The New York Yankees have been viewed by many as the favorite to sign Gerrit Cole, but they may have to outbid the Los Angeles Dodgers in order to secure the right-hander.
Cole’s two most likely suitors have been the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, with some thinking Cole prefers the West Coast and others convinced the Yankees will spend whatever it takes to sign him. However, the Bronx Bombers apparently have to compete against two West Coast teams, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was told by a source that the Dodgers have been “quite serious” in their pursuit of Cole.
The Dodgers are also trying to sign star third baseman Anthony Rendon, and they almost certainly won’t be able to add both players. However, several other teams are in on Rendon, so LA could quickly turn its attention to Cole if Rendon signs elsewhere.
Cole is likely to get in excess of $300 million now that Stephen Strasburg signed a $245 million contract with the Washington Nationals. Cole is two years younger and is less of an injury risk, so there’s no reason for him to ask for anything less than $300 million. The Yankees will need to pony up for much more than what they reportedly offered Cole recently.
After he posted a 2.50 ERA with 326 strikeouts in 212.1 innings last season, contending teams view Cole as the piece that can put them over the top. There are only a handful that can afford him, but having the Yankees and Dodgers bidding against each other for your services is every superstar free agent’s dream.
