Gerrit Cole, the star pitcher for the New York Yankees, has opted out of his contract just days after the team lost the World Series to the the star pitcher for the New York Yankees, has opted out of his contract just days after the team lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the Yankees still have a chance to retain Cole. He has four years remaining on his current $144 million contract, but the Yankees hold the option to extend it for an additional year at a cost of $36 million.
The 34-year-old Cole is recognized as one of the top pitchers in the league, but he faced criticism for a crucial mistake during Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers that contributed to the team’s collapse. With two outs and the bases loaded, Mookie Betts hit a sharp ground ball to Anthony Rizzo, but Cole neglected to cover first base, allowing Betts to reach safely and enabling the Dodgers to score.
Following that blunder, the Yankees squandered a 5-0 lead, and the Dodgers rallied to tie the game 5-5 before ultimately winning 7-6, securing their eighth World Series title.
“I just didn’t realize how hard he hit it, and by the time the ball got by me, I was out of position to cover first,” Cole explained after the game. “Neither of us were able to react based on the spin of the ball and Rizzo needing to secure it. It was just a bad read off the bat.”
Cole’s decision to opt out was anticipated, given the lucrative opportunities available to him. It would be surprising if the Yankees chose to let him go. Earlier in the season, Cole missed time due to an elbow issue, raising concerns about potential surgery that could have sidelined him for the year.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are also facing a tough challenge in retaining Juan Soto, who is entering free agency amid significant interest from several teams willing to offer substantial contracts. Soto, 26, is expected to receive multi-year offers starting at around $600 million, with the Mets and Dodgers rumored to be competing with the Yankees for his services.
In another development, the Yankees announced on Saturday that they will not be retaining Anthony Rizzo, indicating they will need to seek a new first baseman.
