Yankees, are you transferring aces? Call opt-out, silent and unresponsive...WS, I can't say I messed up
Nov 04, 2024
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It was on the 3rd (Korea time) that ace Gerrit Cole opted out. After serving five years of a nine-year, $324 million contract, Cole invoked his right, opt-out. However, Cole did not immediately qualify as an FA. If the Yankees extend the period by adding $36 million for a year to the existing contract, the opt-out effect will disappear.
In other words, if he makes $144 million for the remaining four years to $180 million for five years, Cole will have to stay with the Yankees.
However, the Yankees did not make a decision on this until the 4th, a day later. It is also Sunday local time, but delaying the decision at the busiest time ahead of the opening of the FA market should be viewed as an atmosphere of having a 'concern'.
The closing time for the opt-out is 7 a.m. on the 5th.
Is the Yankees no longer an ace who is worth $36 million a year to Cole.
Cole started Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 31st and gave up no hits until the 4th inning before collapsing by allowing 5 runs at once in the 5th inning. Although center fielder Aaron Judge's absurd catcher error and shortstop Anthony Volpi's mistake in throwing to third base came out, Cole's mistake of not entering the base cover even though he guided Mookie Betts to a normal ground ball to first base was fatal.
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Cole has pitched 759 innings in 125 appearances in five seasons with the Yankees so far this year, marking a 59-28 record, 3.12 ERA and 1.025 WHIP. Last year, he pitched 209 innings in 33 games, winning 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA and 222 strikeouts, winning his first Cy Young Award. There is no denying that he is the ace. This season, he joined the rotation only in mid-June due to an elbow injury, but he played his part with an 8-5 record and a 3.41 ERA in 17 games. In five postseason games, he pitched well with one win and a 2.17 ERA.
However, it is highly likely that the Yankees became dissatisfied with Cole's age and pitching. ESPN reported that in the aftermath of the elbow injury, Cole's fastball restraint fell about a mile compared to last year and two miles compared to 2022.
On top of that, there are many top-class starters in the FA market, which could deepen Yankees' concerns. Corbyn Burns, Blake Snell, Max Fried and Jack Fleherty are the starters the Yankees can aim for. In particular, the Yankees actively negotiated with Snell last winter, and in the case of Fleherty, there were talks with the Detroit Tigers during the trade deadline last summer.
It is difficult for all four of them to receive more AAVs (average annual salary) than calls. There are also reports that Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is desperate to reduce payrolls. In other words, you can drop the call and transfer to a more efficient and young ace with a lower ransom than that. As of next year's opening, Cole is 34, Burns is 30, Snell is 32, and Fried is 31.
jhno@sportschosun.com
