The New York Yankees faced a significant blow this offseason when superstar right fielder Juan Soto departed in free agency, signing a historic 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets. Soto’s departure left a massive void in the Yankees’ lineup after his stellar performance during his lone season in the Bronx. However, his exit also freed up substantial financial resources, which general manager Brian Cashman used to bolster the roster, particularly focusing on pitching and defense.
The biggest investment came in the form of starting pitcher Max Fried, who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract—the largest deal ever for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Fried, a former Atlanta Braves All-Star, has been a model of consistency in recent years, pitching at least 165 innings in four of the last six seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and an injury-limited 2022 season where he made only 14 starts. Since 2020, Fried has been one of baseball’s elite pitchers, posting a 2.81 ERA, a 151 ERA+, and earning two Gold Glove Awards and two All-Star selections.
Fried’s arrival gives the Yankees a formidable one-two punch at the top of their rotation, pairing him with reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. While Cole is expected to take the mound on Opening Day to start the 2025 season, Fried’s elite skill set positions him as a potential co-ace. ESPN’s Buster Olney even ranked Fried as the No. 7 starting pitcher heading into the season, with Cole listed among the honorable mentions.
Cole’s 2024 season was delayed due to a sore elbow, marking the first time since 2016 that he failed to make at least 30 starts in a full 162-game campaign. However, it’s premature to suggest this signals a decline for Cole, who was the best pitcher in baseball in 2023 with a 7.4 WAR and a Cy Young Award to his name.
For the Yankees, having two elite pitchers like Fried and Cole ensures a deep and dominant rotation. While neither pitcher is likely concerned with the “ace” label, their presence gives manager Aaron Boone and the front office confidence as they aim for success in 2025 and beyond.
Leave a Reply