The New York Yankees delivered on their promise of making Gerrit Cole their priority by signing him to a record-breaking deal worth $324 million.
The New York Yankees made it clear they wanted to bring in the top free agent available in the market and they did so by signing starting pitcher Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking deal.
After making it to the ALCS in two of the last three seasons, the Yankees needed to bring in the big fish. They made Cole their top priority this offseason and general manager Brian Cashman delivered. The record-breaking deal is nine years and worth $324 million
The news was first reported by Jon Heyman and confirmed by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Breaking: Gerrit Cole to Yankees. 9 years. 36M per. 324M total.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019
BREAKING: Right-hander Gerrit Cole is in agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2019
It should be noted that nothing is official until the Yankees announce it, but this appears to be a done deal.
The Yankees haven’t had a true ace on the staff for a while now. In adding Cole to the top of the rotation, the Bronx Bombers have solidified themselves as World Series favorites. With arguably the best lineup in the league, an extremely strong bullpen and now a rotation that is led by Cole, the Yankees have the type of window to become World Series champs like they haven’t seen in a long time.
Over the past two seasons, Cole has been one of the best pitchers in the league. His 2019 campaign was easily his best. The 29-year-old threw 212 ⅓ innings with a league-leading 326 strikeouts to go along with a 2.50 ERA and a ridiculous 0.895 WHIP. Those numbers earned him the runner up for the AL Cy Young award behind his former teammate in Justin Verlander.
With Cole entrenched at the top of the rotation, he will be followed by a combination of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and James Paxton. Youngsters Domingo German and Jordan Montgomery also could be in the mix for a rotation spot.
The Yankees entered the offseason as the likely landing spot for Cole, and they will enter the 2020 season with a true ace on the staff for the first time in years as they look to capture their 28th World Series title.