Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

MLB world reacts to Yankees signing Gerrit Cole to record $324 million contract

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 12/11/19

The most coveted free agent pitcher came off the market on Tuesday night as Gerrit Cole signed a record nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees.

The 29-year-old, who was pursued heavily by the Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels, now becomes MLB’s highest-paid pitcher in total salary and annual value.

Breaking: Gerrit Cole to Yankees. 9 years. 36M per. 324M total.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019

New York made Cole its entire focus this offseason, bringing in big names to woo him in their meeting, and obviously by offering this record contract.

The Yankees entered this offseason needing to add an ace who could pitch in pivotal playoff games and they’ve landed one. After years of frustration from fans for missing out on Cole and other top pitchers, general manager Brian Cashman delivered on Tuesday night.

The Yankees get their man!

Gerrit Cole will reportedly head to the Bronx on a 9-year, $324M deal, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/jtDrMOGCxH
— MLB (@MLB) December 11, 2019

As soon as the biggest news in baseball broke, the MLB world reacted to the historic contract and Cole joining the Yankees.

— Aaron Judge (@TheJudge44) December 11, 2019

The thing about being the Yankees is you never have to get outbid. https://t.co/AzeZeMlHhh
— Kate Feldman (@kateefeldman) December 11, 2019

9/324. Damn. Thats good coin. pic.twitter.com/2jNi0u97O9
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) December 11, 2019

Gerrit Cole got $324 million . . . or nearly one million for every dude he struck out in 2019 (326)
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) December 11, 2019

Someone is screaming in the lobby
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) December 11, 2019

BREAKING: Live look at Gerrit Cole pic.twitter.com/EEhsEjcZ85
— Jessica Quiroli (@heelsonthefield) December 11, 2019

With that contract, Gerrit Cole should do every postgame presser in a Boras Corp hat.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) December 11, 2019

The Yankees are the Yankees again. Evil Empire is back in full force. Gonna absolutely dominated the 20s
— Tommy Smokes (@TomScibelli) December 11, 2019

The baseball world has known peace for the past decade. No longer. Gerritt Cole is a yankee. The evil empire is BACK. pic.twitter.com/D0ebVezcwF
— Jefferson Steelflex (@dillon_murphy21) December 11, 2019

$324M… I'll call that a "championship effort" Brian Cashman…
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) December 11, 2019

EVIL EMPIRE BABY pic.twitter.com/eWWE8o88H6
— Mike Blicky (@Destroyerofz) December 11, 2019

George Steinbrenner is smiling down right now. The evil empire is back! pic.twitter.com/XwGsHURSJg
— E (@DvoElis) December 11, 2019

Called my Dad to tell him the Cole news.
Dad: “That’s a ridiculous amount of money.”
This has been instant #analysis.
— Amanda Rykoff (@amandarykoff) December 11, 2019

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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