The New York Yankees signed free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole to a record-setting nine-year, $324 million contract Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network and WFAN Radio.
Cole, 29, went 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA last season with the Houston Astros. He struck out an MLB-leading 326 batters and finished second in the American League Cy Young voting to teammate Justin Verlander.
The right-hander also punched out 10 or more batters over an 11-game span (nine regular-season games and two postseason contests against the Tampa Bay Rays).
Cole entered this offseason as MLB's most coveted free agent, and he was paid as such.