USA TODAY International Edition
Yankees’ new $ 324M ace Cole built for pressure
NEW YORK – Having paid a staggering price to acquire free agent Gerrit Cole, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner expects to be leading a parade float down the Canyon of Heroes. “We need to win some world championships, and I believe we’re going to do that,” he said. “Sooner rather than later.”
Cole accepted that premise, which comes with a nine- year, $ 324 million commitment made official during an introductory Yankee Stadium news conference Wednesday. “I love it. It’s what you play for,” said the Yankees’ new ace right- handed pitcher, whose pinstriped connections run deep.
Growing up, “I was a Yankee fan and every year you have that expectation that they’re going to be competing for it. And so, no, it doesn’t scare me. It’s kind of what I dreamed of.”
By every measure, the 29- year- old won his first day in the Bronx, including players union icons Marvin Miller and Curt Flood in his thank- yous and bringing along the faded sign he carried into a 2001 World Series game at Arizona: “Yankee Fan Today, Tomorrow, Forever.”
“I’d just like to say, I’m here. I’ve always been here,” Cole said upon holding up that sign again, flanked by Steinbrenner and his wife, Amy.
After watching Cole and the Astros take his club out of another AL Championship Series this past October, “clearly, I felt it was time to strike,” Steinbrenner said, “to really get that final big piece that can make a difference.”
He had green- lighted the pursuit in mid- November, though, “I’d be involved in any given year with this guy if able,” Steinbrenner said. “He checks all the boxes,” as an elite pitcher at age 29, with a solid reputation as a teammate, clubhouse presence, preparation and pitching IQ.
“We’re talking about maybe the best pitcher in the game in the prime of his career,” said manager Aaron Boone, who was “blown away by the person” during an early December meeting with Cole.