The New York Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole agreed on Monday to add a fifth year and $36 million after Cole opted out of his four-year, $144 million contract over the weekend. With the Yankees essentially voiding Cole's opt-out decision, the 34-year-old will now be owed $180 million through the 2029 season. The former first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of UCLA won the American League Cy Young award in 2023 but had the start of his 2024 campaign delayed by right-elbow issues. Cole finished with an 8-5 record, 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 99:29 K:BB in 95 innings over his 17 regular-season starts. Although he looked good in the playoffs, Cole has had a concerning trend of his strikeout rate falling for the third straight year to 25.4% in 2024. Still, as long as he's healthy heading into the start of next season, he should be a No. 1 fantasy starter.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole exercised his player option and opted out of his contract with New York on Saturday. The move had been expected and shouldn't be considered a shock by any means. The Yankees have the option to void his opt out by adding one year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million Cole has on his contract. If the Yankees do not void the opt out then Cole will become a free agent. The Yankees' ace originally signed a nine year, $324 million contract in 2020 and posted a 3.12 ERA in 759 innings as a Yankee. If he hits the open market the 34-year-old will likely be the top pitcher available. Dynasty managers shouldn't stress much about Cole's future as the former Cy Young award winner is likely to continue to produce regardless of where he ends up.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Cole is expected to be followed in the rotation by left-hander Carlos Rodon in Game 2 on Saturday, right-hander Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 on Monday in the Bronx and right-hander Luis Gil in Game 4 on Tuesday. Cole, who got a late start in 2024 due to an injury and made only 17 starts during the regular season, has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 19 hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out 12 in three playoff starts (16 1/3 innings) this October. The 2023 American League Cy Young winner hasn't been all that dominant in the postseason this year and will face one of the best offenses in baseball in Game 1 of the World Series.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole lasted just 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday, but the bullpen was able to stymie the Guardians the rest of the way in Game 2, leading to a 6-3 win to go up 2-0 in the series. Cole unraveled in the fifth inning when he allowed two walks, two singles, and a sacrifice fly before being lifted, having thrown 89 pitches in the outing. In all, the 34-year-old allowed two earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters. If the Guardians are able to extend the series to six games, Cole would get another shot at them to bounce back. Otherwise, his next turn would come in the World Series.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is expected to start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Cole received two starts in the ALDS and held a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 12 innings of work. In Game 1, Cole allowed three runs across five frames in a no-decision. However, in the series-clinching victory in Game 4, Cole led the way by tossing seven innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hits, no walks, and struck out four en route to earning the victory. This summer, the reigning AL Cy Young winner logged 95 innings to the tune of a 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 29:99 BB:K. DFS managers should always consider putting Cole in their lineup given how deep he typically pitches into games and for his high-strikeout upside.
Gerrit Cole Dominates Royals In Series-Clinching Win
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was fantastic in Game 4 of their ALDS series against the Kansas City Royals, throwing seven innings of one-run ball en route to a 3-1 victory. Cole allowed six hits and no walks while striking out four. Although his last start wasn't terrible, Cole will feel much better about this one. He should line up to pitch early in the ALCS and will start twice if the series gets extended. The Yankees are in a very good spot if Cole continues to pitch like he did today.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will take the mound in Thursday's American League Division Series Game 4 against the Royals. He will be opposed by Michael Wacha. The 34-year-old, who missed the first few months of the season due to right elbow inflammation, had an erratic regular season but finished at 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 25.4% strikeout rate in 17 starts and 95 innings pitched. Cole did not pitch well in Game 1 of the series, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five IP. However, he owns a stellar career 3.05 post-season ERA in 18 starts and 109 1/3 IP. His historic success is encouraging, but his most recent outing does not inspire a ton of confidence for DFS leagues.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole dominated the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, tossing 6 shutout frames in a 10-1 victory. Cole allowed just two hits and a walk while punching out five in this one. The 34-year-old veteran has looked like himself since the start of August, allowing three or fewer runs in nine of his 10 starts since then. His upward turn is a good sign for the Yankees heading into the postseason, and a good sign for fantasy managers that are hoping he can return to ace level in 2025.
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) will make his next turn in the starting rotation this Sunday at Wrigley Field versus the hosting Chicago Cubs. Yankees fans and Cole's fantasy managers were holding their collective breath on Tuesday night when the 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young winner was forced to leave his start early on Monday against the Texas Rangers, but it turned out to be only because of a right-calf cramp. He will be ready to go on Sunday in a pretty neutral pitching matchup, but fantasy managers will want to roll him out there in their starting lineups. Cole got a late start to his 2024 season due to a right-elbow injury, but he appears to be rounding into midseason form at just the right time and has a 1.85 ERA with 40 K's and 11 walks in 34 innings in his last six starts since Aug. 4.
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) left his start on Monday against the Texas Rangers early with a trainer at Globe Life Field in the seventh inning and was pointing at his calf when he departed. Before leaving, Cole had allowed just one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out nine in six innings of work. We won't know the severity of his calf injury until the team does some tests, so fantasy managers will want to check back later Monday evening or Tuesday morning. The Yankees and fantasy managers alike can ill-afford Cole to miss any time down the stretch, and an injury at this point could end up sidelining the ace through the rest of the month. Cole came into Monday's start on a strong five-start stretch in which he had a 1.93 ERA with 31 punchouts and 10 walks in 28 innings pitched. UPDATE: Cole left with a right-calf cramp, according to the team.
Gerrit Cole
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Yankees
