Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Yankees ace Cole opts out of contract

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:01

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract Saturday, leaving the team with the ability to ensure he remains in pinstripes by adding an additional year at $36 million to the four years and $144 million that had been remaining on the contract, sources told ESPN.

Cole, 34, has been among the best pitchers in baseball over the course of his first five years with the Yankees, winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2023. After an elbow injury sidelined him for the first 2 months of the 2024 season, he returned to make 17 starts, posting a 3.41 ERA and striking out 99 over 95 innings while walking 29 and allowing 11 home runs.

Cole's opt-out comes days after he started a Game 5 loss in the World Series. Following four no-hit innings, the Los Angeles Dodgers scored five unearned runs off Cole, with two errors and a miscommunication between Cole and first baseman Anthony Rizzo leading to the deluge.

The Yankees have until Sunday night to invalidate Cole's opt-out by making the remainder of his deal five years at $180 million, sources said.

The expectation is that the Yankees will add the $36 million to keep Cole at the top of their rotation and ensure that they don't potentially lose multiple integral players, with star outfielder Juan Soto hitting free agency. Should New York decline its option to void Cole's opt-out, Cole would join a strong class of starting pitchers that includes Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell -- also represented by Cole's agent, Scott Boras -- Max Fried, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Yusei Kikuchi, Nick Pivetta, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, who opted out of his deal with the New York Mets and will be a free agent, according to sources.

Before the 2020 season, Cole signed the largest free agent contract ever for a pitcher: nine years and $324 million. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, second in 2021 and ninth in 2022 before winning the award in 2023, posting an AL-best 2.63 ERA with a league-high 209 innings.

An elbow injury sustained in spring training this year delayed Cole's debut until June 19. While his average fastball velocity dipped by about 1 mph from last year and 2 mph from 2022, Cole's five-pitch mix -- which includes a curveball, slider, cutter and changeup -- remained effective.

In five postseason starts this year, Cole posted a 2.17 ERA over 29 innings with 22 strikeouts, 10 walks and 1 home run allowed. Over his career, Cole is 11-6 with a 2.77 ERA in 22 playoff starts.

Read 27 times

Soccer

Costa Rican club threatens FIFA suit for CWC spot

Costa Rican club threatens FIFA suit for CWC spot

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe winningest team in Costa Rica is asking FIFA for a spot in next...

Ex-Man United star Mata buys stake in San Diego

Ex-Man United star Mata buys stake in San Diego

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Spain international and World Cup winner Juan Mata has joine...

New owners seek Klopp's aid to transform Paris FC

New owners seek Klopp's aid to transform Paris FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Arnault family, owners of the LVMH luxury empire, plan to draw...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Knicks-Spurs to have Disney alt-cast on Dec. 25

Knicks-Spurs to have Disney alt-cast on Dec. 25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBRISTOL, Conn. -- Mickey Mouse and many of Disney's iconic characte...

Hartenstein set to make season debut for OKC

Hartenstein set to make season debut for OKC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Oklahoma City Thunder's stint without a center will end Wednesd...

Baseball

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSen. Dick Durbin plans to introduce the Fair Ball Act, a bill that...

Manfred expecting Sasaki to sign after Jan. 15

Manfred expecting Sasaki to sign after Jan. 15

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- With uncertainty looming over when Japanese baseball st...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated