When the New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season, they knew they were getting one of the best pitchers in baseball. At the time, Cole was the only pitcher to have bagged such an expensive contract. But to be fair, the thrower had earned it with his staggering performance with the Houston Astros.
Gerrit Cole, who is currently in his fourth season of the contract, lived up to the hype and emerged as one of the best pitchers in the league. His contributions could not lift the Yankees to World Series contention. But, his personal accomplishments are soaring with each passing year. As Cole continues his dream run, he is expected to hit a historic milestone very soon.
Gerrit Cole Likely To Unlock 200-Win Historic Mark!
The New York Yankees went spiraling down this year. But ace pitcher Gerrit Cole has remained the only positive outcome. In 31 starts so far, he posted a 2.81 ERA with 208 strikeouts. Moreover, he is set to secure his maiden CY Young Award this season. Having said that, there’s another milestone awaiting Cole. The pitcher, who has been in the business for a decade, has secured 143 career wins. If he continues to dominate for the next couple of years, Cole could hit the magical 200-win mark sooner than anticipated. The 200-win mark is a historic milestone for a pitcher. Only 122 throwers in the past have succeeded in unlocking the feat.
Moreover, with the game constantly evolving and the efficiency of the pitchers reducing, Gerrit Cole could be the last one to hit the mark. Cole, for a fact, loves winning. “I mean, you only get to play twice a week at the most. And the fact that every time you play, you’ve got a good chance of winning the game — that’s the ultimate goal of everybody in the room,” added the Yankees pitcher. Having said that, it’s not just about the numbers with Cole. It’s about the impact he’s had on the Yanks and the fear he strikes into the hearts of opposing batters. When Cole takes the mound, there’s an aura of inevitability. A feeling that he’s going to dominate the game and give the Yanks a chance to win, regardless of the circumstances. That is what makes him a special talent.
Yankees Ace Is Now The Favorite To Win CY Young This Year!
Before hitting the 200-win mark, Gerrit Cole is anticipated to secure his career’s first CY Young Award. His betting odds are down to -2200 at FanDuel Sportsbook. While he failed to grab the award twice in 2019 and 2021, he is likely to cross the finish line this year. Cole is leading Junior Circuit in ERA (2.81) and innings (192).
The Cy Young Award is a prestigious honor and one that Gerrit Cole is certainly deserving of. As the 2023 season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Gerrit Cole as he inches closer to the ultimate milestone. It’s a milestone that reaffirms his status as one of the game’s premier pitchers and a symbol of his enduring excellence.
