Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole gave up one run in 3 1/3 innings and struck out six versus the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League action on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

This was a nice bounceback for Cole who gave up four home runs in his last outing against the Tigers. Fantasy owners have no reason to worry about the Yankees ace and he should be one of the top pitchers drafted in fantasy.

Gerrit Cole served up two homers in the first and two homers in the second to surrender six runs while getting six outs Thursday against the Tigers.

Fantasy Impact

Cole struggled on Thursday but had gotten off to a good start this spring as he did not allow a run in 3 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League play going into Thursday. The veteran righty is coming off a 20 win season in 2019 and should be one of the first pitchers drafted in fantasy drafts this year.

Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League start on Monday versus the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact

This will be his first action as a Yankee since signing a nine-year, $324 million contract as a free agent this winter. Cole has typically been the first starting pitcher off draft boards this season.

The New York Yankees have agreed to sign Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking $324M. It's a nine-year deal that pays Cole $36 million annually. There is a no-trade clause and the contract contains an opt-out after the 2024 season.

Fantasy Impact

Houston did wonders for Cole after revamping his repertoire of pitches. Once an inconsistent starter with ace potential in Pittsburgh, he dominated the Majors the last two seasons with Houston posting 35 wins and just 10 losses. Wins don't show how dominant he was though. During his time with the Astros, he posted a 2.69 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and had 602 strikeouts. The move to Yankee Stadium is a downgrade, but if he can continue to strike batters out, it may not make a huge difference in 2020.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports Gerrit Cole is expected to land a contract totaling more than $300 million.

Fantasy Impact

Sherman cites nine years and $324 million as a reasonable over/under right now. Cole's profitability has certainly increased following Stephen Strasburg's seven-year, $245 million contract with Washington. The Yankees and Angels are both known to be aggressively pursuing Cole at the moment.