Yankees’ new 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,” Steinbrenner 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.”
Winning pitch
Steinbrenner had green-lighted the Yankees’ pursuit of Cole 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 the Yankees’ early December meeting with Cole.
During a 41⁄2-hour sit down in Newport Beach, California, the Yankees brought some personal touches along.
Yankees lefty October staple Andy Pettitte, now a club adviser, offered his unique perspective.
Then there was the All-Star wine selection.
Cole was presented a couple of bottles of Masseto 2004 and 2005, the vintage of merlot that the Coles enjoyed during an anniversary trip to Italy.
“How did they pull that off?” Cole thought to himself later, only to later realize it was through his connection to Yankees longtime visiting clubhouse attendant Lou Cucuzza, who knew of his favorite wine.
The extra year
After making him their first-round pick in 2008, the Yankees never got to the negotiating stage; Cole honored his commitment to UCLA.
Two years ago, the Yankees whiffed on their attempt to trade for Cole, watching him go to the Pirates to the Astros.
This time, Steinbrenner chose to proactively go to a ninth year in a contract offer quickly to ward off the Dodgers and the Angels.
The Yankees’ first offer was for eight years. And given Cole’s strong ties to Southern California, the ninth-year decision was made “strategically, to separate from the pack,” said Cashman, who felt over time that other suitors would eventually go there anyway. Steinbrenner agreed.
“If you’re going to do it, it needs to be a guy like this,” Steinbrenner said. “Unlike other top free agents in years past, I really felt that Gerrit would be a gamechanger for us.”
And to Steinbrenner, Cole was worth blowing through the last barriers of the luxury tax, hitting the highest penalty – including a drop of 10 slots in the First Player draft.
“I love the human being … he’s going to be an unbelievable Yankee,” Steinbrenner said. “The kid’s too special to pass up.”