THE New York Yankees declined to add a fifth year to Gerrit Cole’s remaining contract, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want the ace to retire in pinstripes.

Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner made that clear Wednesday when he told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch that he wants Cole “to be a Yankee for life.”

“But let me just say that this in no way reflects how we feel about Gerrit. We want Gerrit to be a Yankee for life,” Steinbrenner told Hoch and other reporters. “I think he wants to be a Yankee for life. And adding or not adding one more year should make no sense in this regard.

Cole initially opted out of his nine-year, $324 million contract after the season. The Yankees declined the option to add a year at $36 million to the end of the deal, but Cole ultimately decided to re-enter the deal that will pay him $144 million through 2028.

Steinbrenner said he “wasn’t in a position where I felt comfortable going for a fifth year (to extend Cole’s contract through 2029).”

Still, Steinbrenner, who is in contact with Cole at times throughout the year, said he thinks Cole has shown he wants to stay in the Bronx.

“I think he wants to be a Yankee for life,” Steinbrenner said. “And adding or not adding one more year should make no sense in that regard.”

Following his Cy Young-winning 2023 season, Cole had an injury-riddled 2024. He made just 17 starts, the fewest of his career outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

He struck out 99 batters and pitched to a 3.41 ERA. In the postseason, Cole made five starts, striking out 22 with a 2.17 ERA.

The Yankees’ main focus this offseason has been re-signing superstar slugger Juan Soto.

More MLB: Yankees Owner Talks Manager Aaron Boone’s Future