Yankees Land Lefty Ace Max Fried in Blockbuster Signing
In a significant offseason move, the New York Yankees have bolstered their pitching rotation by signing renowned left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year contract worth $218 million. This agreement, which includes a full no-trade clause, positions the Yankees to continue their recent success after clinching both the AL East and the AL pennant last season.
Fried, previously the ace of the Atlanta Braves, brings with him an impressive track record. He posted a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, pitching 174 ⅓ innings during the 2024 season. From 2020 through 2023, Fried maintained a sterling 2.66 ERA across nearly 500 innings, numbers that underscore his consistency and durability on the mound. His ability to control exit velocity ranked in the 95th percentile last season, and he's notably able to generate nearly 60% of balls hit against him as ground balls. Despite surpassing the 180 innings threshold only once in his career, Fried’s contribution on the field is undeniable.
Fried's legacy with the Braves includes a pivotal role in the team’s 2021 World Series victory, where he clinched Game 6 against the Houston Astros. His departure from Atlanta, a team he had been with since a December 2014 trade involving Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres, earns the Braves a compensation draft pick following the fourth round.
Joining a Yankees rotation that already boasts the likes of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, Fried’s signing provides the team with one of the most formidable pitching lineups in Major League Baseball. Additional rotation depth comes from Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes, adding further layers of resilience to the Yankees' pitching strategy.
As Fried approaches his 31st birthday in January 2025, his addition signifies the Yankees' commitment to building a championship-caliber team for the foreseeable future. His impressive record, often compared favorably amongst left-handed pitchers in the league, sets high expectations. As R.J. Anderson noted, "We wanted to print a complete list of left-handed starting pitchers with a better ERA+ than Fried since the beginning of the 2020 season, but we ran into a problem. You see, no sinister hurler who had a decent amount of innings (min. 200 combined) actually placed ahead of him in that metric."
In an offseason noted for its significant contracts, Fried’s move to the Yankees comes alongside the monumental signing of Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. These moves highlight a fiercely competitive environment within the league, particularly in New York, a city now home to two of MLB's most high-profile recent acquisitions.
The Yankees' strategic signing of Fried not only elevates their pitching staff but also sends a clear message about their aspirations to return to the World Series stage. With Fried’s ability to consistently deliver under pressure, the Yankees have made a strong statement in their pursuit of championship glory. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the Bronx Bombers to see how this high-stakes investment pays off.