Yankees’ Gerrit Cole puts aside winter fiasco, holds promise for another big season

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The narrative surrounding Gerrit Cole‘s offseason briefly centered on an unexpected plot twist—a potential venture into free agency. Following his decision to opt out of the remaining four years and $144 million of his Yankees contract, questions swirled about whether the reigning American League Cy Young winner might explore alternative opportunities beyond the Bronx.

Yet as Cole settles into his routine at George M. Steinbrenner Field for Spring Training 2025, it’s clear that his heart never wavered from New York. The resolution of his contract situation, which maintains his presence in pinstripes through 2028, reflects a mutual commitment between the ace and the organization.

“The intention wasn’t to do anything other than stay,” Cole emphasized, addressing his offseason decision. “I was happy to be where my feet were, back in Yankee Stadium.”

While the Yankees chose not to nullify his opt-out clause—a move that would have extended his contract with an additional year at $36 million—Cole and his representative Scott Boras ultimately honored the original agreement. Despite initial hesitation from Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner regarding contract extension discussions, transparent communication between all parties facilitated Cole’s seamless return under existing terms.

Showcase of consistent excellence

The significance of Cole’s decision to remain with the Yankees wasn’t lost on manager Aaron Boone, who acknowledged the competitive nature of the pitching market for elite talents.

“You never know; great pitchers are obviously really attractive on the market,” Boone reflected. “As great as he is and has been, you never know.”

Since his landmark $324 million signing in 2019, Cole has exemplified rotation leadership for the Yankees. Now entering his sixth season in New York, the 34-year-old right-hander prepares for what will be his fifth Opening Day start for the franchise.

Though injury disrupted his 2024 regular season, Cole’s postseason excellence reinforced his status among baseball’s elite pitchers:

• Regular Season (17 starts): 8-5 record, 3.41 ERA
• Postseason Performance (5 starts): 2.17 ERA
• World Series Showing (2 starts): 3.00 ERA

His compelling performances against the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, despite not recording a victory, further cemented his reputation for playoff excellence. However, falling short of championship glory has intensified his competitive drive.

“We’re really proud of what we did, and at the same time, we walked away from the season with a bitter taste in our mouths,” Cole acknowledged. “It was a real terrible feeling. As a competitor, you don’t enjoy those situations, but every time you step on the field, it makes you tougher.”

Early preparation sets positive tone

Cole’s 2025 spring preparation marks a significant improvement over last year when elbow concerns delayed his season debut until June. Pitching coach Matt Blake highlighted the challenges Cole faced in 2024, essentially conducting his spring training mid-season.

“He was essentially trying to do a Spring Training in the middle of the season,” Blake noted. “He took his lumps a little bit, but I felt like we got a really high-end version of him down the stretch.”

Following an intensive offseason throwing regimen, Cole has arrived at camp ahead of schedule, demonstrating promising indicators:

• Velocity readings between 92-94 mph, reaching 95 mph
• Advanced progress in facing live batters
• Enhanced arm conditioning from a shortened offseason

Blake emphasizes the organization’s careful monitoring of Cole’s velocity patterns, particularly given the evolution of recovery processes with age. However, confidence in Cole’s preparedness remains high.

“There’s a lot of confidence that the work has been put in for him to be ready to go,” Blake stated. “It was a short offseason for all of us, but in some ways, it was probably good for him. He didn’t have a lot of downtime to let the arm get stiff. That’s a big thing as guys age; the arm changes a little bit, so just keep it moving.”

Cole, Fried lead Yankees’ formidable staff

The Yankees project exceptional rotation strength for 2025, bolstered by the addition of two-time All-Star Max Fried from the Atlanta Braves. Cole expresses enthusiasm about collaborating with Fried, anticipating further development under the Yankees’ resources.

“It’s just been a pleasure to watch him go about his work,” Cole praised Fried. “Like all great players, he’s a really disciplined guy. He really cares about his teammates, fitting in, and winning. Every rep, you can see his focus and his concentration. It’ll set a good example for our young guys, and he’s a great addition for our club.”

The rotation, featuring Cole, Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, positions the Yankees among the American League’s premier pitching staff. Additional depth options include Marcus Stroman (pending trade discussions) and JT Brubaker.

Championship aspirations drive forward progress

While Cole’s individual achievements continue to accumulate, including his second Cy Young Award in 2023, his primary focus remains fixed on securing a World Series championship for New York.

The expectations established during Cole’s initial signing in 2019 centered on multiple championships, as emphasized by Hal Steinbrenner. Despite reaching the World Series last season, the ultimate goal remains unfulfilled.

“It’s another log on your fire that inspires you to put the work in when no one is watching,” Cole reflected. “It’s what fuels you, to a certain extent.”

As spring training progresses, Cole demonstrates readiness for another season of frontline responsibilities. With rotation excellence complementing an offense anchored by Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees enter 2025 with heightened expectations.

Cole’s commitment, Fried’s integration, and collective motivation from last year’s World Series disappointment position the Yankees to potentially end their 16-year championship drought in a compelling fashion.

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