Yankees’ Meeting With $156M All-Star Ace ‘Went Very Well’ as Bidding War Looms

The New York Yankees are focused on trying to re-sign outfielder Juan Soto. But there are other things general manager Brian Cashman needs to cross off his winter to-do list. It sounds like one of those items is landing an ace like Atlanta Braves hurler Max Fried. Now that Blake Snell has signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fried is the next-best southpaw available via free agency. A two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner, Fried has been a dependable ace for the Braves since becoming a full-time starter in 2019.

The lefty has posted a 71-31 record with a 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 797 strikeouts in his last 824 2/3 innings. Fried will also bring lots of postseason experience to whichever team he signs with. Although his playoff ERA is 5.10, he’s racked up 67 innings and was part of Atlanta’s World Series title run in 2021.

New York is officially in pursuit of the 30-year-old and initial signs are promising, according to Yankees play-by-play announcer and ESPN radio personality Michael Kay.

“The Yankees had a 90-minute Zoom call with Max Fried yesterday, and it supposedly went very well,” Kay said during Wednesday’s radio show. “Somebody who’s on the Fried side said that Max really, really liked them and apparently they’re going to have another meeting as well.”

Fried is expected to land a nine-figure deal on the open market. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he’ll sign a six-year, $156 million deal, but that could go up depending on how the starting rotation market develops. There should be plenty of suitors competing with the Yankees for his services. This includes the Boston Red Sox, which could set up another intriguing bidding war between bitter American League East rivals.

Yankees Land $24 Million Anthony Rizzo Replacement in Blockbuster Trade Idea

The New York Yankees are busy trying to re-sign outfielder Juan Soto to a big-money deal. However, general manager Brian Cashman also needs to fill a hole at first base after declining Anthony Rizzo’s 2025 club option. Could Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz be a solution for the Bombers?

That area of the diamond was essentially a black hole for New York in 2024. Five different players combined to be worth -1.1 WAR at first base, according to FanGraphs. Only three other teams – the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds – were worse.

Díaz’s 2024 performance took a slight step back after posting a .932 OPS and winning a Silver Slugger Award in 2023, but he’d still be a huge upgrade for the Yankees. He slashed .281/.341/.414 with 14 home runs and 65 RBI in 621 plate appearances for the Rays.

Would Tampa Bay be open to trading Díaz within the American League East? It’s likely possible if the price is right. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden discussed what New York might have to offer to get something done.

“In return, the Rays might be able to land two prospects such as speedy center fielder Brando Mayea and righty Zach Messinger, who could develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter,” Bowden wrote.

Landing Díaz would provide the Yankees with an affordable multi-year solution for first base. He’s entering the final guaranteed season of a three-year, $24 million deal in 2025 and will earn $10 million next season. There is also a $12 million club option in place for 2026, which would be the right-handed hitter’s age-34 campaign.