A Look Inside Gerrit Cole S Historic 324 Million Contract

But this offseason, Cole got the last laugh. One day after Strasburg signed a $245 million deal to stay in Washington, Cole signed the largest contract for a pitcher. He’ll make a whopping $324 million over nine seasons. Cole’s deal also sets a record for the highest Annual Average Value (AAV) at $36 million a year. The contract is the fourth largest in MLB history. Only the Angels’ Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper ($330 million), and the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton ($325 million) will make more over the lifetime of their respective deals. San Diego’s Manny Machado ($300 million) is the only other player to have a deal worth $300 million or more. Cole led the league with 326 strikeouts last year, posting a 20-5 record with a 2.50 ERA. He helped the Astros reach the World Series for the second time in three years, though he’ll ultimately leave without a championship. His massive deal is part of a change in the MLB landscape. Cole is one of 45 players making at least $100 million. Compare that to 40 years ago. In 1979, Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher to sign a contract worth $1 million. Cole and Strasburg will make more money than that per start. Cole’s arrival means the Yankees should once again enter the season as a favorite to win the World Series. Believe it or not, the Bronx Bombers have gone a full decade without winning a championship. If Cole can help deliver another title, he’ll be worth every penny.