Yankees' Max Fried News Emerges Amid MLB Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Dec 9, 2025 4:38 PM ET

The New York Yankees have not yet made a major splash in MLB free agency this winter. Last offseason, however, was a memorable one in the Bronx after the team signed left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal in December 2024, making him the highest-paid southpaw in league history. Nearly a year later, Fried’s tenure in pinstripes has unfolded exactly as the Yankees envisioned.

The 31-year-old stepped into the role of staff ace following Gerrit Cole’s season-ending injury and delivered in dominant fashion. Fried appeared in 32 games, posting a 19–5 record with a 2.86 ERA. He consistently generated weak contact, racked up 189 strikeouts and anchored a rotation that kept New York in contention throughout the season.

His performance was instrumental in helping the Yankees secure a playoff berth. Fried’s presence atop the rotation gives the Yankees stability as they weigh their next moves in free agency.

New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54)© Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

As Fried prepares for the 2026 season, many of the league’s brightest stars have momentarily shifted their focus from MLB to representing their countries at the World Baseball Classic. Yankees captain Aaron Judge is among them, set to headline the tournament as Team USA’s leader.

Fried, however, has chosen a different path. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa confirmed that he reached out to invite Fried to join the roster, but the Yankees ace declined.

“Max Fried was invited to pitch for Team USA by Manager Mark DeRosa. But DeRosa said that Fried declined,” reported Jack Curry of YES Network.

Max Fried was invited to pitch for Team USA by Manager Mark DeRosa. But DeRosa said that Fried declined.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) December 9, 2025

Fried’s priority is ending the Yankees’ World Series drought, which stretches back to 2009. He knows what it takes to win after debuting with the Atlanta Braves in 2017 and spending the first eight years of his career there, including helping the club capture a championship in 2021.

Over his nine seasons in MLB, Fried has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, earning three All-Star selections, three top ten finishes in Cy Young voting and proving to be one of the best fielding pitchers in the game with four Gold Gloves.

Now with the Yankees, Fried is determined to turn his individual success into team glory and deliver a title back to baseball’s most historic franchise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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