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By Joey Copponi
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Major League Baseball free-agent class is loaded with star power and just got one more notable reinforcement -- at least for the time being.
Three days after pitching the final game of the 2024 World Series, Gerrit Cole has reportedly opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees.
"New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract, sources tell me and Jeff Passan," ESPN's Kiley McDaniel reported Saturday. "The Yankees can void the opt-out by adding one year and $36 million to the four years and $144 million that Cole had remaining on his deal."
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Cole faced some backlash following his start in Game 5 of the World Series, despite having zero earned runs in his 6 2/3 innings pitched. With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Cole failed to cover first base on a Mookie Betts grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The blunder not only allowed a run to score, but extended an inning that would eventually see the Dodgers erase a 5-0 deficit.
"I took a bad angle to the ball." Cole told reporters, "I wasn't sure how hard he hit it. By the time the ball got by me, I was not in a position to cover first. Neither of us were."
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Until the Yankees make a decision to pick up Cole's option or not, Yankees fans are left to speculate if that error, and subsequent collapse, will be the final appearance Cole makes in a Yankees uniform.
Cole finished the 2024 season with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts, his second-highest ERA in his five years with the Yankees, and his lowest number of starts in a full season by a wide margin. By opting out, the righty heads into his age-34 season asking for a five-year and $180 million commitment from the New York Yankees.
If the Yankees decline to add the extra year and $36 million, Gerrit Cole will be a free agent, joining aces Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.
More MLB: Mets Veteran Intends to Opt Out of Contract: Report
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