Hal Steinbrenner makes a declarative statement about Gerrit Cole’s future with the Yankees.

Pitcher Gerrit Cole remains on the New York Yankees roster after he decided earlier this month to extend his four-year contract with the team through the 2028 season, but both sides are still talking about a possible contract extension.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner spoke more about Cole’s contract situation Thursday, admitting he was “not comfortable” adding a fifth year to the ace’s contract. However, the owner said the Yankees are still very keen to keep the 2023 Cy Young Award winner in New York.

“But let me say, this in no way reflects how we feel about Gerrit,” Steinbrenner said of not adding a fifth year. via Brian Hoch of MLB. “We want Gerrit to be a Yankee for life. I believe he wants to be a Yankee for life. And adding another year or not adding another year shouldn’t make any difference when it comes down to it.”

Since Cole remains under contract with the Yankees, the team is in no rush to extend his contract since the 34-year-old pitcher won’t be a free agent this offseason.

The 2024 season was Cole’s fifth with the Yankees. His season was limited to 17 games as he suffered an elbow injury. He posted a 3.41 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 95 innings on the mound. For the second-place Yankees’ postseason, Cole pitched 29 innings with 22 strikeouts, 27 hits, 13 runs and one home run.