The New York Yankees made it to the 2024 World Series thanks to the powerful duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. This season, they are counting on a strong and deep starting rotation, headlined by Gerrit Cole and Max Fried. New York signed Fried to a hefty eight-year, $218 million contract this offseason, a move made possible after Soto departed for their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets.
However, shifting to Fried gives New York another opportunity for a deep postseason run, though with a noticeably different strategy. The 31-year-old left-hander is fully embracing his transition to the Bronx. Despite his eight-year contract extending through his age-39 season, Fried hopes to secure another deal and keep playing into his 40s, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
If Fried secures a second contract with the Yankees, he would become part of an exclusive group of just 15 pitchers who have spent 10 or more seasons in New York, according to The Athletic. The most recent to achieve this was Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, who played 11 seasons with the Yankees after beginning his career with an eight-year stint in Cleveland.
Like Sabathia, Fried spent eight years in the majors before arriving in New York. The two-time All-Star had played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, where he won a World Series in 2021. Now, the Yankees are counting on him to have a strong second half of his career, much like Sabathia did. And perhaps, he can even help deliver a championship in his first season with the team—just like Sabathia.
Though Fried has yet to make his regular-season debut for the Yankees, he has already made a strong impression. His pitching arsenal, which earned him a runner-up finish in the 2022 Cy Young race, has left manager Aaron Boone in awe, even at this early stage of his tenure in New York.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole claimed the prestigious award in 2023, and Fried is eager to learn from his new teammate. As Cole enters his sixth season in the Bronx, the experienced veteran can provide valuable insight that Fried will undoubtedly benefit from.
Fried recognizes that playing for the Yankees carries a unique intensity unlike anything he’s experienced in the majors. “Every year, when you come into camp here, the expectation is to win the division, reach the World Series, and win the World Series. That’s everyone’s mindset. That carried a lot of weight for me,” Fried said, per The Athletic.
New York is counting on a rotation led by Cole, Fried, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, and Carlos Rodón to help deliver the franchise’s first championship since 2009.
