With three starting pitchers who are now free agents and the Mets at least somewhat likely to use a 6-man rotation for Kodai Senga, the Mets need starters. It’s likely that at least one of the free agents returns for 2025. After that – who knows? The rumors have surrounded Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, the top two guys known to be available. But there’s another name to throw on the pile, as Gerrit Cole has opted out of his contract and might be available, too.
Cole’s contract gave him the right to opt out of his deal with the Yankees. But it also gave the Yankees a way to retain him, by extending his contract to 2029 with a $36 million extension. It’s an interesting contract wrinkle and now the ball is in the Yankees’ court. It’s very possible they will give Cole the extra year. It’s on the table that they let him walk, too.
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Hard to believe the Mets would jump on the Garrett Cole train given the exorbitant salary he is likely to secure. Hard to believe that he opted out of his Yankee Yankee contract thinking there were greener pastures out there. Same for Blake Snell, who must think money grows on trees. Seems the Mets should be able to land two new front line starters in the combined $20-$35 million range.
I believe Gerrit Cole made a mistake . A bigger contract than the one he had with Yankees I don’t think anyone will give it to him after the season he had at 34 years old.Very few pitchers age well after year 35.
2024 was Cole’s age-33 season.