The Houston Astros gave Gerrit Cole a qualifying offer, which would allow the team to get a compensatory draft pick if the free agent pitcher signs elsewhere.
In addition to offering Cole, the Astros also reinstated pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel was selected to the 40-man roster and the Astros declined their 2020 club option on relief pitcher Chris Devenski, who will remain with the club as an arbitration eligible player.
The qualifying offer is for one year, $17.8 million and a player has 10 days to accept or reject the offer.
Astros tendered Gerrit Cole a qualifying offer, selected LHP Kent Emanuel to the 40-man roster, reinstated Lance McCullers Jr from the 60-day IL & declined their 2020 option on Chris Devenski, who will stay with the club as an arb-eligible player.40-man stands at 34 players.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) November 4, 2019Astros owner Jim Crane told reporters Monday determining the length of a contract for Cole would be challenging.
"We're going to take a run at it. We don't know if we can get to where they want to get," Crane said. "Boras is tough to deal with. Last year, you saw a lot of those trades, those big trades, work really late. I don't think that's good for the market. So, hopefully they get Gerrit out of the way and free up the market so everybody can go to work."
