Yankees Strengthen Rotation with Fried Acquisition
The New York Yankees have made a significant addition to their pitching staff by securing left-handed pitcher Max Fried on an eight-year deal worth $218 million. This move not only enhances their rotation but also signifies their commitment to maintaining a dominant presence in the MLB. Fried’s contract is bolstered by a full no-trade clause, ensuring his long-term stay in the Bronx.
Fried, a former ace with the Atlanta Braves, comes with impressive credentials and a professional career that warrants attention. In the 2024 season, Fried maintained a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, pitching 174 ⅓ innings. These numbers contribute to an impressive stretch from 2020 to 2023, during which he delivered a 2.66 ERA across nearly 500 innings. His skill and consistency on the mound make him a valuable asset for the Yankees.
The Yankees, who clinched both the AL East and the AL pennant last season, have shown intent by adding Fried to their starting rotation. Joining forces with ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, Fried bolsters a lineup that's already loaded with talent. As additional depth, pitchers Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes further amplify the Yankees' pitching options, preparing the team for what is expected to be another competitive season in the American League.
Fried's impact in Major League Baseball has been profound. He played an instrumental role in securing a World Series victory for the Braves in 2021, famously winning Game 6 against the Houston Astros. As a pitcher known for controlling exit velocity and generating nearly 60% ground balls, Fried’s skill set is both unique and effective. Despite his talents, he has only surpassed the 180 innings threshold once in his career, which perhaps adds a layer of intrigue to how he will be utilized in the Yankees’ rotation.
His story in MLB began intriguingly with a trade involving Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres back in December 2014. Since then, Fried has evolved into one of the premier pitchers in the league. The Braves’ decision not to re-sign him has rewarded the Yankees with a pitcher of Fried's caliber.
As a consequence of Fried's departure from Atlanta, the Braves will receive a compensation draft pick following the fourth round, a small consolation for the loss of their ace. Such compensation, while beneficial, hardly replaces a player of Fried’s prowess and impact.
This move by the Yankees is a clear message to the rest of the league: they are serious contenders and have positioned themselves to remain as such for the foreseeable future. The acquisition of Fried, set to turn 31 in January 2025, provides the Yankees with not only experience but also longevity in their pitching lineup.
Fried's ERA+ highlights his exceptional performance. As R.J. Anderson 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."
Meanwhile, in another seismic move within MLB, Juan Soto inked a historic 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, truly a reflection of heavy hitters and pitchers aligning within the New York baseball scene.
As the Yankees prepare for the upcoming season, Fried stands poised to be a linchpin in their pursuit of further glory. The Yankees organization and their legion of fans will expect nothing less than excellence, and with Fried on the mound, they have ample reason to expect another banner year.