Max Fried Signs Record-Breaking 8-Year, $218 Million Contract with Yankees
The New York Yankees have secured left-handed pitcher Max Fried on a massive eight-year, $218 million contract, making it the largest guaranteed deal in MLB history for a left-handed pitcher. The deal narrowly surpasses David Price’s $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox signed in 2016.
Fried, 30, is set to be officially introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his excitement about adding Fried to the roster:
“He’s one of the game’s really, really good pitchers and has a great track record now of success. He’s a special talent.”
Strengthening the Yankees’ Rotation
Fried joins right-handed ace Gerrit Cole at the front of the Yankees’ rotation, forming one of the most formidable one-two pitching duos in baseball. Cole, 34, signed his own historic nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees in 2020, which was recently exceeded by the Dodgers’ deal with Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto for $325 million.
Fried’s Stellar Career
Fried spent the first eight seasons of his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, where he developed into one of baseball’s most reliable arms. Last season, Fried posted:
- A record of 11-10
- 3.25 ERA over 29 starts
- 166 strikeouts and a career-high 57 walks across 174 1/3 innings
- Led the majors with two complete games, including one shutout
Fried’s accolades include:
- Two-time All-Star (2022, 2024)
- Finished 2nd in NL Cy Young voting in 2022 and 5th in 2020
- Career stats: 73-36 record, 3.07 ERA, 863 strikeouts, and 246 walks in 884 1/3 innings
- Six complete games, including four shutouts
The Yankees’ Ambition
With Fried’s addition, the Yankees have strengthened their pursuit of another championship title, pairing him with Cole to lead a deep pitching rotation. The Yankees are banking on Fried’s consistency and experience to bring stability and dominance to the mound.
Fried’s record-setting contract highlights his value as one of the best pitchers in baseball and sets a new benchmark for left-handed pitchers in the league. As the Yankees gear up for the season, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Fried delivers in pinstripes.
