The New York Yankees reached the World Series in 2024 on the strength of their potent one-two punch of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. This season, the Yankees are relying on a talented and deep starting rotation led by the one-two punch of Gerrit Cole and Max Fried.

The team had already talked to the lefty starter a week before Juan Soto made his decision to sign a 15-year contract with the Mets.

Fried was the franchise's big acquisition this offseason. After losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees pivoted and inked Fried to the largest contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. They gave the two-time All-Star an eight-year deal worth $218 million.

If there’s any advice I would give Max Fried, the shiny new toy in the Yankees’ starting rotation, it’s this: Get off to a fast start. Talk to Carlos Rodon about what happens to big-money free agents who come down with a case of Bronxitis in April.