There is an interesting sliding doors moment now in those 24-48 hours when Gerrit Cole and the Yankees appeared at least separated, if not completely divorced in early November.
Cole, as was his contractual right, opted out of the final four years and $144 million left on his contract. The Yankees could have made sure he did not head into free agency by tacking on an additional season at $36 million to create a five-year, $180 million pact and make the full value of his deal 10 years at $360 million.
The Yankees, though, did not agree to add that year, which for a day or two created free agency for Cole. The sides, though, did some one-on-one relationship counseling, decided they wanted to stay together and did so on that four-year, $144 million portion, falling into the “nothing to see here” mode — using the narrative Cole never wanted to leave and the Yankees never wanted him to go as the distraction that he kind of had a toe or two out the door.
In retrospect:
