The New York Yankees added another major piece to their already stacked rotation on Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with All-Star left-hand pitcher Max Fried.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Fried received an eight-year, $218 million contract from the Yankees. It is the largest deal given to a left-hand pitcher in MLB history.
Only two lefties broke the $200 million mark before. David Price received a seven-year, $217 million contract from the Boston Red Sox in 2015, and Clayton Kershaw signed a seven-year, $215 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014.
BREAKING: Left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2024
Fried made 29 starts with the Atlanta Braves in 2024, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and two complete games. He earned his second career All-Star nod.
The Yankees signed Fried just a couple of days after missing out on superstar slugger Juan Soto, who decided to sign with their cross-town rivals Mets. They now have arguably the best rotation in baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, All-Stars Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman, and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.
Max Fried spent his entire MLB career with the Braves, who gave him his majors debut in 2017. He has a career record of 73–36 with a 3.07 ERA and 863 strikeouts. Fried has one All-MLB First Team and two All-MLB Second Team honors on his resume, alongside three Gold Glove Awards and a World Series ring from 2021.
