The New York Yankees seems to be rolling in MLB free agency, positioning themselves as key players in the offseason market. While all eyes remain on Juan Soto’s looming decision, the Yankees have already set their sights on another marquee name: left-handed pitcher Max Fried.
According to Michael Kay on The Michael Kay Show, the Yankees recently had a 90-minute Zoom meeting with Fried that reportedly went “very well.” Sources close to Fried have indicated the southpaw “really, really” liked what the Yankees had to say, and plans are already underway for a follow-up conversation. This level of mutual interest could hint at serious momentum toward a potential deal.
Fried, 30, brings an impressive resume from his eight-year tenure with the Atlanta Braves. With a career 3.07 ERA over 168 appearances (151 starts), he’s proven himself as one of the most consistent and effective pitchers in the game. He’s a two-time All-Star and was the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award in 2022, cementing his status as a premier arm in baseball.
Max Fried continued to showcase his reliability last season, logging 29 starts with a 3.25 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and 57 walks across 174 1/3 innings. This marked his fifth straight season with an ERA under 3.50, showing his reliability. His ability to handle high-pressure situations and deliver results makes him a perfect fit for the Yankees. They are looking to bolster a rotation led by Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon.
Landing Max Fried would be big for New York. He would provide them with a left-handed anchor to their rotation. While it’s too early to call this deal done, the early signs are promising—and the Yankees appear ready to make a strong push to bring Fried to the Bronx.
This is not ideal for Atlanta Braves fans, as most would like to keep him pitching at Truist Park. Unfortunately, it is starting to look more and more possible that simply is not realistic.
