After exercising an opt-out clause in his contract over the weekend, Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees agreed to remain together Monday afternoon. In an odd twist, Cole opted out, but the Yankees did not exercise a fifth-year option. Instead, the two sides decided to essentially act as if nothing had transpired. Nothing to see here. Never mind.
ESPN quoted Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, as saying “It was something at the moment we weren’t necessarily comfortable doing, but we wanted our player and our ace back, and he certainly didn’t want to go either at the same time.” Cashman continued, “And so we had a lot of healthy dialogue about trying to just thread the needle and just keep it in play.“ Will this be a good move for both parties?
The Timing Of the Gerrit Cole Decision Seemed Rushed
Given how soon after Gerrit Cole melted down in Game 5 of the World Series, the Yankees felt the decision was perhaps ill-timed. Cashman diplomatically suggested as much. Cashman had this to say in an ESPN article. “No, I don’t look at it as anything other than more conversations we’re having after the opt-out than probably should have happened before the opt-out,” Cashman answered. “And so I think it’s easier to try to understand and find common ground with each other when you’re having the conversations versus a contractual right you exercise and now the other side has to do things instead.
“It felt like we were going to be in a safe harbor where we were both willing to move forward with the four years that was in play and continue obviously to have conversations,” Cashman said. “But there’s no pressure point with any conversations. We’re always open to talk about future years, but right now we don’t have to because it’s a four-year locked-in commitment, and it’s on to our next focus.”
Cole’s Excitement Regarding a Return
Many Yankees fans may be wondering if Gerrit Cole is happy remaining a New York Yankee for the next four years. He lost Game 5 and ultimately the series and then asked for more money. Maybe not the best look for Gerrit Cole. To his credit, Cashman placed a positive spin on the matter.
According to ESPN, Cashman stated, “I think he’s happy where he’s at.” I think he likes our setup. I think he likes playing for who he’s playing for and working for. And I think he likes his teammates, and I think he thinks we have a legitimate chance to win. And sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, and so that goes for us, too. I know we’d prefer not to be trying to look to how we’re going to replace our ace.”
Next Up For the New York Yankees – Juan Soto
With the Gerrit Cole mini-crisis averted, the New York Yankees can turn their full attention to the most pressing offseason matter in literally decades, re-signing outfielder Juan Soto. One thing is for sure. Signing Soto won’t happen as quickly as the Gerrit Cole blip this past weekend.
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