ESPN: The Yankees signed a “nightmare” contract with a $218 million free agent.

Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves joined the New York Yankees to strengthen their rotation.

Fried agreed to a $218 million, eight-year contract with the Yankees. After Juan Soto joined the New York Mets, New York seized the opportunity to add Fried to the rotation since he was the best left-handed pitcher available.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Reports called Fried one of his nightmare contracts by 2027, despite Fried’s dominance as a pitcher in the National League.

However, Rymer noted that Fried’s next eight seasons are only worth $120 million according to the ZiPS projection algorithm. It’s hardly even shocking that that’s around half of what he’ll receive from the Yankees. For starters, there is a chance of getting hurt when eating Fried. In addition to the minor ailments he has sustained as a major leaguer, he had Tommy John surgery as a prospect. Two more concerning issues include a forearm strain that missed him three months in 2023 and another forearm problem from the previous year.

“Fried experienced a decline in both his whiff rate and barrel rate between 2023 and 2024,” Rymer continued. Even his curveball, which was less successful than it had been in previous years, was affected by them. If Fried is a member of a World Series winning team, all will be forgiven, but that is rarely the case. Furthermore, it could not occur at all if it doesn’t happen quickly.

Fried’s contract’s second half might be problematic, according to the expert. According to Rymer, the Yankees must win the World Series within the next two years for the contract to be worthwhile.

In 2024, Fried made 29 starts with the Braves and finished 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA.

Fried acknowledges that signing with the Yankees surprised him.
Many anticipated that the Yankees would strive to add the best bats available after Soto was lost to the Mets.

But Fried, a left-hander who expressed astonishment at landing in the Bronx, was the first player the Yankees signed.

“At first, I was a little taken aback, but when the Yankees express interest in you, you get excited and pay attention,” Fried remarked. “You understand the high standards the Yankees have, and wearing the pinstripes has a certain expectation and obligation, which I am really eager to assume. Prepare, compete, and win are the three words that were written on the wall. It struck a deep chord with me as a player and especially as a competitor.

Fried is a three-time Gold Glover and two-time All-Star.

Fried was their top target, according to the New York GM.
According to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, Fried was their top free agency priority going into the summer.

According to Cashman, they wanted to add Fried to their rotation since he was the greatest arm available.

“We were aware of the free-agent options available when we began this winter program. For us, Max Fried was at the top of the list,” Cashman said. “We had observed him from a distance. Pitching for the Braves, he definitely gave us a hard time a couple of times. Along the road, I kind of dreamed that “if that opportunity ever came up, it would be nice to have that lefty here in pinstripes.”

Fried’s MLB record is 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA.