How Max Fried plans to elevate his game alongside Yankees star Gerrit Cole
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Follow UsThe New York Yankees had a busy offseason, making significant additions after losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to the crosstown New York Mets. Despite missing out on the star outfielder, the Yankees strengthened their roster by acquiring Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Paul Goldschmidt.
However, their most impactful move was signing left-handed ace Max Fried, who is already eager to learn from Yankees Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.
Max Fried looks to learn from Gerrit Cole
Fried, a World Series champion, recognizes the value of pitching alongside an elite talent like Cole.
“You’re talking about one of the best pitchers we’ve had over the last ten or so years,” Fried said. “He has a Cy Young and seems to be in that conversation of ‘Best Pitchers in the World’ year in and year out.”
Fried, who signed a record-setting $218 million contract for a left-handed starter, is eager to absorb knowledge from Cole’s preparation and execution.
“He knows exactly what he needs to do to be successful, and he’s extremely knowledgeable and talented. So to be able to sit and watch him work his routine, the way he goes about his preparation and everything, I’m going to soak up as much as I can.”
Cole, who won the Cy Young Award in 2023 despite the Yankees’ struggles, dealt with an elbow injury early in 2024 but returned in the second half to help lead the team to the postseason. With Fried now in the rotation, the Yankees are aiming to dominate the American League once again.
While Fried headlines the Yankees’ acquisitions, other newcomers could have a major impact. Devin Williams, one of baseball’s top relievers, arrived via trade from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Nestor Cortes Jr. and Caleb Durbin. Williams has been dominant in the regular season but has struggled in the playoffs, giving Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake a project to refine ahead of October.
Meanwhile, Goldschmidt and Bellinger add depth to an already powerful lineup. Bellinger provides defensive versatility and power, while Goldschmidt, a former MVP, brings veteran leadership and a consistent offensive presence at first base.
Marcus Stroman’s absence sparks speculation
One of the biggest questions surrounding Yankees camp is the status of Marcus Stroman. The right-hander has yet to report to training camp outside of his mandatory physical. While he is not required to practice until February 22, his absence has fueled trade speculation. With rumors swirling around Stroman, his decision to stay away from camp could amplify discussions about his future in New York.
“All in all, everyone’s been extremely welcoming, and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Fried said about his early days with the Yankees.
“I’ve heard wonderful things about him as a teammate. Guys in this clubhouse have only spoken glowingly about him. I’m really excited to meet him.”
With spring training underway, the Yankees are focused on building chemistry and fine-tuning their roster. Their revamped pitching staff, anchored by Fried and Cole, is expected to be one of the best in baseball. As new faces integrate into the clubhouse and position battles take shape, the Bronx Bombers are gearing up for another deep postseason run.
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