Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. Rogers Media supports the Digital Advertising Alliance principles. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.
We use cookies (why?) You can change cookie preferences. Continued site use signifies consent.
American League Cy Young runner-up Gerrit Cole has declined the Houston Astros‘ qualifying offer, the team announced Thursday.
The decision officially makes Cole a free agent, and if he signs with another team before the 2020 draft the Astros will receive a compensation draft pick following Competitive Balance Round B.
A former first-round pick with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 29-year-old received 13 votes for AL Cy Young, finishing second to teammate Justin Verlander.
Cole is arguably the top starter in the market, as he finished the 2019 season with a league-leading 236 strikeouts and 2.50 ERA in 212.1 innings pitched.
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.