When the Yankees handed Max Fried an eight-year, $218 million deal, they weren’t just adding a frontline starter - they were bringing in a new anchor for a rotation suddenly missing its longtime ace. With Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, all eyes shifted to Fried. And to his credit, the left-hander didn’t flinch.
Fried delivered exactly what the Yankees needed - and then some. He put together a season that not only justified the investment but also helped stabilize a team that faced more than its fair share of adversity.
In his first year in pinstripes, Fried went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA over a career-high 195.1 innings. That’s ace-level production, no matter how you slice it.
He earned his third All-Star nod, took home his fourth Gold Glove, and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young race. In a pressure-cooker market like New York, that’s not just impressive - that’s clutch.
This wasn't just a solid year - it was a statement. Fried didn’t just fill Cole’s shoes; he carved out his own place atop the Yankees’ rotation.
He showed he could be the guy, the one who takes the ball every fifth day and gives his team a chance to win. And in a season where the Yankees desperately needed that kind of presence on the mound, Fried delivered.
But as strong as the regular season was, the postseason told a different story.
With the Yankees facing the Blue Jays in the ALDS, Fried was tasked with steadying the ship after a Game 1 loss. Game 2 was supposed to be his moment - a chance to show that his regular-season dominance could carry over into October.
Instead, he was tagged for seven earned runs over just three innings. It was a tough outing at the worst possible time, and it left the Yankees in a deep hole they couldn’t climb out of.
That postseason stumble is part of the reason why Fried’s first year in New York - as excellent as it was - doesn’t get a perfect score. It’s hard to ignore how much weight October performances carry in the Bronx.
The regular season is important, but the Yankees measure success in rings. And fair or not, frontline starters are judged by what they do when the lights are brightest.
There’s also the long-term picture to consider. Fried is entering his age-32 season, and there are still seven years left on his deal.
That’s a lot of mileage for a pitcher, and while his first year was everything the Yankees could’ve hoped for, it’s fair to wonder how the back end of that contract will look. Pitchers don’t always age gracefully, and the Yankees are betting big that Fried will remain effective well into his 30s.
Still, if Year 1 is any indication, this partnership is off to a strong start. Fried proved he could thrive under the New York spotlight, lead a rotation, and perform at an elite level over a full season. If he can carry that into future postseasons - and if he stays healthy - the Yankees may have found their next great left-handed ace.
For now, Fried’s debut season in pinstripes earns high marks. Not perfect, but pretty close.
The Yankees needed someone to step up in Cole’s absence, and Fried answered the call. The next step?
Turning regular-season dominance into postseason success.