The New York Yankees' starting pitching rotation will have a new arm in Max Fried who signed on Wednesday an eight-year $218 million contract agreed earlier this month.
With Fried's addition and Nestor Cortes' exit (traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Devin Williams), the Yankees have made a subtle yet major upgrade to their rotation, which also includes Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt.
On Wednesday, during the introductory press conference, Max Fried said about joining a star-studded rotation.
"A ton of talent," Fried said (3:17 onwards). "I mean, these guys are extremely, extremely talented. I feel like any time one of us takes the ball, we have a great chance to win that day.
"Having that in a rotation of five or six deep is important, especially over a long season. It's about going out there, putting the team in the best position to win, and ultimately coming away with a W at the end of the day—that’s the goal."
Brewers Wall of Honoree ranks Yankees rotation as the best in AL following Max Fried's addition
Brewers Wall of Honoree Dan Plesac, on Wednesday's episode of MLB Network, discussed the moves made by the Yankees after missing out signing Juan Soto to their nemesis, the New York Mets.
Max Fried, who will be pitching in the Bronx, next season has led Plesac to believe the best for the Yankees next year and going forward.
"Fried is a huge addition. Devin Williams is a huge addition to this team right now," Plesac said. "And I'm telling you right now, on paper, I'm going to say this: yes, they probably have the best starting pitching in the AL."
The Yankees are coming off a year that saw them win their first AL pennant in 15 years. However, they couldn't win the Fall Classic series against the Dodgers, losing the best-of-seven series in five games.
The one difference between their 2024 and 2025 lineups will be Juan Soto, but the Yankees seem to be making up ground to not let his void be felt.