It’s not often you hear the number 324 million attached to one player, but for New York Yankees‘ star signing Gerrit Cole, it became a reality rather quickly during the 2020 offseason.
Cole, who was coming off a World Series appearance with the Houston Astros, signed for $324 million with the Yanks, who shattered the record for a starting pitcher but locked up one of the best arms in baseball in the process. Dishing out $36 million per season must come with a reward, and Cole gave us a glimpse into that reality over the weekend, tossing against live hitters for the first time this offseason.
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Cole struck out five of the eight batters he faced, showing off his velocity and immense accuracy. In 2019, arguably the league’s best pitcher logged 326 strikeouts and a 2.50 ERA, both league-highs for starters with a minimum of 100 innings pitched.
What can the New York Yankees expect from their star pitcher?
Pitching in Yankee Stadium can be problematic for players who aren’t familiar with the short right porch and chilly fall weather. Cole grew up a Yankees fan living on the West Coast, which will inevitably present realistic struggles. His acquaintanceship to the heat of Houston and California don’t relate to a smoggy, wet New York City. Adapting to the Big Apple can take a few months, especially when October rolls around.
This factor shouldn’t be that much of a concern, though, as Cole dominated a strong Yankees lineup in New York during the ALCS. His 7.0 innings and 0.40 ERA, accompanied by seven strikeouts, steamrolled a team that had World Series aspirations, at home.
With weather out of the question regarding adaptation, Cole’s biggest hurdle will ultimately be the high-pressure atmosphere of New York, and earning $324 million will put his head on the line if he fails to replicate his 2019 totals. I anticipate Gerrit having a fantastic 2020 campaign, but don’t be surprised if he goes through a minor lul at some point as Yankee stadium places its grips around his psyche.