With the news that superstar pitcher Stephen Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million deal to remain with the World Series champion Washington Nationals, the focus for the New York Yankees and other teams looking for an ace this offseason fully shifts to free agent Gerrit Cole.
The Yankees -- as well as the two Los Angeles teams, the Dodgers and Angels -- are believed to be the favorites to land the three-time All-Star, who led the American League in ERA and the majors in strikeouts in 2019.
Not so fast, because as WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reports, there is a new mystery team in the mix in the Cole sweepstakes.
Hear there's a mystery team on Cole. Hard to imagine anyone thinks they are coming in late and outbidding the Yankees and 2 LA teams (even if one's in Anaheim). No idea the identity of said team, but that's why it's a mystery.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2019The Bombers made an undisclosed offer to Cole on Monday night, Heyman reported. ESPN reported it was a record-breaking deal, surpassing the seven-year, $217 million deal David Price signed with the Boston Red Sox in December 2015. Cole is expected to sign for at least $250 million.
Cole was 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings pitched. He finished runner-up in the 2019 Cy Young voting behind his fellow Astros teammate Justin Verlander.
No pitcher in MLB history has ever gotten a contract worth over $250 million. Cole could very well be the first whenever his deal becomes official.
Cole is expected to be a "huge" number now. Forget the new 245M pitching record. The better markers: 300M, 326M (double 1st CC deal, 330M free agent player record (Harper), 350M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2019Especially when you get teams like the Yankees and Angels in a bidding war, anything is possible.
