McCullers’ last appearance on the mound in MLB came in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. A muscle strain ruled him out for the start of 2023 before he was shut down for the season following surgery on his pitching arm. He then experienced a setback in his rehab that prevented him from returning in 2024.

McCullers has now completed four rehab starts in the minors, including pitching five shutout innings for Corpus Christi in Double-A, which was enough for Espada to give him the nod against the White Sox.

“I’m really excited to have him on the mound on Sunday,” Espada told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s worked his tail off to get back to this point, and this whole entire team and this city should be excited to get Lance back.”

“Been waiting for it for a long time,” McCullers added. “Almost feel like I’m making my debut in some aspects, but it’s been a really long road for me.”

McCullers was drafted by the Astros in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft and received his MLB debut in 2015. He won two World Series in Houston and was named an All-Star in 2017. His career stats include a 49–32 record, 3.48 ERA and 800 strikeouts.

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The Suarez-Anderson swap is the fourth time that the Braves and Angels did business together since the end of the 2024 MLB season. This is not surprising considering that the Angels’ general manager, Perry Minasian, worked under the Braves’ GM, Alex Anthopoulos, from 2017 to 2020.

With this trade, the Braves and Angels both hope that a change of scenery will prove beneficial for once-promising pitchers who went through a rough patch in the past several years.

Suarez made his MLB debut for the Angels in 2019. After initially struggling in the majors, he started establishing himself as a reliable part of the rotation for the LA team. He made 45 starts in 2022 and 2023 combined, going 16-16 with a 3.85 ERA and 188 strikeouts.

However, Suarez suffered a shoulder injury in 2023 and struggled to find rhythm after that.  He played 22 games last season but most of them were in the relief role.

Anderson, on the other hand, was considered among the Braves’ top pitching after being selected third overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. His best season in MLB came during the 2021 campaign, in which he went 9-5 with a 3.58 ERA and 124 strikeouts while helping the Braves win the World Series. After struggling in 2022, he was demoted to minors before undergoing Tommy John surgery that kept him out for the entire 2023 season and the better part of 2024.

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Since 1976, the Yankees had a strict policy in place that banned their players and staff from having beards and long hair. They had to be either clean-shaven or have well-maintained mustaches. Yankees then-owner George Steinbrenner believed this would instill a sense of discipline. The policy has drawn a lot of criticism, especially in recent years, for limiting the players’ ability to self-express and being outdated.

Steinbrenner decided it was time for a change after gathering feedback from former and current players.

“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Steinbrenner said in a statement. “…Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”

Steinbrenner added that he also didn’t want potential free agents to be discouraged from joining the Yankees because of the policy although he reiterated that this wasn’t a deal-breaker in the past.

The post NY Yankees Change Facial Hair Policy After Almost 50 Years, Will Allow “Well-Groomed Beards” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Santander’s agency, his new contract is worth $92.5 million and contains more than $35 million in deferred money. It includes an opt-out clause and an escalated team option provision for 2030 that could bring the deal to $110 million in total over six years.

Santander previously said he’d like to stay with the Orioles because this team gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues, but added he’s trying to focus on the present.

“Anything can happen. That is why we can’t think [about] what is going to happen in the next few months. I just focus and do what I can control and it is to prepare my body to compete and go for the win,” he told Steve Melewski of MASN Sports.

Santander is the Blue Jays’ biggest offseason acquisition, after their failed attempts to sign Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles and made his first All-Star team following his career-best season in 2024.

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The deal is reportedly pending a physical and is expected to become official by the end of the week.

Verlander was on the free agent market longer than expected after a down 2024 season with the Houston Astros. He dealt with shoulder inflammation that limited him to 17 starts, in which he went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA, his worst since rookie season, and 74 strikeouts.

While Verlander struggled last year and is set to turn 42 in February, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Giants decided to take a flier on him. He is a future Hall of Famer and is just two seasons removed from his most recent Cy Young Award-winning campaign. Additionally, the Giants already have an enticing rotation that doesn’t have to depend on Verlander being on top of his game to deliver, but he can reap the benefits if he ends up finding his groove.

Additionally, Verlander will bring experience and leadership to the clubhouse and serve as a mentor to the Giants’ young pitchers, such as Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, and Landen Roupp.

