Angels manager Joe Maddon congratulated Brian Cashman Tuesday night for winning the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes.
The two were in the same restaurant — along with several Post writers — when word leaked that the Yankees were to sign the ace to a record nine-year, $324 million.
Both teams and the Dodgers were the favorites to sign the 29-year-old ace at the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego.
Cole is from Newport, Calif., located near the Angels’ stadium, and grew up rooting for the Yankees.
The righthander’s new contract surpassed Stephen Strasburg’s seven-year deal worth $245 million with the Nationals, signed on Monday, to as the new pitcher record.