The New York Yankees made it to the 2024 World Series thanks to the powerhouse duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. This season, however, they’re shifting their strategy, leaning on a deep and talented starting rotation headlined by their new one-two punch: Gerrit Cole and Max Fried. The Yankees secured Fried this offseason with a massive eight-year, $218 million deal, a move made possible after losing Soto to their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. While the departure of Soto was a blow, the addition of Fried offers the Yankees a fresh path to another playoff run, albeit with a different emphasis on pitching.
Fried, a 31-year-old lefty, is embracing his transition to the Bronx. Despite his eight-year contract taking him into his age-39 season, Fried has expressed hopes of earning another deal and continuing to pitch into his 40s, as reported by Chris Kirschner of *The Athletic*. If he achieves this, Fried would join an elite group of just 15 other players who have pitched 10 or more seasons for the Yankees. The last pitcher to do so was Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, who spent 11 seasons in New York after beginning his career with eight years in Cleveland.
Like Sabathia, Fried arrives in New York after eight seasons in the majors, all with the Atlanta Braves. During his time in Atlanta, Fried became a two-time All-Star and played a key role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series victory. Now, the Yankees are hoping Fried can replicate Sabathia’s success in the latter half of his career—and perhaps even help deliver a championship in his very first season in pinstripes, just as Sabathia did in 2009.
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