Shortly after failing to cover first base in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, Cole opted out of what was remaining of the nine-year, $324 million deal he signed in December 2019. Cole presented the Yankees with the option to add a year to the deal worth $36 million or he would become a free agent.

Two years after winning the AL Cy Young and one year after a season-delaying elbow injury, Gerrit Cole expects to regain his place among baseball's best hurlers.

While Cole praised his fellow Boras Corp. client, he also spoke highly of the Yankees' offseason moves following Soto's departure.