Major League Baseball’s free agent class is stacked with stars and just got one more notable boost, at least for the moment.

Three days after pitching the final game of the 2024 World Series, Gerrit Cole has allegedly opted not to participate of his contract with the New York Yankees.

“New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has opted out of his contract, sources tell Jeff Passan and me,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported Saturday. “The Yankees can void the opt-out by adding one year and $36 million to the four years and $144 million Cole had left on his contract.”

Cole faced some backlash following his start in Game 5 of the World Series, despite having no earned runs in his 6 2/3 innings pitched. With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Cole failed to cover first base on Mookie Betts’ groundout to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The error not only allowed a run to be scored, but extended an inning that would eventually see the Dodgers erase a 5-0 deficit.

“I took a bad angle on the ball.” Cole told reporters: “I wasn’t sure how hard it hit him. When the ball went past me, I wasn’t in a position to cover first. None of us were.”

Until the Yankees make the decision whether or not to exercise Cole’s option, Yankees fans must speculate whether that mistake, and subsequent collapse, will be the last appearance Cole makes in a Yankees uniform.

Cole finished the 2024 season with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts, his second-highest ERA in his five years with the Yankees and his lowest number of starts in a full season by a wide margin. By opting out, the right-hander heads into his age-34 season asking for a five-year, $180 million commitment from the New York Yankees.

If the Yankees refuse to add the extra year and $36 million, Gerrit Cole will be a free agent, joining aces Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.

More Major Leagues: Mets veteran intends to opt out: report