‘Technically unemployed’ Cole thanks Astros, fans
There wasn’t much doubt that pitcher Gerrit Cole would be leaving the Houston Astros as a free agent after the season.
The possible AL Cy Young winner is expected to fetch one of the biggest contracts in MLB history, and Houston already is paying pitchers Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke more than $30 million each. Trying to sign Cole would put the Astros in danger of triggering MLB’s luxury tax, something owner Jim Crane wants to avoid.
But still, the speed with which Cole jettisoned his Astros trappings after Wednesday night’s loss to the Nationals in Game 7 of the World Series was a little off-putting. Minutes after the game ended, Cole was asking whether he could get out of his post-game media duties, reminding a team official that “technically, I’m unemployed.”
He had removed his Astros hat, instead wearing one bearing the logo of his agent, Scott Boras.
Cole eventually spoke to reporters as a “representative of myself.” He said “it was a pleasure to play in Houston,” using the past tense.
On Thursday, however, Cole took to Twitter to thank the Astros and their fans for the welcome he received since he was traded to Houston from Pittsburgh in January 2018.
“Houston, last night was a tough one for us and the heartbreak hasn’t gotten any easier today,” he wrote. “Before I became an Astro I didn’t know much about Houston, but after just two years, you have made it feel like home.
“So here’s what I know now. You have been overwhelmingly friendly, welcoming, and kind to my family and me. The Astros organization has been such a pleasure to play for, the Cranes are indeed special people and great owners. I’ve met lifelong friends on the team and in the community, and learned a little about pitching along the way. (winking smiley-face emoji). Playing in front of you is really something special and has been such an honour. The incredible support and passionate roars inspire our team to play at highest level we possibly can. This is a relationship between a team and it’s fans like no other that I know. Thank you for making us better people and better players. This was a great season. We have a lot to be proud of.”
Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, Cole said he was reticent to speak with reporters after the game because he didn’t want to talk about the fact that Astros manager A.J. Hinch didn’t use him out of the bullpen in Game 7. Nor did he want to talk about his impending free agency.
Reliever Aroldis Chapman will attempt to secure a contract extension with the New York Yankees before Saturday or opt out of the final two years and $30 million remaining on his current deal with the club, MLB Network announced.
If Chapman opts out, the Yankees are expected to present him with a $17.8 million qualifying offer for 2020, according to the report.
He’s expected to reject that, as well.
Chapman, 31, had 37 saves in 42 attempts this past season, with a 2.21 ERA over 60 appearances. It was the most saves he has recorded in a season since he had 38 in 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds.
The New York Mets are hiring Carlos Beltran as the 22nd manager in franchise history, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported on Friday. The job will be the first as a major league manager for Beltran, who will replace Mickey Callaway.
Beltran, 42, spent parts of seven of his 20 major league seasons with the Mets. The nine-time All-Star was a career .279 hitter with 435 home runs and 1,587 RBIs.
Beltran retired after helping the Houston Astros win the World Series in 2017 and has served as a special adviser to New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman since late 2018. The Kansas City Royals declined their half of a mutual option with Alex Gordon on Friday, making the veteran outfielder a free agent.
Gordon had already exercised his side of the option. He now will be paid a $4 million contract buyout instead of the $23 million he would have received if the Royals brought him back for the 2020 season.
Gordon, 35, hit. 266 with 13 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Royals this past season. The three-time AllStar was an integral part of Kansas City’s 2015 World Series championship team. In 13 major league seasons, all with the Royals, Gordon is a .258 hitter with 186 home runs and 738 RBIs. He’s also a six-time Gold Glove Award winner, the most recent coming in 2018.
The Royals have hinted at bringing back Gordon, but for less money.