To help snap their World Series drought, the Yankees are preparing to break the bank to bring pitcher Gerrit Cole to New York.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Yankee ownership has given general manager Brian Cashman approval to ink the right-hander to a record-setting deal.
Cole, who pitched for the Astros last season and helped eliminate New York from the playoffs, is now in position to surpass Boston Red Sox lefty David Price’s record $217 million contract for a pitcher.
The 29-year-old righty went 20-5 with an American League-leading 2.50 ERA and a major-league-best 326 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings this season.
To get the ball rolling on a potential signing, New York sent Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, pitching coach Matt Blake and longtime Yankees star Andy Pettitte to meet with Cole in California. The team has also met with World Series MVP pitcher Stephen Strasburg, but signing Cole remains New York’s clear offseason priority.
“I’m sure they are going to be very thorough with their process,” Cashman said after meeting with both free agents.
"I'm sure they are going to be very thorough with their process."
– Brian Cashman after meeting with Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg pic.twitter.com/35EGL1npzu
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 6, 2019
For Cole, that process will also at least include a meeting with the Los Angeles Angels, who are also in need of top-line starting pitching and are one of the few teams in MLB that are ready and willing to pay for it.
New York and LA “are preparing for a bidding war that executives expect will reach well beyond $250 million,” according to ESPN sources.
While the market is not expected to be quite that strong for Strasburg, who opted out his contract with the Nationals, it is expected he’ll receive a deal of at least $180 million.
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