The Yankees are keeping their ace.
The Yankees and Gerrit Cole opted to stay together with the same four-year, $144 million deal, but with an understanding that extension talks would begin soon, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.
Gerrit Cole pitching for the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series on Oct. 30, 2024.Jason Szenes / New York Post
Cole opted out of his deal on Saturday, putting the pressure on the Yankees to add a fifth year at $36 million.
The two sides have now found a middle ground.
After missing the start of the season due to an elbow injury, Cole recorded a 3.41 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 95 innings across 17 starts during the regular season, a year after capturing his first Cy Young award.
Cole had a 2.17 ERA in five starts during the 2024 playoffs, though his failure to cover first base was part of a disastrous defensive fifth inning in Game 5 of the World Series in which the Yankees blew a 5-0 lead.
The decision is just one of several crucial ones ahead this offseason with Juan Soto now a free agent and a crowded field of suitors ready to compete with the Yankees for his services.
Source : nypost.com
