The Yankees’ pursuit of Max Fried gains momentum after the first meeting

The New York Yankees are expected to be among the biggest players in MLB free agency. As the baseball world continues to eagerly await Juan Soto’s decision, the Yankees have begun to put pressure on some of the other top free agents on the market.

According to a report by Michael Kay on The Michael Kay Show On Wednesday, New York had a 90-minute Zoom call with left-handed pitcher Max Fried that went “very well.” Kay states that “someone on the Fried side” said that the leftist “really really” liked the team and that they are already planning another meeting.

Fried, 30, spent the first eight years of his career with the Atlanta Braves. In 168 career appearances, including 151 starts, the southpaw has a 3.07 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 73 wins. He is a two-time All-Star and was a runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award in 2022.

Last year, Fried made 29 starts and posted a 3.25 ERA with 166 strikeouts and 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. It was his fifth consecutive season with an ERA under 3.50.

From the Yankees’ perspective, it’s easy to see the appeal. Widely considered one of the best forces available in free agency, Fried would immediately improve the team’s starting lineup, which currently consists of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil.

Fried would be a huge asset to New York if they could agree on terms, and it appears they have gotten their talks on the right track based on Kay’s report.