ESPN: The Yankees and the gifted superstar had a fruitful encounter.
This offseason, the Yankees’ attempts to re-sign Juan Soto have taken center stage in the Bronx, but they are also creating the framework for other free agency options. Michael Kay of the YES Network was the first to disclose that the Yankees met with longtime Braves lefty Max Fried this week for ninety minutes. Kay also said that the meeting went well and that a follow-up meeting is anticipated. The two sides met, according to Mike Puma and Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Yankees’ delegation included pitching coach Matt Blake, manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman, and up to six additional organization personnel. The Yankees met with Corbin Burnes late last month, Puma and Sherman say.
Naturally, Soto continues to be the Yankees’ #1 priority. Although the Yanks have the financial means to do so, it seems improbable that they would sign him to what increasingly looks to be a $600 million+ contract and then spend more than $150 million on one of Fried or Burnes. Still, it makes sense that any contender for Soto would research backup plans in case he signs with someone else. One such option would be to load up on elite beginning pitching and take various approaches to the lineup. (Notably, shortstop Willy Adames, who is open to playing second base or third base for a new team, has also been connected to the Yankees recently.)
One of the most costly staffs in the league is already employed by the Yankees. Next year, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman due a total of $81MM. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects that Nestor Cortes will make $7.7 million. The estimated salary for Righty Clarke Schmidt is $3.5MM. Luis Gil, the recently named Rookie of the Year, is still in his pre-arbitration years. This winter, there have been rumors that the Yankees may trade Stroman or Cortes, and both of those rumors look likely. A trade somewhere in the rotation would be all but guaranteed if someone of Fried of Burnes were added.
Cole would be right at the top of what might be a formidable Yankees rotation with Burnes or Fried. Both pitchers would cost the Yankees their second- and fifth-highest draft picks, as well as $1 million in space from their 2025 bonus pool in international free agency, because they turned down qualifying offers from their previous organizations. That’s a minor cost for a pitcher of any caliber.
Since the 2020 season, Fried, who turned 31 in January, has racked up 659 innings of 2.81 ERA ball. In terms of ERA throughout that period, he is third among all eligible starting pitchers, only behind Clayton Kershaw (2.79), and Brandon Woodruff (2.76). Compared to both of those pitchers, Fried has thrown over 200 more innings. He didn’t have the finest season in 2024, but only in comparison to his high expectations. With 29 starts and 174 1/3 innings pitched, he recorded a clean 3.25 ERA.
