New York Yankees Sign Max Fried to an 8-Year, $218 Million Deal
After Soto’s Departure to the Mets, the Yankees Hit the Market Strongly Signing Fried to 8-Year $218M Deal
No Soto? No Worries, the Yankees Got Fried!
It looks like the New York Yankees finally dug themselves out from the ditch they put themselves in after Juan Soto’s departure to the Mets a few days ago, as MLB news reported that Aaron Boone’s team is signing left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal.
Breaking: Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on an eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell @JeffPassan.
It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher. pic.twitter.com/fr3OdA9a6u
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2024
Fried, a two-time All-Star and one of the best pitchers the National League has seen in the last seasons as a part of the Atlanta Braves will join New York after posting a league-leading 2.81 ERA on average in his last five seasons in the ATL, topping another ace the Yankees have been keeping an eye on according to MLB rumors, Corbin Burnes.
Max Fried has been a DEMON on the bump since the 2020 season, and is now a DOMINANT force in this Yankees’ rotation🔥
2.81 ERA | 1.09 WHIP | 624 K | 659.0 IP
What an INCREDIBLE add⚡️#Yankees pic.twitter.com/zjGA6WHTLb
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) December 11, 2024
For a team that was taking a beating left and right from fans and critics for the whole Soto situation, signing Fried can easily be one of the best redemption moves New York could pull off.
New York’s Beefing Up Its Rotation
I fancy myself quite the pitching connoisseur. Not to brag, but back in the day, as a kid living in Fort Lee, New Jersey, I could pitch a mean screwball, had a nasty split-finger ball, and could toss a curve here and there.
Now, one of the things that made me fall in love with pitching back in the late 90s was the depth the Yankees had in their starting rotation. We’re talking David Cone, Andy Pettite, Mike Mussina, David Wells (my personal favorite), and one Mr. Mariano Rivera closing.
Ok, back to the present day.
Since I’ve watched MLB games, the Yankees have always boasted of having some of the deepest rotations in pro ball. With Fried joining the helm as a potential #2 behind Gerrit Cole, this could be one of the best rotations the “Bronx Bombers” have had for years.
A look at the Yankees rotation with the reported signing of Max Fried 💪
via @fangraphs pic.twitter.com/uTsn1URc25
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 10, 2024
With Cole leading, Fried at second, a healthy Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Marcus Stroman closing out, talk about a shutout squad. Throw in Nestor Cortez with that shimmy shake wind-up, and what could go wrong?
So, Who’s Next Up in the Yankees’ Shopping List?
Now that Soto’s gone and Fried is here, what’s next for the Yanks? Is it worth trying to go after yet another starter for the rotation? Yes, the idea of bringing in Burnes, Tanner Scott, or Jeff Hoffman does sound appealing. It would make New York’s rotation a must-bet for MLB baseball parlay picks.
But what about looking at the infield instead? As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Anthony Rizzo. But let’s face it. Rizzo is far from being the player he once was, making the Yankees strongly ache at first base.
So, with a player like former Arizona Diamondbacks 1st baseman Christian Walker, who is coming off winning the NL Gold Glove and gliding through free agency, why not pull the plug and bring him to the Bronx?
#Yankees and Christian Walker talks have been growing as the night goes on.
Reports are that the #Yankees have an offer around 3 yrs / $63m right now.
Do you think the reigning AL East Champs land their second big FA signing of the day? pic.twitter.com/TWNkTYvURH
— Batters Box (@BattersBoxNews) December 11, 2024
Walker is ready for a big-time move, and the Yankees need a big-time first baseman to improve their betting odds for next season. It’s now up to General Manager Brian Cashman to make the right move.
