When Juan Soto went to the Mets, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Max Fried was at the top of his list of players he wanted.
The Yankees then signed Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, the largest contract for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history.
Fried was introduced at a news conference Wednesday as the centerpiece of a new Yankees team that has also added Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams via trade since Soto's departure.
“We are protecting what is ours.” [American League] We won the title with a completely different crew,” Cashman said.
And they're not done yet. Even with the acquisition of a new top left-hander in the rotation, a dominant closer and a slugger who can start in either center field or first base, Cashman still has a lot of work to do. The GM said he will remain involved in the first base, second base and bullpen markets as holes remain.
But it's unlikely that bringing in Fried, who has developed into a highly effective starter for the Braves despite his injury issues, would create a bigger buzz than bringing in Fried.
The Yankees like the 30-year-old's ability to throw a wide range of pitches and the fact that he looks a little different than other hard-throwing players.
However, he has only pitched more than 175 innings once and has been plagued by forearm, soft tissue and blister issues.
The Yankees will take their chances.
“We feel like we've added a championship piece to the rotation,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“We're excited that he wanted this opportunity,” Cashman said. “He wanted New York. He wanted to come here to join an already strong rotation.”
Cashman called Fried an “artist on the mound” as well as a “five-pitch pitcher who has evolved over time.” …This is a big deal, that's for sure. ”
The soft-spoken Fried, whose first thought after signing a huge contract was buying food for his dog Apollo, is looking forward to the added pressure of pitching in the Bronx. he said.
“Wearing pinstripes also comes with responsibility,” Freed said. “Last week, as I walked through the clubhouse, I saw three words on the wall: 'Prepare, Compete, Win.' I thought about that a lot. For me as a player, it really stuck with me. It resonated. Winning is a priority for me. I love playoff baseball.”
Fried has plenty of experience pitching for the Braves in October, but he has a 5.34 ERA in his past 13 postseason appearances (12 starts).
The Yankees are already struggling with another high-priced free agent left-hander in his first year in the Bronx, with Carlos Rodon having a slump in 2023 before a bounce-back season in 2024.
Fried and Yankees executives believe the Padres' ceiling is even higher with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 draft from a high school player.
When healthy, Fried has typically been effective since his debut in 2017, and will be part of a rotation that includes Gerrit Cole as well as Rodon, Clark Schmidt and Lewis Gil, but Marcus Stroman is likely looking for that position. bull-pen.
It's a much different offseason than the Yankees would have had had Soto not left on a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets.
“In the case of Juan Soto, it was a generational talent coming off the board and we went in a different direction,” Cashman said.
The Yankees would have to wait until the Soto verdict before Cashman could sign another high-priced free agent, preventing them from making a bid for left-handed ace Blake Snell or infielder Willie Adams.
Both sides signed contracts before Soto's decision.
The trade for Bellinger gives the Yankees some flexibility, as Bellinger can play all three spots in the outfield as well as first base.
However, the Yankees will likely add at least one more infielder, as well as some bullpen players.
Then they will hope to repeat last season's success, even without Soto.
