After weeks of trying, the New York Yankees have gotten their man, and they have handed out the largest contract in the history of baseball for a pitcher in order to do so.
The Yankees and free agent starting pitcher Gerrit Cole have agreed to a 9-year contract worth $324 million, making Cole the richest pitcher in the history of the game.
Both the overall $324 million value of the deal and the $36 million annual salary that the California native will receive are the highest figures that any pitcher has been awarded in the league’s history.
Cole was the most sought-after name on the free-agent market this offseason after a dominant two-year run with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019. Cole finished second in Cy Young voting this year after posting a stellar 20-5 record with a 2.50 ERA for the American League pennant winners.
The 29-year-old pitcher led the league in strikeouts last season as well with 326.
Multiple teams, including the Dodgers, Angels, and the Astros, were in the market for his services, but New York ultimately offered the most appealing contract for the superstar righty.
Cole is expected to be presented to Yankee fans and the New York media at Yankee Stadium next week.
