Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sharing the same dugout as his brother-in-law apparently wasn’t enough to entice Gerrit Cole to join the Giants.
Instead, the 2019 AL Cy Young Award runner-up has elected to sign the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history, joining the Yankees on a nine-year, $324 million contract, as reported by multiple outlets, first by Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal eclipses the $245 million offer given to Stephen Strasburg by the Washington Nationals on Monday.
Cole, who is married to Brandon Crawford’s sister, is coming off an exceptional 2019 season. The 29-year-old won his last 16 decisions, had the best ERA in the AL (2.50), had the most strikeouts in the majors (326) and went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 36 2/3 innings during the postseason.
The Giants were rumored to be the “mystery team” that was in pursuit of the right-hander, competing with the likes of the Yankees, Angels and Dodgers.
San Francisco did indeed sign a pitcher as well on Tuesday, though it now seems comical by comparison, in 29-year-old right-hander Kevin Gausman.
