It's time for the Yankees to send Gold King Cole a congratulatory message

Hats off to the Gerrit Cole, our former first round pick, who refused to negotiate with us, after letting whispers circulate that he'd reconsider college for a shot at the Big Apple. He's this year's Stephen Strasburg, and he should enjoy every twinge of joy in his talented elbow, on his fast track to meeting Mr. Tommy John.

Nobody would ever accuse us of harboring  animosity against an teenage drama prince for enjoying his moment in the spotlight two years ago. It must have been fun to hear Brian Cashman's voice on the answering machine, and not picking up the phone to answer. The Yankees wanted him, but - no - he would keep his virginity until a proper wedding could be arranged.

Now, he's marrying Pittsburgh, which hasn't had a winning season in 10 years, to anchor the staff with Jeff Karstens and - who knows - maybe Colter Bean will resurface. In the meantime, he can enjoy the contract negotiations with Pittsburgh, his whirlwind ride though the minors and then surgery. After that, he can go 3-14 for three years, and then, the day after they go spend all their money on Eric Hinske, he can get booed when he begs to be traded to a contender.

Fine. OK. That's his life. We can't judge. But there is something we can do today, tonight, right now -- to celebrate Cole's achievement:

Let's give our first-found pick, drafted number fiftysomething, Dante Bichette Jr., more money.

Yep. That's what we should do... pay him $100 more than Cole.

It's called remembering.

And let's let Gold King Cole congratulate himself... for wasting our time.