Yankees Leap to Front of Pack With Cole Signing
Coveted free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Per ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan, signing Cole was the Yankees’ top offseason priority and their general manager Brian Cashman had ownership-level approval to offer the record-setting deal.
Gerrit Cole’s contract is the fifth $300M deal ever handed out in MLB history and the second-largest free agency deal. Cole is the first pitcher that will get over $300 million and also has the all-time average value record at $36 million a year.
It is a smart and savvy move for the Yankees, considering that they have $50 million coming off the books next season. There are no pitchers like Gerrit Cole on the free agent market for the next few years, so this was clearly the right decision, as they secure an ace.
Games with at least 14 strikeouts and no walks allowed:
Gerrit Cole in 2019 – 3
Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Sandy Koufax, & Bob Gibson careers combined – 3
Cole set an Astros record by winning his last 16 regular season decisions and he led the American League with a career-best 2.50 ERA.
His career-high 326 strikeouts were the most in MLB and set an Astros franchise record (J.R. Richard had 313 strikeouts in 1979). He had only one loss since May 22 (it was in Game 1 of the World Series against the Nationals). Cole pitched well in Game 5 of the World Series and he went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 36 2/3 innings over five postseason starts.
Odds to Win the 2020 World Series
New York Yankees +400
Los Angeles Dodgers +525
Houston Astros +550
Atlanta Braves +1100
Washington Nationals +1250
Boston Red Sox +1300
Cleveland Indians +1600
St. Louis Cardinals +2000
Philadelphia Phillies +2000
Chicago Cubs +2200
Minnesota Twins +2300
New York Mets +2500
Milwaukee Brewers +2500
Tampa Bay Rays +2750
Oakland Athletics +3000
San Diego Padres +4750
Cincinnati Reds +5000
Los Angeles Angels +5500
Chicago White Sox +5500
Arizona Diamondbacks +6600
Texas Rangers +10000
Toronto Blue Jays +10000
San Francisco Giants +12500
Colorado Rockies +12500
Pittsburgh Pirates +20000
Seattle Mariners +35000
Detroit Tigers +100000
Kansas City Royals +100000
Baltimore Orioles +100000
Miami Marlins +100000
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