HOUSTON – Pitcher Gerrit Cole on Thursday rejected the “qualifying offer” extended by the Houston Astros.
The $17.8 million offer was extended Nov. 4 as Cole, who was one of the stars of the Astros World Series run, was expected to enter free agency. He could command a new deal that will surpass $250 million.
Some believe the offer was merely a formality as the Astros wouldn’t get a compensatory draft pick without it if Cole were to sign with another team.
Astros owner Jim Crane said last week that the team will “make a run at it,” when asked about efforts to re-sign the right-hander.
Cole was 20-5 during the regular season.