Max Fried signed a $218 million contract with the Yankees to be part of the winning tradition in a moment he never expected.
Fried, who spent eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves and was 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA, jumped to New York to co-anchor a pitching staff with right-hander Gerrit Cole and attempt to defend the American League pennant.
“He’s definitely going to add to what is already a strength or perceived strength. You can never have enough pitching,” Yankees president Brian Cashman said. “Strike-thrower, five-pitch mix, obviously handles lefties, handles righties and continued to evolve if you’ve followed his career since he’s been a pro. … It’s been an art form for him.”
Fried suspected others would be more willing to pay top dollar to acquire him in free agency. But Cashman said after a Zoom meeting with Fried it became clear to the Yankees’ brass that dollars weren’t going to detract from their view Fried was a “safe bet.”
Not long after that meeting, it was evident the genuine mutual interest ran deep.
“When the Yankees say they’re interested in you, you perk up and you listen,” Fried said Wednesday, his first day in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium.
The 30-year-old lefty received a $20 million signing bonus as part of a deal that will pay him an average of $27.5 million per season until 2032. He said leaving Atlanta was emotional. The Braves boldly acquired Fried, the seventh pick in the 2012 draft by the Padres, four months after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 in the swap that sent Justin Upton to San Diego. He wouldn’t debut until 2017.
Fried was Atlanta’s Opening Day starter three consecutive years until Spencer Strider started the opener in 2024. Fried finished the season 11-10 in 29 starts, striking out 166.
But the pull of the fourth-largest contract ever and the biggest deal ever signed by a left-handed starter in MLB history, coupled with a tradition of winning, helped Fried decide to relocate.
“A lot of people have worn these pinstripes, even if there is a certain feel, and I’m excited about being able to put the pinstripes on in Yankee Stadium for the Yankees,” Fried said.
“When it came down to it, it just felt right.”