After missing out on Juan Soto, the Yankees pivoted to Plan B quickly. Those plans included bolstering their rotation with southpaw Max Fried. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the two sides agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract pending a physical. It is the largest contract for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history and the fourth-largest contract for a starting pitcher.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the contract has no opt-outs or deferrals and has a full no-trade clause.
Fried, 30, spent his eight-year career as a member of the Atlanta Braves. He holds a 3.07 ERA and 1.164 WHIP through 884.1 innings pitched with 246 walks and 863 strikeouts. He is 17th in bWAR among active pitchers (23.1) and carries a career 140 ERA+. A two-time All-Star and Gold Glove recipient, Fried finished second in Cy Young voting in 2022 and fifth in 2020. He also won a Silver Slugger Award.
Injuries have plagued Fried throughout his career, missing time as recently as early 2024 with forearm issues. He still made 29 starts in 2024 but only 14 in 2023. Since he rejected the Braves’ qualifying offer in November, the Braves will earn a Draft Compensation pick after Round 4.
The Mets were not in on Fried, but according to a report from The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays remained favorites on the southpaw. According to Tim Healey of Newsday, the Mets are not expected to land Corbin Burnes either and might turn to the trade market for rotation help or middle-tier starters to round out their rotation.
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