The Bronx Bombers may have lost Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals earlier this week, but they quickly bounced back with a major move.
Reports say the Yankees and Max Fried have reached an agreement on an eight-year, $218 million contract, marking the largest deal ever given to a left-handed pitcher.
Max Fried has been a key ace for the Atlanta Braves in recent years, forming a dynamic duo with Spencer Strider. In 2024, he posted a solid 3.23 ERA over 29 starts, bringing his career ERA to 3.07. Since 2020, his 2.81 ERA is the lowest in MLB among pitchers with at least 90 starts.
The deal represents a gamble for the Yankees, as Fried will turn 31 next month. However, the Yankees' rotation is now undeniably one of the best in baseball, and signing Fried also keeps him out of the hands of the Boston Red Sox, who were reportedly interested in him.
Fried will join Gerrit Cole as the co-ace of the staff. The Yankees also have Rookie of the Year Luis Gil in the mix, Carlos Rodón coming off a bounce-back season, and Clarke Schmidt, whose 2.85 ERA (albeit in just 15 starts) was the best of his career.
The Yankees are likely to part ways with either Marcus Stroman or Nestor Cortes to make room for Fried, who will earn just over $27 million annually.
Fried ranks among the best in the league for average exit velocity allowed and ground ball rate. While he doesn’t generate a lot of swings and misses, his ability to induce weak ground ball contact is a solid asset.
The Yankees had reportedly offered Juan Soto a 16-year, $760 million deal, but Soto ultimately chose the Mets' offer of 15 years and $765 million, which could exceed $800 million by the time all is said and done.
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