New York Yankees star pitcher Gerrit Cole is amongst the highest-paid baseball players in 2021. In 2019, the Yankees got Cole onboard for a hefty sum, hoping he would take them to new heights.

The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole on a $324 million contract, the fourth largest deal in MLB history. Interestingly, he is also the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.

New York Yankees have a nine-year contract with Gerrit Cole

Cole was part of the Houston Astros, before becoming a free agent in 2019. Yankees had set sight on him, ever since he defeated them alongside the Houston Astros in ALCS 2018. So when Cole was up for grabs, the Yankees signed a huge nine-year deal, making a record-buy.

Yankees are paying $36 million per year to their ace pitcher, and his contract will end in 2028. However, Cole has the player’s opt-out option in the contract after 2024. Before joining the New York Yankees, Cole was earning $20.25 million with Houston Astros.

Gerrit has a net worth of $50 million, which majorly comes from his deal with Yankees.

Cole’s journey with the New York Yankees

It would be unfair to say that the New York Yankees paid too much for Gerrit Cole. Post joining the Yankees, Cole became the second-best starting pitcher in 2020. In his second season with the Yankees, he finished with 16-8, walking 41 hitters, sending out 243 batters.

However, everything fell short, when he couldn’t produce his best start on the biggest stage. On Tuesday, the Yankees faced their biggest rivals, Boston Red Sox, for the final AL Wild card spot. While expectations from Cole were high, he ended up leaving the field after the third innings, because of his poor pitching. Notably, this was the shortest innings that he had pitched in his entire career.

After a disappointing performance, and the worst start of his career, what do you think his future with the Yankees will look like?

Also read: “That’s the Right Move”: Gerrit Cole Defends Shocking Pull Out of New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Game