Max Fried is Bronx bound on an eight-year deal worth $218 million, and while he represents an undeniable boost to the rotation and gives the Yankees a co-ace behind Gerrit Cole, some criticized the length of the deal for a player set to turn 31 years old in a month.
Sal Licata says critics of the contract are missing the point.
“Who cares about the years? It’s about the total dollar amount,” Sal said. “Max Fried wasn’t going to sign with the Yankees for anything less than $218 million.
“He did the Yankees a favor by making it over the course of eight years. They have Max Fried working more - the extra year - for the same amount of money.”
The Yankees have made a habit out of offering longer contracts to soften the AAV blow - and in turn, the luxury tax penalties - over the years. They signed DJ LeMahieu to a six-year deal after his consecutive MVP-caliber seasons. They reportedly offered Juan Soto an extra 16th season. Now, they signed Fried to eight years, and Sal says fans shouldn’t care about what the contract will look like at the end of its run, especially when the goal is for the Yankees to win now while Cole and Aaron Judge are in their prime.
“Okay, in years 4-8 it might not be as good. Who cares about that?” Sal said. “It’s about winning right now. He was the best pitcher on the market if you ask me...it was a move they had to make.
“Don’t get caught up in the years. It’s the total dollar amount. This is a good move by the Yankees.”