Yankees, Cole make pact official

AllStar righthander Gerrit Cole, who grew up in Southern California as a Yankees fan because of his father’s influence, signed his nineyear, $324 million deal with the team Wednesday.

Cole spurned the Yankees when they drafted him 28th overall in 2008, choosing to enroll at UCLA. He signed with Pittsburgh three years later after he was the No. 1 pick in the nation.

Cole pitched for the Pirates from 2013 through ’17, then was traded to Houston. He spent two seasons with the Astros, coming one win shy of a World Series title this year.

Now, as a free agent, he finally was fitted for pinstripes.

His deal pays $36 million annually, and though he can opt out after the fifth season, the Yankees would have two days to block the optout by adding a 10th season at $36 million.

“It was my dream. I had a second opportunity to chase it,” Cole said. “Some people don’t quite take the word ‘no’ as well as these guys did.”

Moving on: Outfielder Matt Kemp, a threetime AllStar who spent most of the 2019 season on the injured list after breaking a rib, agreed to a minorleague deal with Miami.

Kemp, 35, batted .200 with one homer in 20 games with Cincinnati last season.

Former A’s infielder Eric Sogard agreed to a oneyear, $4.5 million deal with Milwaukee, the Athletic reported.

Former A’s and Giants reliever Fernando Abad agreed to a minorleague deal with Washington, and former A’s reliever Danny Coulombe got a minorleague deal with Minnesota, according to the Athletic.

Among previously reported majorleague agreements that became official were Toronto’s twoyear, $24 million contract with former A’s righthander Tanner Roark and Cincinnati’s twoyear, $15 million pact with lefthander Wade Miley.