In a marquee move that has sent shockwaves throughout Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees have signed Max Fried, a premier left-handed pitcher formerly anchoring the Atlanta Braves' rotation. Fried inked an eight-year deal valued at $218 million, a contract that secures his services in the Bronx while including a full no-trade clause.
Fried, who played a pivotal role in the Braves clinching the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros, is renowned for his ability to suppress opposing offenses. Last season, he maintained a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, amassing 174 ⅓ innings of work. From 2020 through 2023, Fried posted a stellar 2.66 ERA over nearly 500 innings, a testament to his prowess and dependability on the mound.
Speaking of Fried's exceptional skill, baseball analyst 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." Fried consistently ranks in the 95th percentile for controlling exit velocity, a statistic underscoring his ability to neutralize bats.
An Impact on Both Franchises
Fried's departure from Atlanta triggers a compensatory mechanism for the Braves, who gain an extra draft pick following the fourth round. This opportunity could help them replenish their pitching depth or develop future talent. For New York, Fried bolsters a pitching rotation already teeming with talent. Joining forces with stars like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, along with notable contributors Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes, Fried's addition fortifies an already formidable Yankees rotation.
The Yankees dominated their competition last season, securing both the AL East title and the AL pennant. With Fried now in the mix, the Yankees' ambitions soar even higher, as they aim to secure their first World Series championship since 2009. A challenge Fried seems more than up to, given his track record under postseason pressure.
Reflections on an Era
Fried's journey to the Yankees is a culmination of a decade-long career that initially saw him as part of a significant trade involving Justin Upton and the San Diego Padres in December 2014. Throughout his career, Fried has become a cornerstone of resilience and skill. Notably, his ability to induce ground balls has been a hallmark, achieving nearly 60% in ground ball rate consistently. However, it's noteworthy that Fried has surpassed the 180 innings mark only once in his career, which the Yankees will consider as they manage his workload.
The Yankees' investment in Fried reflects a commitment to pitching excellence as the linchpin of their strategic vision. It aligns with a broader trend in professional baseball, where the significance of dominant pitching is ever-more acknowledged and rewarded. This strategic maneuver by the Yankees reinforces the organization's storied history of acquiring elite talent to deliver on the perennial expectations of championship success.
As the 2025 season approaches, anticipation builds around the new dynamics in New York’s rotation. Fried will celebrate his 31st birthday in January and enters this critical phase of his career with a team poised for further success. Undoubtedly, the marriage between Fried's pitching art and New York's championship aspirations holds the promise of a thrilling chapter in the annals of Yankees' history.