There are still a few days before MLB free agents can sign with new teams but the stove is already heating up.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has opted out of his contract to possibly become a free agent.

However, this comes with an asterisk.

The Yankees have the chance to void the opt-out if they add one year and $36 million to Cole’s deal.

Before the 2020 season, Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million deal with New York after spending time with the Pirates and Astros.

Since joining New York, Cole has gone 59-28 record with a 3.12 ERA and 915 strikeouts in 759 innings.

In 2023 Cole was named the AL Cy Young winner after he went 15-4 with a league-leading 2,63 ERA and 209 innings pitched.

Cole started the 2024 season on the 60-day IL with a right elbow injury and went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA upon his return.

During his longest postseason run with the Yankees this October, Cole made five starts going 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA.

Game Five of the World Series saw Cole get into controversy after he failed to cover first base on a ground ball leading to a five-run inning for the Dodgers as part of their World Series-clinching win.

Moving forward, the Yankees will have to add some extra money on the books in the future if they want to keep Cole off the open market.

New York has not yet confirmed the news of Cole’s opt-out.

The Yankees have until Sunday evening to void the opt-out.