When Juan Soto bolted for the Mets, Yankees normal supervisor Brian Cashman mentioned one participant was on the high of his want checklist: Max Fried.
The Yankees then signed Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal, the most important contract in MLB historical past for a left-handed pitcher.
Fried was launched on the Stadium throughout a information convention Wednesday because the centerpiece for this new-look Yankees crew that’s additionally added Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams in trades since Soto’s departure.
“We’re defending our [American League] title with an entire completely different crew,’’ Cashman mentioned.
They usually’re not completed, as even with a brand new top-of-the-rotation lefty, a dominant nearer and a slugger who can begin both in middle subject or at first base, Cashman nonetheless has loads of work to do, with the GM saying he stays engaged within the first base, second base and bullpen markets, as a result of holes stay.
However they’re unlikely to make a extra important splash than bringing in Fried, who developed into a really efficient starter with the Braves, albeit with some harm points.
The Yankees just like the 30-year-old’s means to throw all kinds of pitches and the truth that he’s obtained a little bit of a unique look than a few of his hard-throwing counterparts.
Nevertheless, he’s exceeded 175 innings pitched simply as soon as and has been bothered by forearm, soft-tissue and blister points.
The Yankees will take their possibilities.
“We really feel like we added a championship piece to the rotation,’’ supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned.
“We’re excited he wanted this opportunity,” Cashman mentioned. “He wanted New York. He wanted to come here to join an already formidable rotation.”
Cashman known as Fried an “artist on the mound,” in addition to “a five-pitch pitcher who’s evolved over the course of time. … It’s a big contract, no doubt about that.”
The soft-spoken Fried — who mentioned his first considered what to do after signing his big contract was to get meals for his canine Apollo — mentioned he’s trying ahead to the added strain of pitching in The Bronx.
“Putting on pinstripes, responsibility comes with that,’’ Fried said. “Last week, I was walking through the clubhouse and three words were put up on the wall: ‘Prepare, compete and win.’ I thought a lot about that. To me, as a player, it really resonated with me. Winning is a big priority for me. I love playoff baseball.”
Fried has loads of expertise pitching in October with the Braves, although he has a 5.34 ERA in his previous 13 postseason appearances (12 begins).
The Yankees have already seen one other high-priced free agent lefty battle in his first yr in The Bronx, with Carlos Rodon pitching poorly in 2023 earlier than a bounce-back season in 2024.
Fried and the Yankees hierarchy consider there’s the next ceiling for the seventh-overall choose within the 2012 draft by the Padres out of highschool.
When wholesome, Fried usually has been efficient since his 2017 debut, and he’ll be slotted right into a rotation that features Gerrit Cole because the ace, in addition to Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, with Marcus Stroman doubtless on the lookout for a spot within the bullpen.
It’s a a lot completely different offseason than the Yankees would have had if Soto didn’t go away for the Mets’ 15-year, $765 million deal.
“In Juan Soto’s case, it’s a generational expertise that got here off the board and we went in a unique course,’’ Cashman mentioned.
The Yankees needed to wait till they obtained the Soto verdict earlier than Cashman may signal one other high-priced free agent, stopping him from bidding on lefty ace Blake Snell, in addition to infielder Willy Adames.
Each signed offers earlier than Soto’s choice.
The commerce for Bellinger offers the Yankees some flexibility, as Bellinger can play all three outfield spots, in addition to first base.
However the Yankees doubtless will add a minimum of one other infielder, in addition to extra bullpen items.
Then they’ll hope to duplicate the success they’d final season, even with out Soto.
