Gerrit Cole signs stratospheric record-breaking deal with Yankees, to earn $324 million

Two days ago, Stephen Strasburg signed a deal, or rar re-signed with Washington Nationals in a record deal worth $245 million, $70 million more than his previous deal with Nationals. On Tuesday night, Major League Baseball (MLB) universe was stunned as New York Yankees decided to go one better. New York Yankees have secured signature of MLB’s man of hour, Gerrit Cole, according to Jon Heyman of Athletic.

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New York Yankees sign Gerrit Cole in a record deal

According to report by Athletic, Gerrit Cole will sign a reported nine-year, $324M deal with New York Yankees. Gerrit Cole contract will see deal rank as fourth-largest overall in history of baseball, behind only Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Bryce Harper ($330 million) and Giancarlo Stanton ($325 million). Interestingly, Gerrit Cole's nine-year deal with New York Yankees will be longest contract for any pitcher in last two decades. Only Mike Hampton's eight-year contract with Colorado Rockies comes anywhere near Gerrit Cole deal. Also, he becomes highest paid pitcher in MLB.

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New York Yankees quick to draw

Gerrit Cole reportedly had interest from Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. New York Yankees, however, pipped two Los Angeles teams to offer Gerrit Cole record-breaking deal. Cole w has highest annual aver value in league, eclipsing Stephen Strasburg's deal with Washington Nationals. Gerrit Cole's stratospheric deal is bound to send major ripples across league. His move to Yankees, however, is anything but surprising. Yankees reportedly made ir interest clear in former Houston Astros pitcher days ago before MLB Winter Meetings. His record-breaking $324 million deal is perhaps an unintentional tribute to all 326 batters Cole struck out for Houston Astros in 2019. 

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