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After a largely successful season that once again fell just short, the New York Yankees have done what the New York Yankees have been known to do: make a massive free-agent signing.
According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, former first overall draft pick and Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole has agreed to a 9-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Cole signed a 9-year, $324 million deal that will pay the All-Star pitcher $36 million per year, which is the biggest per year deal for a player in the history of Major League Baseball. Additionally, the deal is the most ever for a pitcher and is the second-longest contract ever for a free-agent pitcher behind Wayne Garland’s 10-year deal with the Cleveland Indians back in 1976.
For further perspective of just how massive Cole’s deal is, ESPN’s Aiden Gonzalez points out that the pitcher’s contract is worth just $1 million less than “Angel Stadium and the 133 acres of rope, undeveloped land that surrounds it.”
Gerrit Cole cost $1M less than Angel Stadium and the 133 acres of ripe, undeveloped land that surrounds it. Unreal.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 11, 2019
As a result of the signing, the New York Yankees are now the betting favorite to win the 2020 World Series at +400 odds.
Adding a pitcher with the talent of Cole is obviously a massive win for the defending AL East champions, as Cole became the 18th pitcher in major league history to strike out at least 300 batters in a season last year.
The 29-year-old pitcher’s career with the Yankees will likely begin on Opening Day when the Yankees take on the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com