Just days after a heartbreak on baseball’s grandest stage, Gerrit Cole, the seasoned pitcher who made his mark with the Houston Astros, is setting the scene for another foray into free agency. This time, it’s the New York Yankees, the American League champs, who have to make a pivotal decision.

Cole opted out of his contract with the Yankees on Saturday, but there’s still a window for New York to keep him in pinstripes. They can nullify the opt-out by tacking on an extra year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million of his deal.

Considering Cole’s track record and impact, the Yankees might be keen to make this move. Despite a challenging 2024 season, where an elbow issue sidelined him for much of the first half, Cole still showcased his worth.

Posting an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA, he played a crucial role in leading the Yankees back to the World Series, a stage they haven’t graced since 2009. Although the journey ended in a five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cole’s tenure in New York has been impressive.

A key moment came in the decisive Game 5, where a missed cover on a Mookie Betts grounder contributed to a pivotal five-run inning for the Dodgers.

Over his five seasons with the Yankees, Cole boasts a 59-28 record and a 3.12 ERA, demonstrating consistency and dominance. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at an imposing 985-to-185, underscoring his command on the mound.

Cole’s excellence has been recognized repeatedly, finishing in the Top 10 in Cy Young voting across the last four seasons. The crowning achievement came in 2023 when he clinched the Cy Young Award after a stellar 15-4 run, leading the AL with a 2.63 ERA, racking up 222 strikeouts against only 48 walks.

Before donning the Yankees jersey, Cole honed his craft with the Astros, who acquired him in a high-profile trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His time in Houston was nothing short of spectacular.

Over two seasons, Cole was instrumental in the Astros’ AL West victories and their 2019 World Series appearance, compiling a 35-10 record with a sparkling 2.68 ERA. His 2018 campaign earned him a second All-Star nod, with a 15-5 record, a 2.88 ERA, and a jaw-dropping 276 strikeouts.

The following year, Cole upped the ante with a 20-5 record and an AL-best 2.50 ERA, leading all pitchers with 386 strikeouts. Despite these impressive numbers, he narrowly missed the Cy Young, finishing behind teammate Justin Verlander.

Cole’s journey began with the Pirates, where he spent five seasons, delivering a solid 59-42 record and a 3.50 ERA. His standout year was 2015, earning his first All-Star appearance and finishing fourth in National League Cy Young voting with a 19-8 record.

Across his illustrious career, Cole holds a 153-80 record, complemented by a 3.18 ERA, 2,251 strikeouts, and 500 walks. As Gerrit Cole weighs his options and the Yankees contemplate their next move, the baseball world watches closely, knowing the impact a player of his caliber can have on any roster.