Max Fried has joined the Yankees. It's the first move major move of the offseason since missing out on Juan Soto, and it addresses an immediate need in the starting rotation.
Arguably one of the best pitchers this decade, the 3x Gold Glover and 2x All-Star boasts an impressive 2.81 ERA in 659 innings pitched with over 600 strikeouts since the 2020 season. Brian Hoch said it best. He's a co-ace who avoids loud contact and keeps runs off the board.
This is a fantastic move. Yes the years are long, but getting a pitcher at that caliber for sub $30M year is a deal you do. He slots in as the number two pitcher and solidifies the top of the rotation. This also creates so much flexibility, with the ability of moving on from guys like Stroman and Cortes, or even trading Luis Gil while his value is at an all-time high.
With that being said, the question still stands; with no Juan Soto, what does a perfect offseason look like?
As of writing, it seems like the Christian Walker rumors are coming to fruition. A 3x Gold-Glove winner (all in the past three seasons), a career .250 batter, with three straight years of .800+ OPS and 25 homers. Some people are calling it a 2014 Brian McCann move, while others are comparing it to Rizzo. I think it's solid, and it fills the need perfectly. With that being said, I don't have the move as my perfect offseason plan, but wouldn't be mad at the signing whatsoever.
I also don't think the Yankees will go after Corbin Burnes, even though if they went full evil empire I would love it. Do I still have hope, yes, but with Fried's contract and Boras is his agent, I think it's highly unlikely he finds himself in the Bronx. I would also love a shot at Roki Sosaki, but he is sure of a lock as a Dodger as I've ever seen. So again, how do Brian Cashman and the Yankees Brass lock in the perfect winter? My thoughts below.
Yankee Free Agents
Max Fried, SP - 8 years, $218M
Jack Flaherty, SP - 5 years, $100M
Alex Verdugo, OF - 1 year, $15M
Tim Hill, RP - 2 year, $15M
Jonathan Loáisiga, RP - 2 year, $15M
Trades
Yankees Receive: Kyle Tucker - OF (Extension 8y, $300M)
Astros Receive: Luis Gil - SP & Spencer Jones - OF
Yankees Receive: Cody Bellinger - 1B/OF & Nico Hoerner- 2B
Cubs Receive: Bryce Cunningham - RHP, Marcus Stroman - SP, Trent Grisham - OF, Oswald Peraza - INF
Yankees Receive: Devin Williams
Brewers Receive: Will Warren - RHP, Nestor Cortes - SP
Yankees Receive: Andrew Nardi - LHP
Marlins Recieve: Jose Trevino - C
Yankees DFA: DJ LeMahieu
Minor League Call-Ups
INF - Caleb Durbin
C - Carlos Narvaez
26-Man Roster
1B - Cody Bellinger
2B - Nico Hoerner
SS - Anthony Volpe
3B - Jazz Chisholm
C - Austin Wells
RF - Kyle Tucker
CF - Aaron Judge
LF - Jason Dominguez
DH - Giancarlo Stanton
Bench: C - Carlos Narvaez
Bench: OF - Alex Verdugo
Bench: INF - Caleb Durbin
Bench: OF/INF - Oswaldo Cabrera
SP - Gerrit Cole (RHP)
SP - Max Fried (LHP)
SP - Carlos Rodon (LHP)
SP - Jack Flaherty (RHP)
SP - Clarke Schmidt (RHP)
RP - Mark Leiter Jr (RHP)
RP - Tim Hill (LHP)
RP - Jake Cousins (RHP)
RP - Tim Hill (LHP)
RP - Anthony Nardi (LHP)
RP - Ian Hamilton (RHP)
RP - Luke Weaver (RHP)
CL - Devin Williams - (RHP)
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