Blockbuster Move: Yankees Make Stunning Decision on Max
Max Fried may have quietly stepped into the ace role for the New York Yankees with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season, but that doesn’t mean every outing he makes generates major buzz. His starts aren’t always the most thrilling for everyone—just ask Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. While Volpe acknowledges Fried’s performance with a smile, he jokingly laments, “It’s fun… but sometimes boring.” That’s the trade-off when your pitcher thrives on efficiency and ground-ball outs.
In his debut season wearing pinstripes after signing a massive $218 million contract, Fried has been exactly what the Yankees needed. Following a solid win against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, Fried has now posted a brilliant 1.88 ERA across 24 innings over his first four starts for New York. He’s tallied 28 strikeouts, issued only five walks, and surrendered just five earned runs—an impressive display of command and control.
Fried’s style isn’t flashy, but it’s incredibly effective. He works quickly, consistently hits the strike zone, and induces weak contact. He can strike batters out when necessary, but more often than not, he relies on soft contact that rarely requires much defensive effort. For a player like Volpe, that means a lot of routine, uneventful innings at shortstop. Still, even Volpe admits there’s something to admire about the way Fried controls the pace of a game.
His presence has been a steadying force for a Yankees rotation that’s faced some early adversity. With Cole out and Luis Gil dealing with inconsistencies, Fried’s poise and performance have given the Yankees a dependable anchor. Though the lineup is loaded with offensive firepower, it’s the calm consistency of Fried’s arm that may be setting the overall tone.
Managerially, it’s a dream to have a pitcher who minimizes stress and maximizes efficiency. Fried has seamlessly taken over that leadership role on the mound, and while his starts might lack dramatic flair, they’re exactly what the team needs. Volpe might find himself a bit underworked on certain nights, but with Fried dealing on the mound, that’s a good problem to have. The Yankees will gladly take “boring” if it means winning baseball.
