This offseason, the New York Yankees added former Atlanta Braves All-Star Max Fried to their starting rotation. Count Yankees ace Gerrit Cole among those who are eager to see how Fried performs in pinstripes. “Just an excellent addition,” Cole told reporters on Saturday.
Cole described Fried as a “unique talent” who would be a good match in New York. Fried inked an eight-year, $218 million contract in December.
According to the New York Post, Cole described himself as an oddity in various ways while also being a well respected teammate.
“It’s been fun to get to know him through texting and talking on the phone through the offseason and then the five or six days I’ve been here as well,” according to Cole. “It’s just been a pleasure to watch him go about his work.”
Fried was 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA over eight seasons with the Braves. The two-time All-Star was one of the National League’s most efficient pitchers over the last four years, averaging 4.1 bWAR (Wins Above Replacement) with a 2.87 ERA.
“He’s made an effort to really engage and interact with his teammates and get to know everyone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
“It’s been how you hope a big free agent acquisition coming in [would be],” Boone said more broadly.
Fried will start as the Yankees’ second starter unless something unexpected happens or an injury occurs. Cole is the established ace, with unreliable lefty Carlos Rodón seen as the likely third starter.
Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, should complete out the starting rotation. It’s unclear what the Yankees will do with veteran Marcus Stroman, who stated Friday that he doesn’t see himself as a reliever.
Despite signing a huge contract with the reigning American League champs, Fried isn’t pleased. He made it plain that he aims to suck up as much knowledge from Cole as possible during their time together.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to win,” Fried declared. “Anything I can learn from him that I can add to my game, I’m all ears.”
