Max Fried and the New York Yankees have agreed to terms on an eight-year deal worth $218 million, according to sources. The contract has no deferred money and no opt-outs. The Average Annual Value of Fried’s new deal is $27.25 million per season.
Fried has won 73 games in the regular season, has a 3.07 career ERA and is a 2021 World Series winner with the Atlanta Braves. He spent all eight seasons in the Majors in Atlanta.
During his time with the Braves, Fried was a two-time NL All Star (2022,2024), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2020-2022) and the 2021 Silver Slugger winner. It was the last time a pitcher won the award before MLB instituted the universal Designated Hitter in 2024. This is the third notable departure from the Braves squad that won the 2021 World Series. First baseman Freddie Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 and shortstop Dansby Swanson signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2023.
It was going to be a difficult ask to keep Fried with the Braves. There were concerns regarding Atlanta brushing up against the luxury tax during free agency. Meanwhile, ahead of the Winter Meetings in Dallas, the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees were in the running for Fried’s services. However, after Juan Soto eschewed the Yankees for the New York Mets on Sunday, the Yankees went to their plan B. Fried joins a rotation featuring ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt.
What does this mean for the Braves in 2025?
Meanwhile, with Fried’s departure, Chris Sale will be the Braves’ projected ace in 2025. Joining Sale will be likely Spencer Schwellenbach and Reynaldo Lopez. There is room for at least two new arms. The wild cards in this scenario are Spencer Strider, Ian Anderson, Bryce Elder, and A.J. Smith-Shawver. Strider will from Tommy John surgery in 2025. Ian Anderson has a 3.97 ERA in 52 starts. Bryce Elder did not win the fifth and final spot in the rotation in 2024 after showing flashes of high performance in 2023. Lastly, Smith-Shawver has a lively four-seam fastball, a change-up and a curveball. However, he struggled with command in 2024. As a result, Smith-Shawver spent most of his season in Gwinnett.
