There were no tickets available for Sunday’s power vs. power showdown of Aaron Judge against Gerrit Cole, because none were sold. With the Yankees stars under long-term contracts and expected to play the rest of their careers in pinstripes,

Two stalwarts of the Yankees were up against each on opposite sides of the plate. Before the Yankees' spring training game on Sunday, former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole faced some of the best hitters, including Aaron Judge, in a live batting session.

Gleyber Torres, who signed with the Detroit Tigers in the offseason after seven seasons with the Yankees, told reporters Friday that he was surprised by the decision but understood that a number of players still with the team would like to grow out their facial hair more than what was previously allowed.

Aaron Boone went from having to police stubble to having to determine what qualifies as a “well-groomed” beard.

Cole, who signed a record-setting nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season, opted out of the final four years and $144 million left on his deal on Nov. 2. The Yankees had the ability to void that opt-out by adding an additional year and $36 million to Cole’s pact, but they decided against that.

While Cole praised his fellow Boras Corp. client, he also spoke highly of the Yankees' offseason moves following Soto's departure.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole's contract status for 2025 and beyond was briefly up in the air in early November, but things were resolved.