Yankees Secure Max Fried to Bolster Rotation with an Eight-Year Deal
In a decisive move that cements their ambition for the upcoming seasons, the New York Yankees have inked left-handed pitching ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. This acquisition not only elevates the team's pitching roster but also sends a resounding message across Major League Baseball about the Yankees' commitment to maintaining their competitive edge. Fried's contract, which includes a full no-trade clause, confirms the Yankees' long-term faith in his capabilities.
Fried, once the ace pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, carries with him an impressive record that Yankees fans hope will translate into success at Yankee Stadium. His performance over recent seasons underscores the value of this investment. In the 2024 campaign, Fried compiled a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, throwing 174 ⅓ innings, maintaining consistency that the Yankees desperately needed in their rotation.
From 2020 through 2023, Fried was nothing short of spectacular, boasting a 2.66 ERA across nearly 500 innings. His ability to quell opponent offenses was never more apparent than during the Atlanta Braves' 2021 World Series run, where Fried shone brightly, winning Game 6 and clinching the championship against the Houston Astros.
As the Braves bid farewell to their star lefty, they'll receive a compensation draft pick following the fourth round, illustrating the loss of a cornerstone player in Fried. His move to New York signifies a turning of the page for both the Braves and Yankees. The Yankees, who clinched both the AL East and the AL pennant last season, are looking to Fried to provide the steady arm that leads them back to World Series glory.
A Stacked Rotation with Strategic Depth
With Fried's inclusion, the Yankees' pitching rotation is shaping up to be a formidable force. He joins an already impressive lineup featuring Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. The depth doesn't end there; Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes are also part of the Yankees' expansive pitching arsenal. This depth is essential, offering manager Aaron Boone a range of options to navigate through the grueling MLB season.
Fried's proficiency isn't limited to his ERA stats. He ranked in the 95th percentile for controlling exit velocity last season, a testament to his ability to manage hitters' power contact effectively. Additionally, his knack for generating nearly 60% ground balls showcases his skill in inducing plays that his defense can capitalize on. Though critics point out that Fried has only surpassed the 180 innings threshold once in his career, there's little doubt about his ability to lead from the mound.
A Proven Track Record
The left-hander's career trajectory offers a compelling narrative for any baseball enthusiast. He initially became part of the Braves in a trade involving Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres back in December 2014. From there, Fried steadily grew into the role of a reliable starter, one whom R.J. Anderson brilliantly described when he said, "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."
As Fried approaches his 31st birthday in January 2025, there's a palpable excitement about the potential impact he could have wearing the pinstripes. The Yankees' secured post-season ambitions hinge significantly on pitching performances, and Fried appears poised to play a pivotal role.
This signing marks a new chapter for Max Fried and the Yankees, a union that brings together an elite pitcher with an illustrious franchise. The Yankees are banking not only on Fried's past achievements but also on what he can accomplish in the years ahead, as they strive to add more chapters to their storied history.