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.
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With the Giants season basically down the tubes at this point in the season, I wondered if I would even bother to watch this week’s game against the Eagles, then I heard the news…Eli’s coming (back). Well, fate, in the form of a Daniel Jones high-ankle sprain, has given me one more chance to watch Eli Manning play for the Giants. With Jones in a walking boot, coach Pat Shurmur all but announced Manning as the starter Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles, saying that was “very likely” going to be the case. Always known for his stoic, even-keeled demeanor, Eli kept it cool on Wednesday, treating it like it’s just another game. For us long time fans, it could be the last hurrah for the 2 time Super Bowl winning quarterback, unless Daniel Jones walking boot remains on for longer then expected. Pat Shurmur said that he doesn’t expect Jones to be shut down for the season, and added he will reclaim the starting job when he is healthy. There has been much speculation about what Manning will do once this season ends. The 38-year-old said, in his typical style, that he would “just take it one game at a time.” Now I have a reason to start watching Monday Night Football and the Giants again. Well at least for one more time, simply because Eli’s coming! |
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December 2019
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NHL 12/5/19 1 Bruins 2 Capitals 3 Islanders 4 Blues 5 Oilers 6 Flyers 7 Hurricanes 8 Avalanche 9 Jets 10 Coyotes NFL 12/5/19 1 Ravens 2 49ers 3 Seahawks 4 Patriots 5 Saints 6 Cheifs 7 Vikings 8 Packers 9 Bills 10 Texans |