "it could still happen," according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

The 27-year-old Cole is entering his second year of salary arbitration and is under team control through the 2019 season.