Max Fried was signed to the largest contract ever given to a lefty pitcher, but he won’t be the ace of the Yankees staff.
That honor goes to Gerrit Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young winner who has been dominant across his Yankee career and in the postseason. For Fried, he is more than happy to take on a No. 2 role and watch Cole work from up close after admiring his craft from afar.
“He’s one of the best pitchers of the generation,” Fried said. “He’s had a lot of success. He’s been in the Cy Young running year in and year out. He’s an established superstar in this game. For me to be in a rotation and be able to pick his brain a little bit, I feel like there’s only gonna be benefits.
“I’m excited to be able to sit and watch every one of his starts.”
Speaking with Suzyn Waldman after Wednesday’s introductory press conference, Fried doubled down on his excitement to share a rotation with Cole, along with another high-priced lefty in Carlos Rodon and the reigning Rookie of the Year in Luis Gil.
“I look forward to being able to sit down with him and pick his brain,” Fried said of Cole.
“It’s nice to slide into a rotation where whoever is taking the ball that day, you know you have a chance to win.”