The Yankees signed the biggest free-agent prize of the offseason. Gerrit Cole has brought his 2.50 ERA, 326 strikeouts and his 185 ERA+ from last season to the Yankees. In exchange for his services, the Yankees will pay him $36 million per year through the 2028 season. If he makes 35 starts a season, that’s still over $1 million per start.
The Rays had $52 million invested in their Opening Day roster in 2019. Gerrit Cole will earn just over 69% of that for each of the next nine seasons. So, yes the Yankees upgraded their pitching staff.