Gerrit Cole will be pinstripes next year!
John Heyman broke the news of Cole’s signing slightly before midnight. Cole’s 9 year, $324 million dollar contract becomes the largest contract for a pitcher ever in the history of baseball, and in very George Steinbrenner like fashion, blows Steven Strasburg’s 7 year, $245 million dollar deal out of the water.
Gerrit Cole will be receiving $36 million a year. There is an opt out in the contract after his fifth year in the Bronx. Cole was arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball last year winning 20 games along with posting a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts. Cole is 29 years old and has had no serious injuries whatsoever.
The Gerrit Cole sweepstakes ultimately came down to three teams: the Yankees, the Angels and the Dodgers with Cole finally deciding to choose the Yanks over his hometown SoCal teams.
Cole clearly becomes the Yankees ace in what is now a championship caliber rotation consisting of Cole, Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, and, for the moment, at least J.A. Happ.
The Yanks have been looking to solidify their team so that they are the best team in the American League as they head into the 2020 season. The huge addition of Cole to the Yankees, along with his subtraction from the Astros, completely shifts the balance of power in the league. The Yankees are now the favorites to win the AL East, the American League itself, and the World Series!
Christmas came a few weeks early in the Bronx. This is the best Christmas present any fan could’ve asked for.
Comments