THE GERRIT COLE OPT-OUT IS COMING!

There's been a lot of buzz on social media about Gerrit Cole's upcoming opt-out clause after the 2024 season, which is to be expected. It's an interesting scenario, but also one that is very likely to happen. It's not the first time the Yankees have been in an opt-out scenario, so what's the big deal?

Honestly, it really isn't the first time the Yankees have been here and Cole's agent Scott Boras knows it, so his comment about it isn't surprising. In case you missed it, you can read more HERE but it's not as complicated as it sounds. Yankees ace Cole has an opt-out in his contract after this season, but the Yankees can void his opt-out by tacking on a $36 million salary in 2029, bringing his total to $360 million over 10 years. In case you were wondering, the $36 million was a pre-determined amount that both sides agreed to.

The media has been blowing this up everywhere after Boras weighed in, because anything with Boras is sensational but he wasn't wrong when he said "we would anticipate that those things are going to happen." There is no reason to believe Cole wouldn't opt-out for more money, and there's no reason to believe the Yankees wouldn't be willing to add more money to a proven ace. If Cole had the opportunity to test the open market he would command a high dollar average annual value. 

So for once, I'm not going to hate on Boras, because he's not wrong. The only way I see Cole not exercising his opt-out is if disaster strikes and his 2024 season is a failure. Anything is possible, but that doesn't make it likely. Cole has been a steady ace for the Yankees, and he's a Cy Young winner. He's in his prime, and he's capable of having another great season for the Yankees, and hopefully helping them contend this season.

I think there is a misunderstanding as to how his opt-out works. IF Cole opts-out, he cannot simply walk away and test the open market. This is a mutual option structure in a way, but the Yankees hold the cards, not Cole. This won't be a shock for the Yankees, and it shouldn't be for fans either.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj