Yankees retain $144M deal advantage despite initial rejection

New York Yankees keep their ace on the mound. According to ESPN’s Jeff PassanCole remains with the Yankees on a four-year, $144 million contract that he originally turned down. Discussions about a potential contract extension will continue, Passan said.

Yankees retain Gerrit Cole’s $144 million contract

Cole and the Yankees agreed to stay together, despite initial expectations that the world-class pitcher would explore his options as a free agent. After initially turning down the deal, Cole agreed to remain with the Yankees as both sides plan to continue negotiations over a contract extension within a week. It’s the same as if Cole hadn’t refused.

Cole, 34, signed a nine-year, $324 million deal with New York back in 2019. Over the past five years, he has established himself as the Yankees’ ace, pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 125 career starts with the club. . Cole won the Cy Young Award last season after posting a league-best 2.63 ERA with a .789 win-loss percentage.

With four years left on the deal, Cole was interested in walking away from it and testing the market to see if there was bigger money available elsewhere. However, the world-class pitcher changed his mind and agreed to remain with the Yankees.

Now that Cole’s future is solidified in the Bronx, the Yankees will turn their attention to their other stars, namely Juan Soto. General manager Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner will have some big decisions to make as they empty their pockets trying to get the stripes back to the World Series next season.