Breaking-News: Yankees’ $218 Million Free Agent Deal Slammed As ‘Nightmare’ Contract—Here’s Why It Could Backfire!

The New York Yankees strengthened their pitching staff by signing Max Fried from the Atlanta Braves to an eight-year, $218 million contract. Fried, widely considered the top left-handed pitcher available, became a priority for the Yankees after Juan Soto joined the New York Mets.

Fried has been a dominant force in the National League, but Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer raised concerns about the long-term viability of his contract. Rymer pointed out that the ZiPS projection system estimates Fried’s next eight seasons to be worth just $120 million—half of what he’ll receive from the Yankees.

Rymer also highlighted injury concerns, noting that Fried underwent Tommy John surgery as a prospect and has had forearm issues, including a strain in 2023 that sidelined him for three months. Additionally, Fried’s performance dipped in 2024, with a decrease in his whiff and barrel rates, including a less effective curveball. While a World Series title could validate the contract, Rymer warns that without that success soon, the deal may become problematic.

The analyst suggests that for the contract to be worthwhile, the Yankees must win a World Series within the next two years. In 2024, Fried posted an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts.

Fried himself admitted to being surprised by his decision to sign with the Yankees, especially after the team lost Soto to the Mets. Despite expectations that the Yankees would pursue top hitters, they made Fried their first move.

I was fairly surprised at the beginning, but when the Yankees say they’re interested in you, you listen,” Fried said. “The standard they hold and the responsibility that comes with wearing the pinstripes is something I’m extremely excited to take on.” He added that the Yankees’ motto—“prepare, compete, win”—resonated deeply with him as a player.

Fried, a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, was highly sought after. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed that Fried was their top free-agent target, citing his outstanding performances against the Yankees while with the Braves. “Max Fried was at the very top of the list for us,” Cashman said. “He was someone we’ve watched from afar and dreamed about having here in pinstripes.”

Fried boasts a 73-36 record with a 3.07 ERA in his MLB career.