DALLAS — The Yankees’ Plan B begins with Max Fried, raising the question: Could they be better off without Juan Soto? While the Yankees did not secure Soto, they now have a chance to reshape their roster in a way that might ultimately benefit them more.
In light of the considerable cost associated with signing Juan Soto, how does the Max Fried contract stack up? Is there a path for the Yankees to emerge stronger overall without Soto?
Deesha Thosar: Yankees supporters can finally exhale as the team moves forward after missing out on Soto. Brian Cashman disclosed that the Yankees hesitated to make a competitive offer for Blake Snell while assessing how Soto’s decision would affect their payroll. This delay proved costly, as Snell quickly signed with the Dodgers. Consequently, the Yankees’ front office made a strategic move to pursue Fried, another elite left-handed pitcher, just two days after Soto joined the Mets.
By extending Fried’s contract, the Yankees managed to lower his annual average value to $27.25 million, preserving their ability to make additional moves this winter.
Interpreting Cashman’s comments, it seems the Yankees might not have pursued Fried if they had landed Soto. Thus, they are beginning to enhance their roster in multiple ways, even in Soto’s absence.
The Yankees’ rotation now features seven starters. Alongside Fried, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to remain key players, while at least one of Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, or Marcus Stroman may be traded. Although the Yankees’ offense may suffer without Soto, they could strengthen it by trading a pitcher or two for a powerful bat.
This leads to the growing logic behind pursuing a trade for Cody Bellinger. Bellinger’s adaptability allows the Yankees to utilize him at first base, center field, or right field. While he may not match Soto’s caliber, his left-handed hitting could thrive in Yankee Stadium. With a salary of $27.5 million this season and a player option for $25 million in 2026, the Yankees still maintain payroll flexibility after signing Fried.
Fried’s reliability stands out. His skill in generating ground balls and soft contact has resulted in a remarkable 2.81 ERA over the last five years, marking the best performance among pitchers with at least 500 innings during that span. He has consistently maintained a 3.25 ERA or lower each year in that timeframe.
While Fried ranks among the elite free-agent pitchers this winter, he may be slightly behind Corbin Burnes and Snell for a contending team seeking postseason impact. His challenge in consistently striking out batters has led to difficulties in recent playoffs, where he has allowed 14 runs (12 earned) over his last three appearances dating back to 2022. Nevertheless, he delivered six shutout innings in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, playing a pivotal role in the Braves’ championship run.
To bolster their lineup, the Yankees might need to consider acquiring two of Alex Bregman, Christian Walker, or Teoscar Hernández. Additionally, pursuing Cody Bellinger seems logical, given his potential to contribute in center field and at first base.
