As first reported by Jeff Passan, Braves ace Max Fried has inked an eight-year deal worth $218 million to join the New York Yankees.
Breaking: Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on an eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell @JeffPassan.
It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher. pic.twitter.com/fr3OdA9a6u
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2024
The Braves were always viewed as long shots to retain Max Fried, and as early offseason signings were made, it became more clear that they never really stood much of a chance. Alex Anthopoulos isn’t one to pay sticker price for anything, and an eight-year contract worth more than $200 million is well north of sticker price.
The Yankees had cash burning in their pockets that they were hoping to spend on Juan Soto. So did several other teams, which couldn’t have worked out better for second-tier stars like Max Fried.
Across eight seasons with the Braves, the 30-year-old southpaw recorded a 73-36 record with a 3.07 ERA. He has been the leader of Atlanta’s rotation for the last half-decade, developing into arguably the most consistent left-handed pitcher in the game. However, he will always be remembered most around Braves Country for his gutsy Game 6 performance against the Houston Astros, when he tossed six innings of scoreless baseball, leading the club to its first World Series since 1995.
The future is always unknown, but what Yankees fans can hang their hats on with this acquisition is they got an absolute bulldog on the mound. There are few things that I have enjoyed more during my time covering the Braves than watching Max Fried compete every five days. There was never a moment too big or a situation too difficult for him to overcome. He is the ultimate competitor and will be dearly missed inside Truist Park.
—
Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.