Yankees Make a Bold Move: Signing Max Fried to an Eight-Year Deal
The New York Yankees have bolstered their pitching rotation by acquiring left-handed pitcher Max Fried. In a move that has sent ripples across Major League Baseball, Fried has inked an eight-year, $218 million contract with the illustrious franchise. The terms of the deal also feature a full no-trade clause, ensuring Fried's presence in the Bronx for the foreseeable future.
A Stalwart in the Rotation
For those following Fried's career, this move comes as a significant but not entirely unexpected development. After establishing himself as the ace of the Atlanta Braves, Fried now joins a Yankees’ rotation that already includes renowned arms like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. Complementing them are the talents of Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, along with Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes, adding depth and versatility to the Yankees’ pitching staff.
Fried's journey from Atlanta to New York is a testament to his consistent performance. His role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series triumph remains fresh in fans' memories, especially his memorable win in Game 6 against the Houston Astros. From 2020 through 2023, Fried maintained a remarkable 2.66 ERA over nearly 500 innings, a testament to his reliability and dominance on the mound.
An Enviable Track Record
The 2024 season was yet another banner year for Fried. He pitched 174 ⅓ innings across 29 starts, maintaining a respectable 3.25 ERA. Notably, his exceptional ability to control exit velocity saw him rank in the 95th percentile last season, a testament to his skill in minimizing hard hits. Fried's knack for inducing ground balls, consistently generating nearly 60% of them, further underscores his effectiveness and strategic acumen on the field.
Despite these impressive stats, Fried has surpassed the 180 innings threshold only once in his career, hinting at considerations Yankees management might have factored into contract negotiations.
Setting a High Bar
R.J. Anderson once 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." This accolade not only highlights Fried's exceptional skill set but also sets the expectations high as he dons the pinstripes.
Compensation and Future Prospects
As Fried departs from Atlanta, the Braves will receive a compensation draft pick following the fourth round—an acknowledgment of the gap left by his departure. His tenure in Atlanta was marked by significant milestones, not least of which was his contribution to their championship-winning squad and his storied trade from the San Diego Padres involving Justin Upton back in December 2014.
Meanwhile, the Yankees, fresh off clinching both the AL East and the AL pennant last season, are intent on translating that momentum into a World Series run. With Fried in the mix, they have fortified their rotation, keen on leveraging his elite ground-ball rate and disciplined approach on the mound.
As Fried prepares to make his Yankee debut, the baseball world watches with keen anticipation. Turning 31 in January 2025, the left-hander enters this new chapter with a well-formed legacy and the potential for even greater achievements under the bright lights of New York City. This acquisition by the Yankees is not just a testament to their ambition but a signal to the rest of the league that they are serious about reclaiming their place as baseball's champions.