Yankees: An ideal contract for free agent starter Gerrit Cole

Free-agent ace Gerrit Cole is set to receive offers from several teams this week, one of which will be the Yankees. The Yanks are making Cole their number one priority this offseason. The question is how much will it take?

Cole could be the best pitcher to ever hit the free-agent market and the Yankees reportedly won’t be denied in getting him. The 29-year-old right-hander started off the 2019 season with a 1-4 record through his first six starts. He then went on a 19-1 stretch in which he did not lose a regular-season decision after May 22, an absolutely astonishing feat.

His best season was by-far the 2019 season, which will benefit his market value tremendously. The latest projections are calling for at least $250 million to be headed Cole’s way, but what exactly could be the price and conditions?

For starters, the Yankees will have to commit to seven years minimum. David Price and Scherzer were both 30-years-old when they received seven-year pacts. Cole will definitely want seven or eight years on his contract that will take him closer to retirement.

When it comes to the team culture, the Yankees have done their part there. The team’s history speaks for itself, and the newest addition of Matt Blake as pitching coach reportedly intrigued Cole. The Yanks are obviously in “Win Now” mode, as they have gone to the ALCS two out of the last three postseasons, which has reportedly been a component of Cole’s desires.

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Monetarily, Hal Steinbrenner has given Brian Cashman his approval to spend the money that is necessary to get Cole into pinstripes. If that is the case, best believe that Cashman is going to do all he can to secure the services of Cole.

Ideally, the best offer for Cole would be an 8-year, $280 million contract with a vesting option for a ninth season. This contract would carry an AAV of $35 million and would keep Cole under contract until he turns 37, possibly even 38-years-old if the vesting option is active. The money is there, but more importantly, the years are there.

The contract can also take his value north of $300 million if the option is vested, which would make him the fifth player in MLB history to secure a contract over that particular mark. He would be the first pitcher in history to do so as well unless a totally guaranteed contract is presented before then.

The Yankees have also built themselves a team that can win for many years to come. Cole will have his opportunity to win in the current time, as well as seven years down the road.

It is going to take a lot of money and commitment from the Yankees if they want to secure themselves a new ace. It has been over ten years since New York signed an ace to their roster, and this just might be the year.