The New York Yankees and their fans got an early Christmas present yesterday. They got a bag of Cole, as in Garrett Cole who agreed to a record-setting free agency contract with the Bombers.
Cole, the top free agent of the 2019-20 class, has reportedly agreed to nine-year, $324 million deal. It’s by far the biggest deal ever given to a pitcher. Stephen Strasburg received seven years and $245 million from the Washington Nationals earlier this week. Cole should thank Strasburg, who’s deal pushed up Cole’s asking price. Gerrit Cole's new $324,000,000 contract with the Yanks is worth more than the GDP of four different countries. Palau ($293,823,500), Marshall Islands ($204,173,430), Kiribati ($185,572,502) and Tuvalu ($39,731,317), where ever that is. Cole is coming off the best season of his career. At 29 years old, he should have plenty of elite seasons left. The Yankees are surely banking on that. But, is 9 years too long? The Yankees have traditionally balked at long term deals for anyone approaching 30. (see Robinson Cano). Cole has a no-trade clause, deferring none of the money and allowing Cole to opt out after five years if he wants. Advantage Cole. Cole will pitch at 29 next season. He is in his prime and at the peak of his career. Cole struck out 326 in 212¹/₃ innings last year. He proved he could handle the postseason. He is athletic, studious, serious and marketable. He’s also exactly what the Yankees needed: a legitimate number 1 starter. That enables James Paxton, Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka to fit in at Nos. 2-4. The Yanks won 103 games last season pretty much without Severino. Now, they have Severino and Cole. How does 107-8 sound? For once I don’t mind getting a bag of coal, err, I mean Cole for Christmas.
1 Comment
Stan
12/11/2019 12:56:06 pm
Great pitcher , too much money , now Yanks will have to economize signing the other stars on the team , and have already when unloading DeDe.......Yanks will be stronger in the 30 or 35 games Cole starts , but what about the other 130 games on the schedule ? Will root the Yanks to win all the way , and for team to be injury free this season......As far as Coal in your stocking for Christmas , that goes to the everyday fans like a young family of 4 who want to attend some games this season ........What will they have to pay to sit in lower level , and have beverages and food and pay for parking ?....the National Pastime has now become a Corporate Snoozefest , with the majority of potential younger fans being shut out.......324 Million????? for one man.........check out the empty seats behind Home Plate during the season........
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