Gerrit Cole reported to the New York Yankees spring training site this week, along with many of his other freshly-shaven teammates. Cole is entering his sixth season with the Yankees, but for a few brief days last November that was in question.

TAMPA, Fla. — Gerrit Cole says he always intended to remain with the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old right-hander exercised his right to opt out of his contract on the third day after the World Series, giving up $144 million over four years and starting a two-day window for the team to void the opt by adding a $36 million salary for 2029.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has already hit it off with new teammate Max Fried, who will join him atop starting rotation for years to come.