You just knew the Yankees wouldn’t wait long to make a big splash after losing out in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, New York has agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million contract.
Dating back to 2020, Fried’s 2.81 ERA is actually the lowest of all qualified starters with at least 500.0 innings thrown. The left-hander isn’t a strikeout savant, yet he’s maintained his fastball velocity and his career 23.9% strikeout rate is above-average. Fried’s real value is in his ability to suppress launch angle and his unwillingness to walk opponents. Those skills could age quite well, though Fried will be almost 39-years-old when this deal comes to an end.
Fried’s presence in the Bronx only strengthens an already impressive Yankees’ rotation. The southpaw will now join the likes of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. This news also likely makes Marcus Stroman the subject of trade talk. The veteran has one-year left on a $37.5 million contract he signed last winter.
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, New York is currently +850 to win the World Series. Those are the lowest odds among all AL squads and the third-lowest overall, trailing only the Dodgers (+350) and the Braves (+750), Fried’s old club.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
