Gerrit Cole will remain with the New York Yankees rather than become a free agent. The Yankees and the pitching star have agreed to stay together.

Cole had opted out of his original nine-year, $324 million contract signed before the 2020 season, but the Yankees could have voided that opt-out by adding an additional year at $36 million.

Instead of that happening, though, Cole is returning to the Yankees on the four years and $144 million that was left on his original deal, per multiple reports.

The GM indicated they were glad to have the ace back, and there were no active extension discussions as of right now. It is expected that there could be extension talks as the offseason moves forward. In essence, this move erases the fact that Cole ever opted out in the first place.

Had the Yankees added the extra year, Cole’s new deal would have been for five years and $180 million, taking him through the 2029 season.

Keeping Cole gives the Yankees certainty atop their rotation, with Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil expected to headline it in 2025.

The Carolina Panthers recovered a fumble on the first play of overtime, then kicked a field to beat the New York Giants 20-17 Sunday in Munich, Germany.

The game was a sluggish matchup between two 2-7 teams who struggled to move the ball downfield.

The Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw to tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders for a touchdown. Carolina added a field goal. The Giants got into the red zone late in the second half, but Daniel Jones threw a costly pick.

The Giants opened the final frame with Jones running 2 yards into the end zone. New York recovered a Carolina fumble to get the ball back with eight minutes remaining in the game, however, Jones threw another interception.

With 10 seconds left, Gano made a field goal to tie things up at 17 and send the game to overtime.

Carolina forced a fumble and recovered the ball on the Giants’ first play of the extra session. All Carolina needed was a field goal, and the Panthers got it, with Eddy Pineiro nailing a 36-yard kick and ending the game. The Panthers won, 20-17 and move to 3-7 on the season.

IHOP’s Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola is available exclusively at participating IHOP restaurants across the country. 

Alongside this iconic beverage, IHOP is expanding its menu with an array of flavors designed to tantalize taste buds throughout the day, including the debut of first-ever pancake-inspired milkshakes.

Originally launched in March 2022 in partnership with Pepsi, the limited-edition Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola quickly became a sensation among pancake aficionados. 

Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola and Float offer a fusion of maple syrup-infused delight with the crisp, refreshing caramel notes of Pepsi, available both as a beverage and as a float with creamy vanilla ice cream.

IHOP is also enhancing its menu with a Pancake of the Month featuring innovative flavors like Cinnamon Apple Pecan.