Former UCLA Pitcher Gerrit Cole Inks Record $324M Deal with Yanks

Eleven years. That’s how long it took for the New York Yankees to finally sign Gerrit Cole. In the 2008 MLB draft, the Bronx Bombers selected Cole with the 28th overall pick but, rather than sign with the Yanks, Cole decided to come to Westwood and play for John Savage and the Bruins.

After three seasons in Westwood, Cole was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent just a little more than a season in the minors, he made his debut with the Pirates on June 11, 2013. Over the course of five seasons with the Pirates, Cole went 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA. He was traded to Houston in January 2018 and spent two seasons with the Astros where he was 35-10 with a 2.68 ERA. It’s highly unusual for a pitcher to switch from the National League to the American League and actually lower their ERA. That’s because the AL employs the designated hitter rule while pitchers bat in the NL. Yet, Cole did just that.

Now, he heads to the Bronx in what may be one of the longest pursuits in major league history. And, the Yankees finally get a pitcher whom they have coveted for a very, very long time.

Yankee fans, book your World Series tickets now!


Go Bruins!!!