Justin Verlander made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and went on to play 13 years for the franchise. He went on to spend six years with the Houston Astros, winning two World Series, before signing a record deal with the New York Mets ahead of 2023. His stint with the Mets lasted eight months, and he was traded back to the Astros.

Verlander has a career record of 262–147 with 3.30 ERA and 3,416 strikeouts. He is the leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched among all active players.

The post Ace Justin Verlander, 3-Time Cy Young Winner, Signs With SF Giants on a 1-Year, $15 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to MLB Network, the two teams had a deal in place, with the Cardinals willing to contribute between $15 million and $20 million to Arenado’s salary. Arenado is under contract for three more years as part of an eight-year, $260 million contract extension he signed with the Colorado Rockies back in 2019.

As part of the agreement with the Rockies, Arenado received a no-trade clause. He agreed to waive it for his trade to the Cardinals in 2021 but doesn’t appear to be willing to do the same for the Astros.

Arenado has been considered one of the best defensive players at third baseman position of all time. He has won ten Gold Glove Awards since making his MLB debut in 2013, and he has also had eight All-Star nods. Arenado played 152 games in 2024, batting .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Despite his star status, Arenado has been deemed expendable by the Cardinals as the team attempts to retool its roster and return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for two years in a row.

Arenado has also been willing to move on, but his focus is on landing with a team that can contend for the World Series. As currently constructed, and having just traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Astros don’t seem to fit the bill.

“All I can say is that we were in talks with multiple teams, and we still are, but I have nothing pending,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Arenado. “We’re still working on a lot of things, and hopefully, we have clarity as we get into the new year.”

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Entering the free agency, Soto was considered the top available free agent on the market, with many predicting his new deal would top the $600 million mark. However, with a number of teams getting involved in the bidding, including the Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, among others, the value of his deal now surpassed the record previously held by Shohei Ohtani and his 10-year, $700 million agreement with the LA Dodgers from last season.

The Mets were the most aggressive team in trying to land Soto, and the sentiment around the league was that they were willing to top any rival bid. After a surprising run to the NL Championship Series in 2024, the franchise felt they were positioned for long-term success but needed more star power to compete with the likes of the Yankees and the Dodgers.

For Soto, the record-breaking deal is a testament to his excellence on the field and his willingness to wait for the right moment to sign a long-term deal.

Soto made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Washington Nationals and managed to become an All-MLB First Team selection, receive the Silver Slugger Award, and win the World Series in his first three years in the majors. The Nationals recognized Soto’s potential and offered him a massive 15-year, $440 million extension in 2022, but the player wisely opted to wait out.

After rejecting the deal, Soto wound up being traded to the San Diego Padres and later landed with the Yankees. He didn’t miss a beat with his new teams, becoming a perennial All-Star and further driving his price up. This was particularly the case in 2024 when he batted .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs while leading the American League with 128 runs.

The post Star Slugger Juan Soto Agrees to 15-Year, $765 Million Deal With the Mets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan, Snell inked a five-year, $182 million deal with his new team. The deal doesn’t contain any opt-outs and comes with a $52 million signing bonus.

Snell was a free agent last winter as well but experienced a slow market despite winning his second Cy Young award. He ended up settling for a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants and delivered a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA, 145 strikeouts, and one no-hitter in the 2024 campaign.

Snell used an opt-out in his deal after a strong season and, this time, became the first big free agent to get a contract. The $182 million the Dodgers gave him is the third-most total money for a lefty in MLB history, while his average annual salary of  $36.4 million makes him the fifth-highest-paid player in the league at the moment.

With Snell on board, the Dodgers will have one of the best rotations in baseball. They also have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, with two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani expected to return to the mound in 2025. The franchise legend Clayton Kershaw should also be in the fold by the start of the new season.

Blake Snell made his majors debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. He spent the first five years of his career with the Rays and then three more with the San Diego Padres before landing with the Giants. Snell has a 76–58 career record with a 3.19 ERA and 1,368 strikeouts.

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Skenes finished comfortably at the top with 136 points, receiving 23 first-place votes and seven second-place votes. The San Diego Padres’ center fielder Jackson Merrill received the remaining seven first-place votes and 23 second-place votes to finish with 104 points. Outfielder Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers) and pitcher Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs) finished third and fourth respectively.

