Shortly after failing to cover first base in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, Cole opted out of what was remaining of the nine-year, $324 million deal he signed in December 2019. Cole presented the Yankees with the option to add a year to the deal worth $36 million or he would become a free agent.

Three years later, Aaron Judge hit an American League record hitting 62 homers in 2022, then he stayed with the Yankees that offseason after testing free agency on a bigger deal, $360 million for 10 seasons.

Gerrit Cole, ace of the New York Yankees, shares his reaction to Juan Soto's record-breaking MLB contract with the New York Mets, offering insight on the impact of the historic deal. Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees‘ ace,