Fastball

New Yankees Pitcher Max Fried at the Top of Awesome Baseball History Over Last Five Years

Fried signed an eight-year deal worth $218 million on Tuesday, and his past production certainly warranted a big price.

Brady Farkas

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at Truist Park in 2024.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at Truist Park in 2024. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
In this story:

After missing out on a Juan Soto reunion over the weekend, the New York Yankees made their move in free agency, signing left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year deal worth $218 million. Fried's signing will give the Yankees a star-studded rotation, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon sitting at the top. American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil figures to be the No. 4 while Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Marcus Stroman battle for the fifth spot.

It would seem possible that at least one of those three is now a trade candidate, if not two of the three.

While Fried's contract number is big, so is his history of production. In fact, he's not at the top of some impressive league history over the last five years.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

lowest ERA since start of 2020 (min 550 IP):

Max Fried: 2.81
Corbin Burnes: 2.88
Zack Wheeler: 2.94
Max Scherzer: 3.02
Gerrit Cole: 3.12
Framber Valdez: 3.12

Fried, who is about to turn 31 years old, helped the Braves win the World Series back in 2021. He'll try to help New York win the World Series this season after they fell three wins short in the Fall Classic this year against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He is a two-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glover with a lifetime record of 73-36 and a lifetime ERA of 3.07.

In addition to Fried, the Yankees are expected to continue to make splashes in the free agent market. They've been connected to both Christian Walker and Alex Bregman as well.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/History