DALLAS — In a significant move following the loss of Juan Soto's exceptional bat to the Mets, the Yankees took a decisive step to enhance one of their key strengths. According to multiple reports, the pennant-winning team has reached an eight-year, $218 million contract with longtime Braves starter Max Fried. This deal not only stands as the largest guarantee in baseball history for a southpaw but also secures the fourth-largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history.

Contract Details and Features

Fried's pact includes a no-trade clause, ensuring his stability with the Yankees. However, it lacks opt-outs or deferrals. The New York Post's Joel Sherman provided these details. Before the Yankees made their move at the Winter Meetings, the Rangers and rival Red Sox were also in contention for Fried. According to Cot's Contracts, the Yankees' 2025 projected payroll is $250,568,047, pushing them over the first luxury tax threshold of $241 million. Fried's average annual value of $27.25 million is slightly higher than that of new teammate Carlos Rodón, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract before the 2023 season.

Impact on Rotation

With Gerrit Cole serving as the Yankees' ace, Fried provides them with a stronger No. 2 than Rodón after eight seasons in Atlanta. The 30-year-old has an impressive career ERA of 3.07, and his 2.81 mark since 2020 is the best among pitchers with at least 500 innings. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery as a prospect and dealing with some fluky issues throughout his career, including forearm injuries in 2023 and 2024 and a recurring finger blister problem, Fried has managed to stay on the mound, pitching full seasons in five of the last six years.Last season, Fried went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 29 starts and 174.1 innings for Atlanta while making his second All-Star team. He is a soft contact pitcher with a high groundball rate, using a seven-pitch arsenal that includes a four-seamer, curveball, sinker, changeup, sweeper, slider, and cutter.

Championship Experience and Team Dynamics

In addition to his strong regular season track record, Fried brings championship experience to the Yankees. He won a World Series with the Braves in 2021. However, he has a 5.10 ERA over 20 postseason games, including 12 starts. A large Yankees contingent, including Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and Matt Blake, first interacted with Fried last week through Zoom. Special assistant Omar Minaya also offered valuable insights as he was the Padres' senior vice president of baseball operations when they drafted Fried seventh overall in 2012.With Fried on board, the Yankees are improving a rotation that was already solid in 2024. On Monday, Cashman suggested that the team could build on their strengths after Soto's departure. Hal Steinbrenner noted earlier that his team "could never have enough pitching."

Trade Considerations

With Cole, Fried, Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, and Marcus Stroman all on hand, the Yankees now have options. They would love to shed Stroman's contract as he struggled in the second half and didn't pitch in the postseason, but they would need to sweeten any deal involving him. Stroman is owed $18.5 million in 2025 and can make the same amount in 2026 if he reaches 140 innings next year. Cortes, on the other hand, is a more attractive trade chip despite suffering a late-season flexor strain before returning for the World Series. The Yankees could also capitalize on Gil's success as he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.With the rotation reinforced, the Yankees now face questions at second or third base (where Jazz Chisholm Jr. can play), first base, and in the outfield. They also have some vacancies in their bullpen.