"There's no doubt why Gerrit Cole gets paid $325 million" - MLB analyst breaks down Yankee star's pitching mechanics after Red Sox controversy

Gerrit Cole, the 2023 Cy Young winner, has been great in MLB for a very long time. Even before he was the New York Yankees ace, he was putting in terrific seasons everywhere he went. MLB analyst Joey Laurer, who specializes in pitching mechanics, described what makes Cole so good.

The analyst began by saying that he's been a true workhorse for his entire career and that his mechanics are key:

"Very minimal injury issues, and he's just been consistent with his mechanics, throws a ton of strikes. There's no doubt why he gets paid $325 million to do what he does. He's been a perennial All-Star year after year."

He acknowledged the recent controversy, as Cole opted to intentionally walk Rafael Devers. Devers has an OPS over 1.400 against Cole, and it backfired. The Boston Red Sox put up three runs in that inning en route to seven against Cole.

It was the only loss the Yankees had in their four-game set against Boston as they continued their pursuit of the AL East crown. Cole has struggled at times against Boston, and that reared its ugly head once more over the weekend.

---

Gerrit Cole discusses disastrous intentional walk to Rafael Devers

With the bases empty, Gerrit Cole signaled for an intentional walk to Rafael Devers. The Yankees held a one-run lead at the time, and this moment proved to be disastrous. A double by Tyler O'Neill and a few more hits led to a three-run frame. Cole was removed in the fifth after 4.1 innings of seven-run ball.

Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers (Imagn)

He said afterward, via MLB.com:

“Clearly, that was a mistake. I think that I bought into the plan going into it, but afterward, it was the wrong move.”

Manager Aaron Boone said that had been a plan, but that he would've liked to have seen Cole attack Devers since the Yankees had the lead:

“But obviously, I didn’t communicate that well enough. I think Gerrit was a little indecisive out there and rolled with it.”

The Yankees couldn't mount any more offense than the run they had, and the runs charged to Cole were more than enough for the Red Sox to win.