Gerrit Cole will make $36 million in 2023. In fact, it was his annual salary until the end of his contract after the 2028 season. Before the Yankees re-signed Aaron Judge for a $40 million annual average salary for nine years, Gerrit Cole’s salary was the highest on the Yankees’ payroll. Giancarlo Stanton‘s salary of $32,000,000 will be the third highest.
The 2022 MLB Winter Meetings saw starting pitchers getting big contracts, though not as expansive as Gerrit Cole had. Justin Verlander got an $86.7 million and 2-year deal from the Mets. This makes the 39-year-old the highest-paid pitcher in the league with an annual pay of $43.5 million. He shares the top rank with another Mets’ starter Max Scherzer, who signed a 3-year, $130 million contract in 2022.
Jacob deGrom, who the Texas Rangers signed recently for $185 million spread over five years, is set to get $37 million a year. Gerrit Cole comes third considering his annual salary. He is followed by Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals ($35 million), Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers ($34 million), and David Price of the Red Sox ($31 million).
The Los Angeles Angels have committed an annual salary of $30 million to 2021 MVP Shohei Ohtani. Boston’s Chris Sale gets $29 million a year. Next is the Yankees’ newly-signed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, who is set to earn $22.8 million in 2023.
Two big deals were signed at the 2019 Winter Meetings, and they both happened on the same days. The first was Gerrit Cole, who signed with the New York Yankees for 9 years and $324 million. The second was when Anthony Rendon signed a 7-year, $245 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels the next night.
“Brian Cashman watching Gerrit Cole pitch against the Red Sox without Spider Tack knowing there’s still seven years and $252 million remaining on his contract, all over the age of 30.” – Jared Carrabis
Gerrit Cole and his Spider Tack allegations
Gerrit Cole then had the fourth most expensive deal in the MLB. However, he came after being accused of using Spider Tack, which is a substance made of resin that was first used by weightlifters to give them more grip. It eventually made its way to professional baseball. When pitchers used “sticky stuff,” they were able to make the ball spin faster. This made the fastballs go faster and gave the off-speed pitches more movement.
Gerrit Cole has been the most famous person who used it. Several players, like Josh Donaldson and Alek Manoah, have called him out for using the product. Josh Donaldson and Alek Manoah have both said on the record that Gerrit Cole cheats.
Where do you rank Gerrit Cole among the top starters in the MLB today? Leave your comment below.