Gil, on the other hand, narrowly managed to beat out Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser. Gil had 15 first-place votes and 106 points, while Cowser had 13 first-place votes and 101 points. Oakland A’s Mason Miller and Cubs’ Cade Smith also received first-place votes.

Paul Skenes, taken first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, is considered one of the most exciting pitching prospects in recent memory. He made 23 starts in 2024, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He had the lowest ERA by a rookie in more than a century and the lowest this season among pitchers who threw 130 or more innings.

Skenes is also a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher in the National League for the past season.

Luis Gil, on the other hand, started his professional career in his native Dominican Republic before making his minors debut in 2018 with the Yankees. After seeing some MLB action in 2021 and 2022, Gil made 29 starts in 2024 and went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts.

The post Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Yankees’ Luis Gil Win Rookie of the Year Awards appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Rizzo joined the Yankees in a trade from the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and went on to sign a two-year, $34 million contract with the franchise in 2022. The agreement contained a $17 million option for 2025, but after the Yankees declined it, Rizzo is now set to receive a $6 million buyout.

Rizzo had a challenging last couple of years, dealing with a series of injuries. He was limited to 92 games in 2024, finishing the regular season with a .228 batting average, eight home runs, and 35 RBI.

Cole, on the other hand, is using the opportunity to get one last big payout of his career. He and the Yankees agreed to a then-record nine-year, $324 million contract in 2019, but a proven pitcher like him could likely do better on the open market than the four years and $144 million left on his deal.

However, it is unlikely that Gerrit will get a chance to test the free agency again. Reportedly, the Yankees have inserted a clause in the contract that allows them to keep Cole by extending his contract for one additional year at a cost of $34 million.

Cole made 17 starts in 2024, compiling an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts.

The post Yankees Decline Option on 1B Anthony Rizzo, Ace Gerrit Cole Opts Out appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

McCullers’ last appearance on the mound in MLB came in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. A muscle strain ruled him out for the start of 2023 before he was shut down for the season following surgery on his pitching arm. He then experienced a setback in his rehab that prevented him from returning in 2024.

McCullers has now completed four rehab starts in the minors, including pitching five shutout innings for Corpus Christi in Double-A, which was enough for Espada to give him the nod against the White Sox.

“I’m really excited to have him on the mound on Sunday,” Espada told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s worked his tail off to get back to this point, and this whole entire team and this city should be excited to get Lance back.”

“Been waiting for it for a long time,” McCullers added. “Almost feel like I’m making my debut in some aspects, but it’s been a really long road for me.”

McCullers was drafted by the Astros in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft and received his MLB debut in 2015. He won two World Series in Houston and was named an All-Star in 2017. His career stats include a 49–32 record, 3.48 ERA and 800 strikeouts.

The post Astros’ All-Star RHP Lance McCullers Jr. to Make His First MLB Start Since 2022 on Sunday appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Suarez-Anderson swap is the fourth time that the Braves and Angels did business together since the end of the 2024 MLB season. This is not surprising considering that the Angels’ general manager, Perry Minasian, worked under the Braves’ GM, Alex Anthopoulos, from 2017 to 2020.

With this trade, the Braves and Angels both hope that a change of scenery will prove beneficial for once-promising pitchers who went through a rough patch in the past several years.

Suarez made his MLB debut for the Angels in 2019. After initially struggling in the majors, he started establishing himself as a reliable part of the rotation for the LA team. He made 45 starts in 2022 and 2023 combined, going 16-16 with a 3.85 ERA and 188 strikeouts.

However, Suarez suffered a shoulder injury in 2023 and struggled to find rhythm after that.  He played 22 games last season but most of them were in the relief role.

Anderson, on the other hand, was considered among the Braves’ top pitching after being selected third overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. His best season in MLB came during the 2021 campaign, in which he went 9-5 with a 3.58 ERA and 124 strikeouts while helping the Braves win the World Series. After struggling in 2022, he was demoted to minors before undergoing Tommy John surgery that kept him out for the entire 2023 season and the better part of 2024.

