DALLAS The Yankees wouldn’t be stopped from pursuing a top starting pitcher in free agency after losing in the Juan Soto sweepstakes this past weekend.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees signed left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract on Tuesday.
It’s the biggest guarantee for a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball history. Deferrals and opt-outs are not part of Fried’s arrangement, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.Joel Sherman of the New York Post stated that he has a complete no-trade clause.
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After eight years with the Braves, Fried, 30, is a two-time All-Star starting his ninth major league season. His 2.81 ERA since 2020 ranks third among all eligible starting pitchers during that time. In those five years, he had a 54-25 record with 112 starts.
Fried, who was regarded as one of the top two starters still available this winter along with right-hander Corbin Burnes, was also targeted by other high-spending teams including the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Rangers.
The Yankees were all over Fried, according to a story by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic earlier Tuesday. They were able to dump this kind of money on a top-tier arm because they didn’t have to spend a dime on Soto after offering the superstar outfielder a record-setting deal before he chose the Mets in free agency.
Fried will join players like Carlos Rodn, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, and Marcus Stroman in the Yankees rotation, ranking No. 2 behind ace Gerrit Cole. It strengthens a strength and improves a solid starting rotation, but it doesn’t solve the Yankees’ offensive gaps. The Yankees’ run production will decline as a result of Soto’s departure, but run prevention will be aided by concentrating on acquiring elite pitching quality.
Additionally, the Yankees have seven starters on their roster right now, so they can use that depth to acquire impact bats through trades. Given how costly the market for free agency starters has been this winter, other teams might be eager to deal for one of their throwaway arms.
You may contact Max Goodman at [email protected].
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