The New York Yankees are focused on re-signing outfielder Juan Soto, but general manager Brian Cashman has other priorities on his winter agenda. One of those is acquiring a top pitcher like Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves. With Blake Snell recently signing a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fried is now the top remaining left-handed pitcher available in free agency.
A two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Fried has been a reliable ace for the Braves since becoming a full-time starter in 2019. Over his last 824 2/3 innings, he has a 71-31 record, a 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 797 strikeouts. Additionally, Fried brings substantial postseason experience, having logged 67 playoff innings, despite a 5.10 ERA, and was part of Atlanta’s World Series championship in 2021. The Yankees are actively pursuing the 30-year-old, and early signs are positive, according to Yankees announcer Michael Kay.
Kay reported on Wednesday’s radio show, “The Yankees had a 90-minute Zoom call with Max Fried yesterday, and it supposedly went very well. Somebody close to Fried said he really liked them, and it seems they’ll have another meeting soon.” Fried is expected to secure a deal worth over $100 million, with MLB Trade Rumors predicting a six-year, $156 million contract, though this could increase depending on the demand for starting pitchers. The Yankees will face competition for his signature, including from the Boston Red Sox, setting the stage for a potential bidding war between rivals in the American League East.
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