The post Braves Swap RHP Ian Anderson for LHP Jose Suarez in a Trade With LA Angels appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Since 1976, the Yankees had a strict policy in place that banned their players and staff from having beards and long hair. They had to be either clean-shaven or have well-maintained mustaches. Yankees then-owner George Steinbrenner believed this would instill a sense of discipline. The policy has drawn a lot of criticism, especially in recent years, for limiting the players’ ability to self-express and being outdated.

Steinbrenner decided it was time for a change after gathering feedback from former and current players.

“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Steinbrenner said in a statement. “…Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”

Steinbrenner added that he also didn’t want potential free agents to be discouraged from joining the Yankees because of the policy although he reiterated that this wasn’t a deal-breaker in the past.

The post NY Yankees Change Facial Hair Policy After Almost 50 Years, Will Allow “Well-Groomed Beards” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Santander’s agency, his new contract is worth $92.5 million and contains more than $35 million in deferred money. It includes an opt-out clause and an escalated team option provision for 2030 that could bring the deal to $110 million in total over six years.

Santander previously said he’d like to stay with the Orioles because this team gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues, but added he’s trying to focus on the present.

“Anything can happen. That is why we can’t think [about] what is going to happen in the next few months. I just focus and do what I can control and it is to prepare my body to compete and go for the win,” he told Steve Melewski of MASN Sports.

Santander is the Blue Jays’ biggest offseason acquisition, after their failed attempts to sign Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles and made his first All-Star team following his career-best season in 2024.

The post Anthony Santander Agrees to $92.5 Million Deal With Blue Jays  appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The deal is reportedly pending a physical and is expected to become official by the end of the week.

Verlander was on the free agent market longer than expected after a down 2024 season with the Houston Astros. He dealt with shoulder inflammation that limited him to 17 starts, in which he went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA, his worst since rookie season, and 74 strikeouts.

While Verlander struggled last year and is set to turn 42 in February, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Giants decided to take a flier on him. He is a future Hall of Famer and is just two seasons removed from his most recent Cy Young Award-winning campaign. Additionally, the Giants already have an enticing rotation that doesn’t have to depend on Verlander being on top of his game to deliver, but he can reap the benefits if he ends up finding his groove.

Additionally, Verlander will bring experience and leadership to the clubhouse and serve as a mentor to the Giants’ young pitchers, such as Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, and Landen Roupp.

Justin Verlander made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and went on to play 13 years for the franchise. He went on to spend six years with the Houston Astros, winning two World Series, before signing a record deal with the New York Mets ahead of 2023. His stint with the Mets lasted eight months, and he was traded back to the Astros.

Verlander has a career record of 262–147 with 3.30 ERA and 3,416 strikeouts. He is the leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched among all active players.

The post Ace Justin Verlander, 3-Time Cy Young Winner, Signs With SF Giants on a 1-Year, $15 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to MLB Network, the two teams had a deal in place, with the Cardinals willing to contribute between $15 million and $20 million to Arenado’s salary. Arenado is under contract for three more years as part of an eight-year, $260 million contract extension he signed with the Colorado Rockies back in 2019.

As part of the agreement with the Rockies, Arenado received a no-trade clause. He agreed to waive it for his trade to the Cardinals in 2021 but doesn’t appear to be willing to do the same for the Astros.

Arenado has been considered one of the best defensive players at third baseman position of all time. He has won ten Gold Glove Awards since making his MLB debut in 2013, and he has also had eight All-Star nods. Arenado played 152 games in 2024, batting .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Despite his star status, Arenado has been deemed expendable by the Cardinals as the team attempts to retool its roster and return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for two years in a row.

Arenado has also been willing to move on, but his focus is on landing with a team that can contend for the World Series. As currently constructed, and having just traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Astros don’t seem to fit the bill.

“All I can say is that we were in talks with multiple teams, and we still are, but I have nothing pending,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Arenado. “We’re still working on a lot of things, and hopefully, we have clarity as we get into the new year.”

The post St. Louis Cardinals’ All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado Blocks a Trade to Astros appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Entering the free agency, Soto was considered the top available free agent on the market, with many predicting his new deal would top the $600 million mark. However, with a number of teams getting involved in the bidding, including the Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, among others, the value of his deal now surpassed the record previously held by Shohei Ohtani and his 10-year, $700 million agreement with the LA Dodgers from last season.

