New Yankees All-Star Expected to Become $189M ‘Nightmare’

The New York Yankees just signed their latest star free agent, but expectations are already growing.

When the Yankees lost Juan Soto to the rival New York Mets, they shifted their strategy to stockpiling All-Star talent on other parts of the roster. Their biggest expense by far was the addition of Max Fried to the starting rotation.

Fried’s eight-year contract, worth $218 million, is the fourth-largest ever signed by a starting pitcher and the largest ever signed by a left-hander. He will be under immense pressure to continue playing into his 30s, as he is already 31 and entering his first season in the Bronx.

Will the Yankees come to regret giving Fried such a big contract?

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report considers this a highly likely outcome. Rymer recently appointed Fried among 10 Major League Baseball players whose contracts are most likely to become “nightmares” by 2027.

“(It should) be noted that the ZiPS projection system values ​​Fried’s next eight seasons at just $120 million,” Rymer wrote. “That’s about half of what he’ll get from the Yankees, and it’s not even surprising.”

“All will be forgiven if Fried is part of a World Series winner, but it’s not a given. And if it doesn’t happen soon, it might not happen at all.”

Starting in 2027, Fried will owe $189 million over the remaining six years of his contract.

Fried has a career ERA of 3.07 and has been one of baseball’s most consistent and effective pitchers of the last half-decade. However, there have been some health issues with his arms over the past couple of years, and his signature curve is no longer as sharp as it once was.

Ultimately, success in the Bronx relies on championships, and Fried could very well help the Yankees win their first World Series in 16 years (or more). Only if he doesn’t will critics start bashing the Yankees for signing him.

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