After his right elbow injury last year, it seemed that Gerrit Cole’s days as a MLB pitcher were uncertain. However, a quick recovery has put him in a favorable position to negotiate a new contract while the New York Yankees management rules out making him a free agent.
In recent statements, Gerrit Cole stressed that he feels “in a good position”, so the future is optimistic for the right-handed pitcher to stay with the Bronx Bombers. “The intention was not to do anything but stay. I’m happy to be where my feet were, back at Yankee Stadium.”
It is worth remembering that at the end of the World Series, Cole chose to opt out of his contract with four years and $144 million remaining, which gave the Yankees two days to nullify the opt-out with a one-year, $36 million extension.
In this situation, the New York Yankees management gave Gerrit Cole an open pass to free agency and after analyzing it, he has decided to remain with the organization with the contract intact, as if he had not exercised the clause.
What was Gerrit Cole’s contract like when he signed with the New York Yankees?
It was in 2020 when Gerrit Cole agreed to a nine-year, $324 million contract, which at the time made it the largest contract in history for a pitcher.
What could prevent Cole from signing with the Yankees?
Gerrit Cole is in the final stretch of his career as the right-handed pitcher is 34 years old and has an injury that could flare up. However, his personal record, which includes an American League Cy Young Award in 2023, could be a weapon to stay with the New York Yankees.
With said injury, last year he appeared on the mound at Yankee Stadium until June 19. During the season, the six-time All-Star also went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts, then went 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason outings.
The New York decision gives the Yankees six potential pitchers to the rotation, a group that includes Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman.
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