The New York Yankees have offered Gerrit Cole a contract worth more than the record-breaking seven-year, $245 million deal that Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals agreed to Monday, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney.
It is unclear specifically what the Yankees offered to Cole, who also reportedly has attracted interest from the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported last week that signing Cole was the Yankees’ top offseason priority, and that general manager Brian Cashman has ownership-level approval to offer the right-hander a record-setting deal.
Strasburg’s deal with the Nationals surpasses the previous high for a pitcher’s contract, set by David Price when he signed a seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Strasburg also has the highest annual average value, eclipsing Zack Greinke‘s $31.5 million. Both records might not last long, however, given the interest in Cole from the Yankees and other teams.