The Yanks’ record with the thirtyish is mixed (jury still out on Stanton) and there is no guaranteed pennant here, particularly if the lineup fielded is is high OBS and higher strikeouts.
2
As they have for the last 100 years, the Yankees open up the bank vault.
1
As a Yankees fan since about 1956 (I'm now 69), I'm torn. I've always liked several other teams, and completely understand why Evil Empire "discussions" have always been justified.
But...the Bombers have had a very good, very entertaining (and actually very likeable), winning team the last few years - without having gone to the once-expected/inevitable completely over-the-top "Death Star - Obliterate Them All" spending stuff. Yeah, they've spent pretty big money on several guys recently. But (ignoring Stanton - massive contract but traded for) not massive NY-initiated, record contract spending, like in the Yankees-of-George days.
But not having won it all, and especially losing the last few years at the very end to teams that HAD spent (or deadline traded) massively for that one or two last "pieces"... Hmm. Is it...will it...be worth it?
I'm honestly not sure. Cole is no absolute guarantee, although - barring injury - he almost certainly won't hurt their championship prospects. And I guess I WOULD like to see one more championship in my lifetime. Okay, at least one more...
Anyway, hurry up, spring training!!
6
what kinda Yankees fan does not like this move? not sure but to me I love it I'm tired of Boston always rubbing it in so it's time to bring the empire back
1
What are the insurance premiums that the Yankees have to pay to protect themselves against Cole potentially throwing out his arm after one or two years of this nine year contract? I’m curious.
The waves will keep coming so you must learn how to surf.
I need a new way to deal with the Yankees. So, so tired of them spending the most to acquire the best players in the game (as if they didn't have enough). The table is always tilted in their favor.
How can I stop getting upset everytime this happens?
Isn't it amazing how long it's been since the Yankees won a world series?
(Maybe there is a god).
1
"How the Yankees Wooed Gerrit Cole... Gift boxes, visits from team legends and a record-breaking pile of money... ah, never mind mind... it was the pile of money..."
3
Luring Gerit Cole to the New York Yankees began with explaining Lucifer's role in all of those Yankees ' World' Series Championships.
While reminding Mr. Cole of Satan's continuing lust for his fabled first sports team.
And it ended with a willingness to pay more Benjamins for a person who will.play baseball every four to five days by pitching for 5 innings.
Not like running a marathon nor playing football aka soccer nor fighting in a boxing ring.
2
$325 Mil and you still gotta throw in gift boxes? What a world for some people.
4
This mount of money is obscene. and as a Houston Astros fan, good riddance for his bad behavior after their loss. Wearing his agent's hat. Obviously mercenary.
5
@Anne Astros were cheaters. This guy must have some decency to get away from the sesspool that is Houston Astros baseball. Now he can at least let the Yankees know exactly what they did.
3
Astros were cheaters last few years he did good by getting away
"Gerrit, on average we will be paying you $9500 for every pitch you throw over the next 9 seasons." Which is how they signed him.
1
"..a record breaking deal worth $324 million over nine years.." That's how they wooed him.
1
Kind of a foolish headline and article, how the Yankees “wooed” Cole.
With $325,000,000. What else do you need to know?
1
Thank you for staying in the American League. Please now rat on those cheating pieces of garbage Astro’s. Now say, World Champion Washington Nationals. Thanks.
4
Why can a person get $10,000 for every pitch thrown, when they don't even have to be strikes? My neurosurgeon didn't get half that much for my very successful 4-hour operation, and his skill set is magnitudes better than that of any baseball pitcher.
9
@beaujames
Because somebody is willing to pay him to do so.
Compare the revenue brought in by TV adversiting, merchandising, broadcast revenue to cable network and other streams of income. The Yankees are willing to pay based on the perceived return on investment.
Time will tell if this is a wise decision or not. I tend to be leery of giving pitchers in their late 20's long term deals. The Yankees could get fair value for the first four to six years of this deal. The last three years could be ugly. Very rarely do you see pitchers over 36 years old perform like they do in their primes.
3
No matter how good he is, your neurosurgeon doesn't throw all strikes either.
4
@beaujames because people will happily spend $125 on a jersey, $500 to take a family to a game, $15 on a stadium beer... but ask people to pay for their own cholesterol and blood pressure meds and you'd think you ask them to fund al-qaeda.
1
The Yanks now have more than solid play-off starters. But you can never have enough pitching. I am sure the Yankees will add another quality pitcher in the next 6 months.
1
It’s a joke what sports team owners and players make.
Something is wrong with the world when these people make this kind of money while teachers; social care workers struggle to live.
I am all for great sports players to make a great salary but this is a joke and I hope the Yankees miss the World Series again.
16
@BEB
While you complain about the amount of money teachers and social workers make, watch how many people complain when you talk about raising taxes to increase those salaries.
4
The market is what the market does. He gets this money because someone is willing to give it to him.
2
@BEB Sports contracts are completely meritocratic and market value driven. The only relevant question is what we regular people do with our time and money (many choose to spend it watching baseball) and how the money is divided between players and owners. I would rather Cole make twice the money than Steinbrenner get another penny, but that's just me.
The bottom line is that athletes do something that provides entertainment value to millions of people--they are hugely diverse and unionized, and the work they have put in from childhood would put Fortune 500 CEOs to shame. Protect players' right to get their fair share from this business and find something else to complain about!
2
The Yankees need one more talented pitcher...….injuries always loom over the Yankees.....one more good pitcher....Cole can only pitch every 3-4 days
1
@KMM they still have German who may return and a prospect they a high on.
1