Yankees Add Another Ace

 

Max Fried pitching to the Mets' Francisco Alvarez in 2023. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees added another ace to their starting rotation, as they announced officially on Tuesday the signing of Max Fried to an eight-year contract.

The left-hander is a two-time All-Star and an three-time Gold Glove Award winner who has spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves.

The Yankees can now claim to have two aces at the top of their rotation, as Fried joins Gerrit Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young winner. 

There's also 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, the big right-hander; plus  Carlos Rodon, another left-hander on a long-term contract; right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who is coming off his best season; as well as Marcus Stroman, giving the Yankees one of the deepest rotations they have had in years.

Last season, Fried went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA (earned run average), as he threw 174 1/3 innings, and allowed 71 runs (63 earned) and 57 walks, with 166 strikeouts, along with two complete games, and a shutout.

Fried, who suffered from left forearm inflammation last season, posted a 2.82 ERA, as he allowed 53 earned runs in 169 1/3 innings, in his final 27 starts, third-lowest in the National League, and fourth-lowest in the Major Leagues during that stretch (minimum of 140 innings from April 12th on).

In his eight years in Atlanta, Fried appeared in 168 games, including 151 starts, and had a record of 73-36 with six complete games, four shutouts, and had a 3.97 ERA. He threw 884 1/3 innings, and allowed 332 runs (302 earned), 783 hits and 246 walks, with 863 strikeouts. 

Since he debuted in 2017, Fried ranks seventh in win percentage (.670), fifth in ERA, and third in the Majors in home runs per 9.0 innings (0.77).

In the past five seasons, starting with 2020, Fried has gone 54-25 with a 2.81 ERA, five complete games, four shutouts, as he has made 112 starts, and allowed 225 runs (206 earned runs), 553 hits and 167 walks, with 624 strikeouts in 659 innings.