TAMPA, Fla. — Gerrit Cole, the right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees, expressed that he always planned to continue his career with the team. Following the conclusion of the World Series, the 34-year-old exercised his option to opt out of his contract, walking away from a hefty $144 million over the next four years. This action initiated a brief window for the Yankees to avoid his opt-out by extending his contract with an additional salary of $36 million for the year 2029. However, the franchise chose not to add this year, leading Cole to remain under his current contract.

During the Yankees’ spring training workouts, Cole addressed his intentions, stating that he was content to stay in his current situation as he returned to Yankee Stadium. He originally signed a significant nine-year contract valued at $324 million prior to the 2020 season. Last season, despite achieving a career milestone by winning the 2023 AL Cy Young Award, he faced setbacks due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow, which delayed his first start until June 19. In 17 starts, he recorded a record of 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA and performed exceptionally well in the postseason with a 1-0 record and a 2.17 ERA over five games.

Cole mentioned the team’s discussions about his contract, hinting that while they decided to maintain the current agreement, future conversations might revisit the topic. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his enthusiasm for Cole’s return and emphasized the value of having a top pitcher like him on the roster, considering how highly sought after elite pitchers are in the marketplace.

Scott Boras, Cole’s agent, recently negotiated a historic 15-year contract worth $765 million for outfielder Juan Soto, who departed the Yankees for the New York Mets. Cole acknowledged the significance of such a substantial deal, recognizing the impact of great players and their representation in the sport, as well as the excitement it generates among fans, particularly in New York.

In response to Soto’s departure, New York fortified its roster by acquiring prominent players, including left-hander Max Fried, outfielder Cody Bellinger, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and closer Devin Williams. Cole highlighted the Yankees’ strength in being able to adapt to personnel changes and fill any gaps within the team.

As Cole gears up for his sixth season with the Yankees, he mentioned that he is fully healthy, ready to pitch after an unceremonious end to the previous season in the World Series, where a misstep during a critical moment led to a devastating loss against the Dodgers. Reflecting on that experience, he shared that each moment on the field serves as a lesson that propels him to strive harder, drawing motivation from both victories and setbacks.

Cole is set to lead a formidable starting rotation that includes Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, with Marcus Stroman as an additional option. The Yankees secured Fried with an impressive eight-year contract worth $218 million, marking it as the largest contract ever offered to a left-handed pitcher.

Upon assessing the current roster, Cole noted, “It looks really good on paper.” He feels optimistic about the team’s position moving forward and believes that having everyone in good spirits at the start of the season is an excellent foundation for success. Fried, who has had a successful career with a record of 73-36 in eight seasons with the Braves and was part of their 2021 World Series victory, brings a wealth of experience to the Yankees’ pitching staff.

In recognition of Fried’s background, Cole praised the strong pitching culture of the Atlanta organization, suggesting that his experience aligns with enduring principles of pitching excellence that have inspired many, including his own generation of players.

Excitement brewed among the pitchers, with Schmidt expressing his gratitude for having Cole as a teammate, recognizing the importance of having an ace on the pitching staff. “We’re lucky to have a guy like that on our side,” he remarked.

In a separate incident, New York reported that pitching prospect Eric Reyzelman experienced an allergic reaction and was subsequently transported to a hospital for monitoring.