I'm not sure we've ever seen a FA SP as attractive as Gerrit Cole, the first to come to mind is Randy Johnson, who signed with Arizona and proceeded to win the next four NL Cy Young awards, but he was already 35 then. Max Scherzer was a year older when he hit FA and signed for 7/210 with Washington. David Price signed with BOS for 7/217 the next year, those two and Greinke's 6/206 are the biggest three SP contracts in history.
Anyway, those are I think the best comparisons, but I don't think any of those four were as good/young when they hit FA as Cole is right now, I think the bidding for him starts in Scherzer territory with an additional year, so 8/240. I voted for the $250-$300M range, I still think the Angels are the favorites but wow is he going to get paid. I voted 'no' on the second part, I think in an 8 year deal he will put up at least 3-4 spectacular seasons but there will be injuries and lesser performance in there also, and he is going to have such a big deal to live up to.
Anyway, those are I think the best comparisons, but I don't think any of those four were as good/young when they hit FA as Cole is right now, I think the bidding for him starts in Scherzer territory with an additional year, so 8/240. I voted for the $250-$300M range, I still think the Angels are the favorites but wow is he going to get paid. I voted 'no' on the second part, I think in an 8 year deal he will put up at least 3-4 spectacular seasons but there will be injuries and lesser performance in there also, and he is going to have such a big deal to live up to.