BREAKING: Yankees sign Gerrit Cole
By Christian DeMoro - December 11, 2019
Rejoice. The New York Yankees have signed Gerrit Cole to a nine-year deal worth $324 million. The deal comes with an opt-out clause after the 2024 season, according to Jeff Passan. It's an obvious record-breaker for a pitcher, shattering the seven-year, $245 million pact signed earlier this week by Stephen Strasburg, who also happens to be a Scott Boras client.
Photo Credit: AP
Cole shined this past season in just about every way possible. The California native went 20-5 for the Houston Astros, leading the league with a 2.50 ERA (185 ERA+) and a whopping 326 strikeouts in 212.1 innings. He was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young award, finishing behind his former teammate Justin Verlander. He continued his dominance in the postseason, where in five starts (36.2 IP) he went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA.
Cole's path to pinstripes has been a unique one. He was a 1st round draft pick of the Yankees in 2008, but opted instead to attend UCLA and was selected 1st overall by the Pirates in 2011. The Yankees also had interest in acquiring Cole prior to the 2018 season, but the two sides could not come to an agreement.
There you have it. Brian Cashman reels in his biggest fish of the decade just three weeks before it comes to a close. The Yankees did not go to the World Series in the 2010s, and the message is clear: get back on top at any and all costs. Finally - the rest of the league has been put on notice. The Chase for 28 is in full swing.
Article by Christian DeMoro
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