NEW YORK — Max Fried found himself in an unexpected situation wearing the classic pinstripes of the Yankees. “When the Yankees express interest in you, it certainly gets your attention,” the left-handed pitcher remarked during his introductory press conference on Wednesday, following the conclusion of a substantial $218 million, eight-year contract.
This lucrative agreement came to fruition after the Yankees missed out on outfielder Juan Soto, who opted to join the rival Mets. Fried reflected on the significance of the Yankees’ uniform, stating, “Many impressive players have donned these pinstripes. There is a unique aura attached to it.”
Fried’s contract stands as the most substantial ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, surpassing David Price’s previous record of a seven-year deal valued at $217 million with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2016 season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Fried’s talent, saying, “He’s proven to be an exceptional pitcher, benefiting from a solid record of success.”
As part of his contract, Fried receives a $20 million signing bonus, with half disbursed on January 31 of both 2025 and 2026. In terms of salary, he will earn $12 million during the first two years, followed by an impressive $29 million each year for the subsequent six seasons.
Yankees supporters were understandably upset after Soto chose the Mets’ astounding 15-year, $765 million deal over the Yankees’ own $760 million, 16-year offer. This prompted the team to shift their financial focus toward strengthening their starting pitching, although Fried comes with some concerns given his history of injuries. Since 2018, the two-time All-Star has found himself on the injured list ten times, with at least one occurrence in each season.
Fried’s new deal places him fourth among pitcher contracts, right behind three notable players: Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers ($325 million for 12 years through 2035), Gerrit Cole from the Yankees ($324 million for nine years through 2028), and Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals ($245 million for seven years through 2026). Notably, Strasburg has not taken the mound since 2022 and has since retired.
After spending the first eight years of his career with the Atlanta Braves, Fried is set to experience a new chapter with the Yankees, joining a competitive rotation that includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman.
In his last five seasons, Fried boasts a commendable record of 54 wins against 25 losses and an impressive ERA of 2.81, including five complete games and four shutouts in 112 starts. This past season, he was one of the only three pitchers in the league to achieve two complete games, amidst a total of just 16 across Major League Baseball.
Fried, a three-time Gold Glove winner, is celebrated for his diverse pitching arsenal, employing seven distinct pitches. His fastball averaged 93.9 mph this year and was used 33.6% of the time, while he also incorporated curveballs (21%), sinkers (15.6%), changeups (13.6%), sweepers (5.9%), sliders (5.6%), and cutters (4.7%).
During the 2023 season, Fried recorded an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts, tallying 166 strikeouts while issuing a career-high 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, he dealt with a bout of left forearm neuritis, marking the seventh consecutive season he has been placed on the injured list.
His previous stints on the injured list include various ailments—blisters on his pitching hand, groin strains, back spasms, and a concussion—collectively raising concerns over his durability.
“There are risks involved,” Boone acknowledged, “but we believe in Fried’s capabilities. His preparation and training reflect his commitment to becoming a consistently reliable pitcher.” Fried has shown significant promise in past seasons, achieving an impressive 14-7 record with a 3.04 ERA in 2021 and notable performances in the World Series, along with a strong showing in 2022 where he made his first All-Star team with a 14-7 record and a 2.48 ERA. In 2023, he further solidified his status with an 8-1 record and a 2.55 ERA in 14 starts.