Recent reports indicate that ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is likely to remain with the New York Yankees, a move that’s sparking lots of conversations among fans and analysts alike. He has the option to extend his existing contract by adding another year for $36 million, but insiders from ESPN suggest that Cole prefers to stick with his current four-year, $144 million deal. However, that doesn’t mean negotiations are off the table; there are ongoing discussions concerning an extension that could further influence his future with the team.
As a seasoned player at the age of 34, Cole made waves recently when he opted out of his original nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees. This big decision came shortly after the team’s disappointing five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. For the Yankees management, the clock was ticking — they had until 5 p.m. ET on a recent Monday to respond to Cole’s decision to opt out.
That World Series experience didn’t end on a high note for him or his team. In Game 5, things took a dramatic turn when the Yankees had a commanding 5-0 lead but allowed their momentum to slip away due to some costly mistakes made in the fifth inning. One pivotal moment stemmed from confusion during a ground ball hit by Mookie Betts. Rather than stepping on first base and securing the out, Anthony Rizzo hesitated, while Cole failed to cover the base, leading to an unfortunate sequence of events.
Reflecting on that crucial moment after the game, Cole expressed, “I approached the ball poorly. I misjudged its speed, and by the time it got past me, I was out of position to cover first base. Neither of us were.” His honesty about the situation resonates with anyone who has faced pressure and made mistakes; it’s a reminder that even top professionals can falter under intense scrutiny.
After Betts’ hit, things spiraled quickly for the Yankees when Freddie Freeman connected for a two-run single, followed by Hernández’s game-tying double. The final nail in the coffin came when Cole ended up throwing a career-high 108 pitches before being replaced, as reliever Tommy Kahnle struggled to maintain the slim lead the team held until the eighth inning.
In a surprising turn for the Yankees, they’ve opted against exercising the $20 million club option on Rizzo, allowing him to enter free agency. It’s a strategic decision that may open doors for new talent but leaves fans wondering what next season will hold.
Cole had a turbulent season, starting with inflammation in his right elbow during spring training. Thankfully, he avoided surgery, but his recovery took nearly three months, significantly impacting his game. He finally returned to the mound for his first start post-injury on June 19, stepping back into a high-pressure environment that defines being a top-tier pitcher.
Despite the rocky start to the season, Cole began to regain his footing just in time for the playoffs. Finishing with an 8-5 record and a 3.41 ERA across 95 innings — a noticeable drop from the previous year’s 209 innings, during which he clinched the American League Cy Young Award — Cole made waves with his playoff performance. Especially in the World Series, he seemed to be in his element.
Combining his efforts in Games 1 and 5, Cole allowed just one earned run from eight hits, tallied 10 strikeouts, and issued four walks. Those statistics not only speak to his talent but also to his resilience and determination to fight back after a season filled with challenges. For Yankees fans and baseball lovers alike, his journey serves as a powerful reminder that persistence often pays off, even when faced with uncertainty and setbacks.
