In a stunning move that reshapes the landscape of Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Max Fried, signing him to an eight-year contract worth a staggering $218 million. This acquisition comes with the security of a full no-trade clause, testament to the Yankees' commitment to making Fried a cornerstone in their quest for continued dominance.
Fried's Journey to the Bronx
Max Fried, once the ace of the Atlanta Braves, embarks on a new chapter in his career with the Yankees. Known for his crucial role in Atlanta's 2021 World Series win, Fried delivered a memorable performance in Game 6, clinching the title against the Houston Astros. His departure leaves the Braves with a compensation draft pick, set to take effect following the fourth round, a small consolation for losing an arm of Fried's caliber.
Throughout his tenure with the Braves, Fried established himself as a premier pitcher, boasting a 2.66 ERA over nearly 500 innings from 2020 through 2023. Last season, he maintained a solid 3.25 ERA across 29 starts, demonstrating his capacity to shoulder a significant workload with 174 ⅓ innings pitched.
A Perfect Fit for the Yankees' Rotation
The Yankees, who clinched both the American League East and the AL pennant last season, have further bolstered their pitching rotation with Fried's addition. He joins a formidable group that already includes stars like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, with Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes adding depth to an increasingly stacked roster.
Fried's performance metrics are worthy of the hefty investment. He ranked in the 95th percentile for controlling exit velocity last year, highlighting his ability to stifle opposing hitters. Furthermore, Fried has consistently induced ground balls at an impressive rate of nearly 60%, a skill valued highly in the short dimensions of Yankee Stadium.
Metrics and Milestones
Remarkably, among left-handed starters who have pitched a minimum of 200 innings since the beginning of the 2020 season, Fried stands unrivaled in ERA+. As noted by baseball analyst 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 dominance speaks not only to Fried's talent but also to his consistency and durability on the mound. Yet, it is worth noting that he has surpassed the 180 innings threshold only once in his career, leaving room for questions about his endurance over the long haul of an MLB season.
A Look Ahead
As Max Fried is set to turn 31 in January 2025, he enters a pivotal phase where experienced prowess and youthful energy coalesce. The Yankees are betting on this blend to lead them to the heights they have often aspired to reach but have found elusive in recent years.
While Juan Soto's monumental 15-year, $765 million deal with the Yankees' crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, has turned heads, Fried's acquisition is a strategic masterstroke for the Yankees. In a city that demands excellence on every pitch and every play, Fried's track record offers hope and expectation in equal measure.
The coming seasons will be a testament to both Fried's capability to adapt and endure in one of baseball's toughest markets and the Yankees' strategic vision. For now, fans in the Bronx can revel in the anticipation of seeing one of the game's finest left-handers don the iconic pinstripes.