It was reported that Cole got 8 year offers at the same rate from 2 other teams, which pushed the Yankees to 9 years. Those 8 year deals would also have smashed the previous record. So I think the point stands.
But not for Ryan Dempster.
Then there were John Smoltz and Brad Penny at 5 million apiece.
Just look at our track record of signing cheap back end starters, maybe.
And I'm not being argumentative about it, just making friendly conversation.