Yankees secure Gerrit Cole for now, pushing extension discussion to a future date

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The New York Yankees have committed to keeping Gerrit Cole in their rotation. According to reporter Mark Fersaing, Cole has agreed to stay with the team under his current four-year, $144 million deal, a contract he initially opted out of.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post added that while both sides have shown mutual interest in a contract extension, they decided to delay those discussions. This approach allows Cole to remain with the Yankees for now, leaving potential extension talks for a later date. Minutes after Fersaing broke the news, Heyman confirmed Cole’s decision to continue his tenure with the Yankees.

Yankees and Gerrit Cole on the same page amid contract talks

This decision follows Gerrit Cole’s recent opt-out, a move that temporarily allowed him to explore his options, yet ultimately led to an agreement to remain with the Yankees.

On social media, Heyman tweeted, “Gerrit Cole and Yankees have agreed to stay together,” emphasizing the strong rapport between Cole and the franchise.

The right-hander originally joined the Yankees in 2019 on a nine-year, $324 million contract, the most lucrative deal for a pitcher at the time. That deal was intended to keep Cole in pinstripes through the 2028 season, by which point he will be 38. With four years remaining on the contract and a current annual value of $144 million, Cole and the Yankees appear set for continuity while leaving the door open for future negotiations.

Gerrit Cole’s 2024 season was marked by a slow start due to nerve inflammation, limiting him to 17 games with a record of 3.41 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and a 1.13 WHIP across 95 innings. These numbers, while solid, were a step down from his Cy Young-winning performance in 2023, when he unanimously captured the award and started the All-Star Game for the American League. Despite the setback, Cole remains a key part of the Yankees’ rotation and is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming season.

For the Yankees, this offseason extends beyond Gerrit Cole’s contract decision. The team faces several pivotal choices, including whether to retain or replace key players who are entering free agency. Outfielder Juan Soto, second baseman Gleyber Torres, and reliever Clay Holmes are among the names under review. Additionally, New York recently declined their options on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and pitcher Lou Trivino but chose to retain reliever Luke Weaver.

As one of the cornerstones of the Yankees’ pitching staff, Gerrit Cole’s decision to remain with the team offers stability as the organization navigates an offseason full of challenging roster decisions.

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