After brief offseason opt out, Gerrit Cole says he always intended to remain with Yankees

FILE - New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.

FILE - New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)


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TAMPA, Fla. — Gerrit Cole says he always intended to remain with the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old right-hander exercised his right to opt out of his contract on the third day after the World Series, giving up $144 million over four years and starting a two-day window for the team to void the opt by adding a $36 million salary for 2029. New York decided not to add the year, and Cole then elected to keep his contract. Cole says on the first day of spring training workouts: "The intention wasn't to do anything other than stay."

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