The Yankees star has boldly predicted he will sign a $200 million contract with the division rival

The New York Yankees failed in the World Series and now face an offseason with important decisions.

While everyone's attention will rightfully be focused on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, the Yankees may have a decision to make when it comes to star player Gerrit Cole's contract.

The 34-year-old right-hander recovered from an elbow injury that kept him out until June and delivered good starts in the postseason. However, Cole has a player option in his contract for the offseason.

The Yankees can waive Cole's release clause by adding an additional $36 million to the end of his current contract. Or they could let him test the market.

In a bold prediction from Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, not only will Cole get out, but he'll also get a bigger contract in free agency (five years, $200 million) from two of the Yankees' biggest rivals.

“If Cole hits the open market, he should get five years for $200 million, if not a little more. And while the New York Mets would be the most likely candidate, it would heat up the rivalry quite a bit if the Boston Red Sox make Cole their ace,” Miller wrote.

This would be a pretty devastating turn of events for the Yankees. Losing Cole means they have to look for a new ace. That alone would be a difficult undertaking. Possible, but difficult. However, seeing him go to the Mets or Red Sox would be a stab in the heart.

After a slow start following an elbow injury sustained in spring training, Cole looked like himself again in the second half of the season. In 12 starts after the All-Star break, Cole was 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 1.02 WHIP in 71.2 innings.

In his five postseason starts, he posted a 2.17 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 10 walks in 29 innings.

It will be interesting to see what the decision will be for Cole and the Yankees this offseason, and it could well be a dramatic situation depending on both parties' outlook.