Gerrit Cole is the most dependable pitcher of the New York Yankees. He is their ace hurler. Last year, the Bronx Bombers did not have a great season. There were a lot of injuries to deal with. And as they did not have a balanced squad owing to a long Injured List, they could not make it to the postseason. It was the first time since 2016 that the NY side could not qualify for the playoffs. Moreover, they finished with a terrible 82-80 record. Nothing really went the Yankees way last year. However, it was the rookie Anthony Volpe and the veteran pitcher Gerrit Cole who gave the NY side something to cheer for.

Volpe became the first Yankees rookie to win a Gold Glove. On the other hand, Gerrit Cole won his first Cy Young award. He had been a nominee for the same category on the past two occasions. Arguably, Cole is the best pitcher in baseball. Finally, he won the Cy Young Award, which he had deserved for so many years. Currently, the Yankees don’t have another ace pitcher in Cole’s class. Perhaps a nine-year deal is not long enough for the love Cole and the Bronx Bombers have for each other.

Yankees Might Have To Pay Extra To Retain Gerrit Cole After 2028

Gerrit Cole reached the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2019. But he could not be a world champion that year. Later, when he signed a nine-year deal with the Yankees worth $324 million, he dreamt of winning the World Series. However, the NY side is yet to make it to the “Big Dance” for the first time since 2009. Cole is 33 years old right now. He has an opt-out clause after the 2024 season. Top pitchers like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are two years younger than him. Even then, Snell and Montgomery are finding it hard to sign with an MLB side ahead of the 2024 season.

In such circumstances, Gerrit Cole would not like to use his opt-out clause. Anyway, he said earlier that he has always been a Yankee fan. For the next four years, Cole will be worth $144 million in salary. Recently, Bob Nightengale of USA Today said the Yankees can extend Cole’s contract to 2029 giving him $36 million extra. Anyway, he had a contract till 2028. Hence, for 2029, Cole can earn as much as $36 million, as per Nightengale. 

Despite His Age, The AL 2023 Cy Young Winner Is Still Numero Uno

Albeit, the team has not performed very well in the last few years, Gerrit Cole has been in an incredible touch. He keeps proving that he is a superstar of the New York Yankees. And he aims to help his team make the “Fall Classic.” The veteran pitcher has been in a commanding form. Moreover, he has been showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. On the list of top pitchers in the American League, Cole is still number one.

Corbin Burnes of the Baltimore Orioles ranks number two behind Cole. And then there is Kevin Gausman, the right-handed pitcher of the Toronto Blue Jays, at number three. Last year, Gerrit Cole had the best season of his career. He would like to repeat that in 2024 to help the Yankees win the World Series after a long time. 

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