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By now you know that the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole late last night to a record-smashing contract. He agreed to a nine-year, $324 million deal with the Bombers, the largest payday for a pitcher in baseball history. The Yankees long coveted the ace right-hander, drafting him in 2008 and then trying to swing a trade for him in December 2017. Of course both times, though, they proved unsuccessful.
Yesterday, though, Cole changed the game. He dispelled the narratives that he wanted to pitch on the West Coast. Not only that, but he actively embraced the franchise. The Dodgers and Angels flexed their financial muscles and their geographic advantage, but that didn’t do enough to persuade the 29-year-old.
Consider what Jon Heyman had to say on the matter:
Belief is Gerrit Cole simply wanted to be a Yankee. Dodgers/Angels both were at about 300M (and likely would have gone a tad higher had he given go-ahead). Hometown thing over-rated. Yanks did nice job w/cutting-edge pitching coach Blake plus Pettitte, who knows about NY/winning
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019
“Gerrit Cole simply wanted to be a Yankee.”
The worst kept secret last season was how Manny Machado wanted to play for the Yankees. The Bombers didn’t share that enthusiasm, though. That disconnect led to a division in the fanbase, one that persisted all year long. There’s none of that, now, however. The Yankees wanted Cole, and Cole wanted the Yankees.
That enthusiasm deserves celebrating. Aaron Boone couldn’t contain his emotions last night, as Andy Martino says he pumped his fist in excitement along the walk to dinner. There are few times when fans can openly enjoy an achievement, and this is one of them. I hope you all take a moment to let it all sink in and appreciate it.