Some New York Yankees fans have been anxious about the possibility of their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole, opting out of his current contract to explore free agency this winter.
However, recent insights from a prominent MLB insider reveal that such fears may be unfounded, thanks to a specific clause in Cole’s contract that could keep him with the Yankees for the long haul.
Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, but doubts arose after he made only 12 starts in his first season, leading some to worry he might follow the path of other high-priced free agents who failed to live up to expectations. Unlike those players, however, Cole has largely justified the investment.
Over his five seasons with the team, Cole has proven himself as a reliable ace, earning six All-Star selections and even winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2023. Although he faced some struggles earlier this season due to injury, his recent resurgence has been vital to the Yankees’ strong performance in August.
With Cole reestablishing his status as one of the top pitchers in the American League, speculation has grown that he might opt out of the final four years and $144 million of his contract to test the waters of free agency.
This is particularly concerning for the Yankees, who could potentially face a bidding war with rivals for Cole and other stars like Juan Soto. However, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, a unique clause in Cole’s contract allows the Yankees to automatically extend his deal by adding a 10th year worth $36 million if he opts out, effectively guaranteeing that Cole will remain in pinstripes for the foreseeable future.
This clause not only provides the Yankees with security but also ensures they won’t have to compete with other teams for Cole’s services in a potentially volatile free-agent market.
