The New York Yankees have made a significant move this offseason by securing the services of Max Fried, a left-handed pitching ace formerly with the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees have signed Fried to an impressive eight-year contract worth $218 million, a deal that carries a full no-trade clause, ensuring Fried's future in the Bronx for the foreseeable future.
This signing marks a pivotal reshaping of the Yankees' pitching rotation, which already boasts the likes of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes. The addition of Fried adds depth and a left-handed advantage to an already robust roster.
An Ace from Atlanta
Fried's journey from Atlanta to New York is steeped in success and high expectations. As a former ace for the Braves, Fried's performances have been nothing short of stellar. With a 3.25 ERA through 29 starts in the 2024 season and 174 ⅓ innings pitched, Fried continues to demonstrate his consistency and resilience on the mound.
From 2020 to 2023, Fried maintained a remarkable 2.66 ERA in nearly 500 innings. His ability to secure crucial victories was exemplified in the Braves' 2021 World Series campaign where Fried's standout performance in Game 6 against the Houston Astros solidified his reputation as a clutch performer.
A Boost for the Yankees Rotation
Fried joins a Yankees team that recently clinched both the AL East and the AL pennant, underscoring their status as major contenders in the league. His addition represents a strategic enhancement to their rotation offering a left-handed option that complements their current lineup.
The Yankees' organization prides itself on assembling a pool of talented pitchers, and Fried's arrival only amplifies their overall depth. In the previous season, Fried ranked in the 95th percentile for controlling exit velocity, a testament to his effective pitching style that includes generating nearly 60% ground balls.
However, there are areas where Fried will look to expand further. Despite his successes, he has only surpassed the 180 innings threshold once in his career. While workload management remains a pivotal element of modern pitching, Fried will aim to continue performing at the highest level for an extended period in pinstripes.
Max Fried's New Chapter
The move to the Yankees also marks a new chapter for Fried. Having been an integral part of the Braves' lineup for years, his departure grants the Braves a compensation draft pick following the fourth round, as his contributions to the franchise are duly acknowledged.
The Yankees' strategic acquisition is not without historical context. Fried’s career has been punctuated by notable trades and achievements; he was an esteemed part of a multi-player exchange involving Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres back in 2014. Now heading into the next chapter, Fried is poised to leverage his expertise and bolster the Yankees' championship aspirations.
The League-Wide Impact
Meanwhile, another player making headlines is Juan Soto, who recently committed to a monumental 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, creating further intrigue in the New York baseball landscape.
As Max Fried prepares to turn 31 in January 2025, he brings a wealth of experience and skill to a Yankees team poised to contend for titles. The full no-trade clause underscores the mutual commitment between Fried and the Yankees, a partnership aiming for sustained success across baseball's most revered theater.
Fried's presence is set to make waves in the league and carries a sentiment expressed succinctly 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." This underscores Fried's elite status and the challenge he presents to batters across Major League Baseball.
The Yankees, with Fried now in their ranks, look set to continue their storied tradition, harnessing both historic and new talent in pursuit of yet another World Series title. As Spring approaches, expectations will rise as Fried readies himself to make an indelible mark in the heart of New York.