The Major League Baseball hot stove is heating up big time during the first day of the winter meetings. It started with the defending champion Washington Nationals re-signing Stephen Strasburg to a record-breaking seven-year, $245 million contract.
This move obviously sets the tone for AL Cy Young runner-up Gerrit Cole to reset the market. In fact, he’s said to be looking for a 10-year contract.
Having been linked to Cole over the past several weeks, the New York Yankees are reportedly set to make an offer to the 29-year-old veteran on Monday.
New York was said to be preparing a $245 million offer to Cole over the weekend. Given Monday’s Strasburg news, the team will have to up the ante a great deal when it makes an official offer during the meetings in San Diego.
As the report notes, the Angels and Dodgers are also seen as finalists for Cole. Though, the Dodgers and Cole have yet to speak in any official capacity.
This is a matter that could get settled here soon now that Strasburg is off the market. His deal is a baseline for what super-agent Scott Boras is going to be looking to land Cole.