HOUSTON — The end of the World Series ushers the opening of the free-agent meat market, which means the Yankees will be linked to Gerrit Cole until he signs with them or elsewhere.
Due to an outstanding regular season and a brilliant postseason for the Astros, the 29-year-old Cole is the king of the free-agent class and in line for a contract that could land him upward of $250 million.
There is no doubting the right-hander’s stuff is deluxe. Ditto the mound presence and his durability.
And according to fellow Southern California native and former Yankee Phil Hughes, the pressure of taking big money and pitching in The Bronx won’t smother Cole.