New York Yankees Sign Max Fried to 8-Year, $218 Million Contract (Sports)
December 12, 2024
After losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to the crosstown Mets, the Yankees responded by signing left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an 8-year, $218 million contract. This deal is the largest ever for a left-handed pitcher and the fourth-largest for any pitcher, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (10 years, $700 million), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12 years, $325 million), and Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (9 years, $324 million).
Fried, 30, is one of the best pitchers in the National League, playing eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. During that time, he earned two NL All-Star nominations, three NL Gold Glove Awards, helped the Braves win the 2021 World Series, and finished second in NL Cy Young voting in 2022.
Last season with the Braves, Fried posted a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, allowing 146 hits and 57 walks across 174 1/3 innings while striking out 166 batters. He will now join Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt in the New York Yankees’ starting rotation this upcoming season.
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