Jeff Passan, ESPN
Two-time All-Star Max Fried and the New York Yankees have agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. This is the largest guaranteed amount for a left-handed pitcher.
The deal, pending physical examination, is the 12th contract the Yankees have paid at least $100 million in franchise history, breaking the franchise’s tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most.
The 30-year-old Fried, who has developed into one of the National League’s best pitchers in his seven years with the Braves, is a two-time All-Star and has a 2.81 ERA over the past five seasons with Atlanta, which is tops in the majors. This was higher than Corbin Burnes (2.88) among MLB starting pitchers during this period.
Although he doesn’t overwhelm hitters with raw talent, his artistry on the mound and ability to get deep into the game were appealing to teams looking for an Opening Day-type starter.
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Two days after outfielder Juan Soto was traded to the rival Mets in the largest contract in professional sports history, the Yankees moved to acquire Freed, who was also wanted by the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. Ta.
Fried joins one of the deepest rotations in baseball, which already includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clark Schmidt, Nestor Cortez and Marcus Stroman.
His $218 million contract exceeds that of David Price, who signed with the Red Sox in 2015 for $217 million. Price and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw ($215 million) are the only left-handed pitchers with $200 million contracts.
Fried’s career has included ups and downs in postseason performances, but no one can forget his six-inning shutout in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series in Atlanta. Fried arrived in Atlanta as the headliner in a trade for Justin Upton after undergoing subsequent Tommy John surgery. He had two disappointing seasons in San Diego’s farm system.
Fried, the No. 7 pick in the 2012 draft, is a classic high-spin left-handed pitcher who expected his command to be his biggest strength.
Player Contract Team RHP/DH Shohei Otani 10 years old – $700 MLADRHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto 12 years old – $325 MLADRHP Gerrit Cole 9 years old – $324 MNYYRHP Stephen Strasburg 7 years old – $245 MWSHLHP Max Fried 8 years old – $218 MNYY– ESPN Research
It proved prophetic. Fried’s best pitches are his curveball and slider, and although models consider his fastball to be below average, it’s the way he handles his fastball and his ability to mix it up that has given him continued success. . Over the past five years, he ranks third among all pitchers in WAR by Baseball Reference and 11th by FanGraphs.
The biggest question regarding Fried is whether he can evolve into that rarest kind of starter: productive and prolific. His career-high innings total of 185 1/3 was set in 2022.
In 2024, with Braves co-ace Spencer Strider sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, Fried pitched two complete games with a 3.25 ERA, 166 strikeouts, 57 walks, and just 13 home runs in 174/3 innings pitched to MLB. I came out on top. His annual ERA over the past four seasons was 2.25, 3.04, 2.48, and 2.55.
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
