The New York Yankees have struck gold once again in the Major League Baseball offseason carousel. This time, they have bolstered their pitching ranks, signing left-handed pitcher Max Fried to a lucrative eight-year contract valued at $218 million. This deal, underscored by a full no-trade clause, positions Fried as a central figure in an already formidable Yankees rotation.
A Coveted Addition
Max Fried, a former ace for the Atlanta Braves, brings a wealth of experience and exceptional performance to the Bronx. Having anchored the Braves' rotation for several years, Fried leaves Atlanta on the back of an impressive 2024 season, where he maintained a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, covering 174⅓ innings. From 2020 through 2023, Fried culled a remarkable 2.66 ERA across nearly 500 innings, exhibiting consistency and dominance on the mound. Perhaps most notably, Fried played a pivotal role in the Braves' 2021 World Series triumph, sealing the deal by winning Game 6 against the Houston Astros.
The Yankees’ Rotation Dynamics
By bringing Fried on board, the Yankees further solidify their rotation, joining forces with stalwarts like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. The depth doesn’t end there; Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes are additional arms contributing to the Yankees' pitching lineup. Fried's addition bolsters a rotation that last season captured both the AL East title and the AL pennant.
While Fried does add heft to the Yankees’ roster, he has only surpassed the 180 innings threshold once in his career. Nevertheless, his ability to control the game—epitomized by ranking in the 95th percentile for limiting exit velocity last season and producing nearly 60% ground balls—cannot be overlooked. This level of skill, only accentuated by his outstanding ERA+, shines through in the puzzling observation by R.J. Anderson: “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."
Implications for Atlanta and Beyond
Max Fried’s transition from the Atlanta Braves is not without reverberations for his former team. By departing Atlanta, the Braves are set to receive a compensation draft pick following the fourth round. Fried's departure marks the end of an era for Atlanta, a side he bolstered impressively after joining in a trade from the San Diego Padres involving Justin Upton back in December 2014.
Fried's Legacy and Impact
As Max Fried prepares to don the Yankees' pinstripes, his legacy as one of the premier pitchers in the league endures. Turning 31 in January 2025, Fried's contract is designed to keep him in New York through the twilight of his prime, giving the Yankees a steady hand amid the rigors of the MLB season. This acquisition, following the signing of Juan Soto by the New York Mets for a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal, underscores the fierce competition between the two New York franchises and sets the stage for potentially thrilling future matchups.
As the Yankees look to build on their continued success, the acquisition of Max Fried emerges as a strategic and valuable move. His prowess on the mound promises to provide the Yankees with the edge needed to vie for the World Series once more, revitalizing their championship aspirations and delighting fans eager for October glory.