Yes, the Yankees lost Juan Soto, and yes, the Yankees did sign Max Fried. Ever since they lost their core player to the Mets, the Yankees are trying to do everything they can to get as many talented players as they can in this free agency. Their biggest move till now? Signing Max Fried to an eight-year deal of $288 million. The contract does not have any deferrals but does have a no-trade clause.

The lefty pitcher will be officially introduced on Dec. 18 at an introductory press conference. Jon Morosi of MLB Network said that the New York Yankees were apparently willing to go even higher than a seven-year deal to lock down the lefty. And in doing so, they outbid the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. The Yankees did what they could not do with Soto. The club handed Fried the largest contract for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history.

Why did the Yankees sign Max Fried?

It’s easy to see why the Yanks went all in for Fried. Since 2019, the southpaw has been downright dominant, posting a 3.07 ERA over 824 2/3 innings. Only one pitcher in all of baseball has been better in both ERA and innings: Gerrit Cole, who Fried will now join at the top of the Yankees’ rotation. A duo like that? It could get nasty for opposing teams. Max Fried’s baseball journey has been anything but predictable. Back in 2012, the San Diego Padres saw something special in a young lefty from the Los Angeles area, selecting him with the seventh overall pick in the draft. But just two years later, he found himself traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Over the next eight seasons, Fried developed into the rock-solid starting pitcher the Braves leaned on year after year. By the time he left Atlanta, his numbers spoke for themselves: a 3.07 ERA over 884 1/3 innings. Yet, when the postseason came, Fried’s story started to change. He delivered one of the most memorable moments in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series. But beyond that magical night, Fried’s postseason resume is more uneven. Is it just bad luck, or will those playoff struggles be visible in Yankee Stadium too? Time will certainly tell whether Max Fried can thrive in New York’s postseason pressure, but the buzz around his potential move to the Yankees is already heating up. Fans, always vocal and never shy about their opinions, have a lot to say about the idea of Fried donning the pinstripes.

Fans react to the southpaw’s official welcome by the MLB in a post

When MLB officially announced Max Fried’s move to the Yankees, X didn’t take long to react. One user summed up the sentiment with a simple but brutal take: “Zero aura.”

 It’s clear that some fans aren’t sold on Fried being the spotlight-ready ace the Yankees need. The idea of him wearing the pinstripes doesn’t evoke the same swagger that, say, a Gerrit Cole or a C.C. Sabathia might bring. Whether or not Fried can develop that “aura” over time is something fans will be watching closely. Some users were concerned especially about Fried’s injury history. One user wrote, “He’s prone to injury,” echoing a worry many fans have had about the lefty.

This concern stems from the fact that the 30-year-old’s left forearm irritation put him on the injured list shortly after he pitched in this year’s All-Star Game. Additionally, the southpaw also had problems with sores on his fingers. One X user couldn’t help but take a playful jab at his look, commenting, “Hey bud, you gotta shave.”

The comment caught the attention of fans who were more focused on Fried’s scruffy appearance. In New York, the spotlight isn’t just on your performance; it’s also about your presence, and for some fans, the idea of a clean-shaven, well-groomed pitcher feels like part of the Yankee tradition. Of course, it was all in good fun, but the playful criticism highlighted the pressure that comes with being a Yankee. Another user commented with: “Now let’s get some hitters 🔥.” Many fans are excited about the addition of Fried but know the Yankees’ lineup still needs some serious firepower to truly contend.

This person was concerned with the fact that pitching alone won’t be enough to bring the Yankees back to the top of the AL East.Fans are hoping that this is just the beginning of a larger plan, one that brings in a big bat to complement Fried’s arm. Another comment read, “Max Fried in the Bronx? This is going to be fun to watch! 🔥” And honestly, who could blame them?

Fried, now set to share a rotation with Gerrit Cole, instantly gives the Yankees one of the most dynamic pitching duos in baseball. The idea of these two facing off against some of the best lineups in the league, particularly in the postseason, has fans buzzing with anticipation.