Just before the clock struck midnight eastern, the New York Yankees made Gerrit Cole the richest pitcher to ever live by signing him to a 9-year, $324M deal.
Last year's Cy Young runner-up is coming off a career year in which he struck out nearly 14 batters per nine innings to go along with a 2.50 ERA.
The move, of course, helped their 2020 World Series odds. After opening the offseason at +600 at PointsBet, third best in the league behind the Astros and Dodgers, the Yankees are now co-favorites with Los Angeles at +450.
Odds as of Tuesday evening and via PointsBet, where Action Network users can access an exclusive promotion to get a 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).No strings attached. No rollover required.
Their win total, which actually opened on Tuesday at 97.5, is now a league-best 100.5. Their division odds also improved from +110 to -105.
Cole's ex-team has stumbled from +400 to +550 over the course of the offseason, as their dominant 1-2 punch in Cole and Justin Verlander is officially no more.
Cole's signing, which follows Stephen Strasburg's re-signing with the Nats, is part of a 2020 offseason that is moving along much faster than the Bryce Harper/Manny Machado marathon last winter.
With more major moves potentially around the corner, led by Anthony Rendon's decision, we could see the futures betting market settle in much quicker than it did last year.
