Jewish Pitcher Max Fried Inks Historic Deal with NY Yankees
Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the San Diego Padres during game two of the Wild Card series at Petco Park on October 2, 2024, in San Diego, California. The New York Yankees have signed left-handed pitcher Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract — the largest ever for a left-handed pitcher, MLB.com announced on December 10, 2024.
Fried, who turns 31 in January, emerged as one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason after an impressive eight-year tenure with the Atlanta Braves, during which he won a World Series title. He now joins a Yankees team that recently suffered a World Series loss and the departure of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who signed a $765 million deal with the Mets.
The Los Angeles native, who idolized Hall of Famer and fellow Jewish lefty Sandy Koufax, will likely finish his career in the city with the world’s largest Jewish population. Fried joins Jewish pitcher Scott Effross, who came to the Yankees in 2022 but missed much of 2023 and 2024 due to injuries. Additionally, Jewish Yankees pitching prospect Eric Reyzelman is making his way through the minor leagues.
Some Jewish Yankees fans are already celebrating Fried’s groundbreaking contract.
Fried has a career 3.07 ERA across 151 starts, earning two All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and a 2021 World Series ring. He was the runner-up for the 2022 National League Cy Young Award. In 2024, he recorded an 11-10 record, a 3.25 ERA, and 166 strikeouts over 174.1 innings pitched.
Fried’s $218 million deal, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, surpasses the previous record for left-handed pitchers set by David Price’s seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2015.
It also marks the most lucrative contract ever for a Jewish player, more than doubling Alex Bregman’s five-year, $100 million deal with the Astros in 2019. Shawn Green had previously held the record with his $84 million contract with the Dodgers in 1999.
Bregman, a two-time All-Star and World Series champion, is currently the top free-agent hitter on the market and could exceed Fried’s deal. The Astros and Red Sox are considered the frontrunners to sign the 30-year-old third baseman.
Other Jewish free agents this offseason include Joc Pederson, Kevin Pillar, and Rowdy Tellez.
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