In a Major Move, Yankees Secure Max Fried with an Eight-Year Deal
The New York Yankees have made a significant addition to their roster, signing left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year contract worth an impressive $218 million. The deal, which includes a full no-trade clause, signals the Yankees' commitment to bolstering their pitching rotation as they aim to remain competitive at the highest levels of Major League Baseball.
Max Fried, who turns 31 in January 2025, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Yankees' lineup. Known for his exceptional control and ability to generate ground balls, Fried has established himself as one of the premier left-handed starters in the league. His performance with the Atlanta Braves was nothing short of stellar, and his signing marks a pivotal moment for the Yankees as they prepare for the upcoming seasons.
Fried’s Journey with the Braves
Fried's career with the Braves was marked by numerous highlights, including playing a crucial role in Atlanta's 2021 World Series victory against the Houston Astros. Winning Game 6 of the series, Fried cemented his status as a clutch performer on the big stage. Over the past four seasons, from 2020 through 2023, he posted an impressive 2.66 ERA across nearly 500 innings, underscoring his consistency and reliability as a top-tier starting pitcher.
Last season alone, Fried managed a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, pitching 174 ⅓ innings. Despite battling some injuries during his career, he remains a formidable presence on the mound, consistently ranking in the 95th percentile for controlling exit velocity. His ability to generate nearly 60% ground balls is an asset that the Yankees are eager to incorporate into their game strategy.
Impact on the Yankees’ Rotation
The acquisition of Max Fried significantly strengthens the Yankees' pitching rotation. Already featuring prominent names like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, the addition of Fried brings depth and talent that could prove instrumental in their pursuit of postseason success. The Yankees are also counting on contributions from Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes to provide further depth and support.
Of particular note is Fried’s ERA+, a metric where he has outshone many of his contemporaries. As sports writer R.J. Anderson aptly 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."
Considerations for the Braves
Max Fried's departure from the Atlanta Braves does, however, come with its ramifications for his former team. As compensation for losing a key player, the Braves will receive a compensation draft pick following the fourth round. While it represents a loss for the Braves, they will undoubtedly be focused on leveraging this opportunity to strengthen their roster in other ways.
Fried's journey to the Yankees caps off a chapter that began in December 2014 when he was involved in a trade with Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres. Since then, Fried has evolved into one of the most respected pitchers in the league, a trajectory that the Yankees are optimistic he will continue in the Bronx.
Ambitions for the Future
As the Yankees look to the future, the addition of Max Fried positions them well to build on their recent successes, including clinching both the AL East and the AL pennant last season. With a fortified pitching rotation and the backing of a front office willing to invest in talent, the Yankees stand poised to make a serious run at the World Series. For Yankees fans and baseball enthusiasts, the upcoming seasons promise to be an exciting time as the team strives to add another chapter to its storied history.