Yankees sign Gerrit Cole in record-setting deal

The New York Yankees and top free agent Gerrit Cole agreed to a nine-year, $324 million contract, the biggest deal ever for a Major League Baseball pitcher.

That's according to several media outlets that said the contract signed late Tuesday gives the former Houston Astros right-hander an average annual salary of $36 million, reportedly more money per year than any other baseball star earns.

Stephen Strasburg had held that distinction for one day, after re-signing with the World Series Champion Washington Nationals for 7 years and $245 million on Monday.

Cole set several Astros franchise records and led the majors with 326 strikeouts last season, helping the team get to the World Series, where they ultimately lost to the Nationals.

The record deal ends a yearslong pursuit for the Yankees and fulfills a dream for Cole.

The 29-year-old grew up a Yankees fan, according to a report from ESPN, which also said Cole's favorite players were Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

And the Yankees finally get their man after the team drafted Cole out of high school in 2008 but lost him when the young pitcher opted to attend UCLA. He would later sign with the Pittsburg Pirates.

While the monster deal with the Yankees sets a record, it's not the biggest contract overall. That honor belongs to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels who signed a 12-year deal for $426.5 million.