Matt Slocum/Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — The Yankees have raised the stakes for their World Series pursuit by acquiring arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole, with the richest contract ever given to a pitcher: $324 million over nine years. They had made Cole their overwhelming priority this off-season, and beat the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers in the race for the right-hander.
Cole, 29, agreed to the deal, which is pending a physical examination in the coming days, late Tuesday night, according to people familiar with the situation. The Yankees also gave Cole, a right-hander, a full no-trade clause in the deal.