The Mets were the most aggressive team in trying to land Soto, and the sentiment around the league was that they were willing to top any rival bid. After a surprising run to the NL Championship Series in 2024, the franchise felt they were positioned for long-term success but needed more star power to compete with the likes of the Yankees and the Dodgers.

For Soto, the record-breaking deal is a testament to his excellence on the field and his willingness to wait for the right moment to sign a long-term deal.

Soto made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Washington Nationals and managed to become an All-MLB First Team selection, receive the Silver Slugger Award, and win the World Series in his first three years in the majors. The Nationals recognized Soto’s potential and offered him a massive 15-year, $440 million extension in 2022, but the player wisely opted to wait out.

After rejecting the deal, Soto wound up being traded to the San Diego Padres and later landed with the Yankees. He didn’t miss a beat with his new teams, becoming a perennial All-Star and further driving his price up. This was particularly the case in 2024 when he batted .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs while leading the American League with 128 runs.

The post Star Slugger Juan Soto Agrees to 15-Year, $765 Million Deal With the Mets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan, Snell inked a five-year, $182 million deal with his new team. The deal doesn’t contain any opt-outs and comes with a $52 million signing bonus.

Snell was a free agent last winter as well but experienced a slow market despite winning his second Cy Young award. He ended up settling for a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants and delivered a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA, 145 strikeouts, and one no-hitter in the 2024 campaign.

Snell used an opt-out in his deal after a strong season and, this time, became the first big free agent to get a contract. The $182 million the Dodgers gave him is the third-most total money for a lefty in MLB history, while his average annual salary of  $36.4 million makes him the fifth-highest-paid player in the league at the moment.

With Snell on board, the Dodgers will have one of the best rotations in baseball. They also have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, with two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani expected to return to the mound in 2025. The franchise legend Clayton Kershaw should also be in the fold by the start of the new season.

Blake Snell made his majors debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. He spent the first five years of his career with the Rays and then three more with the San Diego Padres before landing with the Giants. Snell has a 76–58 career record with a 3.19 ERA and 1,368 strikeouts.

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Skenes finished comfortably at the top with 136 points, receiving 23 first-place votes and seven second-place votes. The San Diego Padres’ center fielder Jackson Merrill received the remaining seven first-place votes and 23 second-place votes to finish with 104 points. Outfielder Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers) and pitcher Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs) finished third and fourth respectively.

Gil, on the other hand, narrowly managed to beat out Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser. Gil had 15 first-place votes and 106 points, while Cowser had 13 first-place votes and 101 points. Oakland A’s Mason Miller and Cubs’ Cade Smith also received first-place votes.

Paul Skenes, taken first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, is considered one of the most exciting pitching prospects in recent memory. He made 23 starts in 2024, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He had the lowest ERA by a rookie in more than a century and the lowest this season among pitchers who threw 130 or more innings.

Skenes is also a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher in the National League for the past season.

Luis Gil, on the other hand, started his professional career in his native Dominican Republic before making his minors debut in 2018 with the Yankees. After seeing some MLB action in 2021 and 2022, Gil made 29 starts in 2024 and went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts.

The post Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Yankees’ Luis Gil Win Rookie of the Year Awards appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Rizzo joined the Yankees in a trade from the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and went on to sign a two-year, $34 million contract with the franchise in 2022. The agreement contained a $17 million option for 2025, but after the Yankees declined it, Rizzo is now set to receive a $6 million buyout.

Rizzo had a challenging last couple of years, dealing with a series of injuries. He was limited to 92 games in 2024, finishing the regular season with a .228 batting average, eight home runs, and 35 RBI.

Cole, on the other hand, is using the opportunity to get one last big payout of his career. He and the Yankees agreed to a then-record nine-year, $324 million contract in 2019, but a proven pitcher like him could likely do better on the open market than the four years and $144 million left on his deal.

However, it is unlikely that Gerrit will get a chance to test the free agency again. Reportedly, the Yankees have inserted a clause in the contract that allows them to keep Cole by extending his contract for one additional year at a cost of $34 million.

Cole made 17 starts in 2024, compiling an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts.

The post Yankees Decline Option on 1B Anthony Rizzo, Ace Gerrit Cole Opts Out appeared first on yoursportspot.com.