Astros named top landing spot for Yankees ace in free agency

As the New York Yankees seek their 28th World Series title, much of that goal rests on the shoulders of their ace.

Right-hander Gerrit Cole has mostly returned to form after a late start to the 2024 season due to an elbow injury, and a contract decision must be made this offseason.

Cole has the option to opt out of his current contract ($144 million), which covers the final four years. The Yankees can waive the opt-out clause by adding an additional year for $36 million to the end of the deal. It seems that this is the most likely scenario.

However, there is the slightest chance the Yankees will let Cole test the market if they move out. If that's the case, Bleacher Report's Joel Rueter believes the Houston Astros would be the best fit for Cole.

“Veteran Justin Verlander is a free agent this offseason, and Cole performed fantastically in an Astros uniform in 2018 and 2019. His signing could also serve as a contingency plan if the club cannot agree on a long-term contract extension with Framber Valdez before he enters free agency after the 2025 season,” Reuter wrote.

Losing Cole to the Astros would be a major blow to the Yankees' hopes of building a lasting playoff team.

The 34-year-old has still proven he can lead the starting lineup despite his elbow injury this season. He's just a year removed from his Cy Young season in 2023, and he showed shades of that dominance down the stretch in 2024.

It will be interesting to see how the offseason plays out with Cole's contract decision, but it would hurt the fan base to see him return to Houston.

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