While the New York Yankees aim to return to the postseason in 2024, questions surround the 2025 team, particularly regarding ace Gerrit Cole, who may exercise an opt-out clause in his nine-year, $324 million contract this offseason. If Cole opts out, could the New York Mets be a realistic landing spot?
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report ranked potential destinations for Cole as his decision looms, with the Mets topping the list.
“If they win the Juan Soto sweepstakes, it’s hard to see how they’d also afford Cole,” Miller noted. “Assuming both command roughly $40 million annually in 2025—possibly high for Cole and low for Soto—the Mets’ payroll for Cole, Soto, Kodai Senga, Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Díaz would total $200.5 million.”
Miller also pointed out that Pete Alonso’s impending free agency could impact the Mets’ willingness to splurge. However, he suggested that if any owner would take on such an enormous financial commitment, it would be Steve Cohen, who spent nearly half a billion dollars last season, including luxury tax penalties.
Gerrit Cole Would Help Stabilize the Mets’ 2025 Rotation
While his 2024 season hasn’t matched his 2023 American League Cy Young performance, Cole has still been productive for the Yankees. Due to an elbow injury sustained during spring training, he didn’t make his first start until June 19. This will mark the first full season since 2016 that he won’t log 30 or more starts.
The 33-year-old has pitched 63 innings over 12 starts this year, compiling a 5-3 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts.
Looking ahead to the Mets’ potential rotation next year, there are many uncertainties. Jose Quintana and Luis Severino are set to enter free agency, and Sean Manaea could also hit the market if he opts out of his 2025 option. If all three depart, only Kodai Senga, Paul Blackburn, and David Peterson would be reliable options.
New York has already been linked to multiple starters ahead of the offseason, which officially begins in two months. On August 28, Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned that top pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried could be serious targets.
If Cole reaches free agency, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns at least explores the possibility. Cole is represented by Scott Boras, who also manages Alonso and Soto.
How the Yankees Can Prevent Cole From Reaching Free Agency
Despite an abbreviated season on the mound, will Cole opt out of his contract at the end of the year? According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, there is a “strong expectation” that he will, likely in pursuit of a deal worth more than the remaining four years and $144 million on his current contract.
However, it’s not a straightforward decision. If Cole opts out, the Yankees have the option to nullify the opt-out and keep him, but they’d need to add an extra year and $36 million to his contract, according to Spotrac. This would increase the total value of his deal to 10 years and $360 million.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faces a tough choice: should the team keep Cole under contract through his age-38 season for an additional $180 million? Or should they take the risk of letting him hit the open market, where he could potentially sign with a team like the Mets?
Be the first to comment