After missing out on Juan Soto, the New York Yankees immediately pivoted to building a stellar pitching staff.
The first move made by the front office included the addition of free-agent lefty starter Max Fried, signing the two-time All-Star to a historic $218 million deal.
Arriving in Tampa for his first spring training with the Yankees, Fried is already benefitting from the presence of several legendary southpaws who donned the pinstripes before him.
Among the biggest names Fried has been working with includes Ron Guidry, a borderline Hall-of-Famer whose electric stuff earned him the nickname “Louisiana Lightning.”
“I’m looking forward to all types of conversations,” Fried said via The Athletic. “Whether it’s about pitching in New York or pitching in general. Every amount of knowledge that’s useful and he’s willing to give me, I’m open to hearing.”
Though Fried claims he grew up a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 31-year-old southpaw has vast knowledge of the history that “Gator” brought to The Bronx.
“Legendary Yankee,” Fried said. “Cy Young Award winner. Obviously had the season where he went, like, 25-3. (Guidry) threw a lot of really meaningful games and did it with two pitches. When you’re as successful as he was with two pitches, you learn how to navigate and pitch, and it’s not a coincidence that he had the career that he did.”
Guidry isn’t the only legendary lefty willing to give advice to the newest member of the starting rotation. Five-time World Series champion Andy Pettite and recent Hall-of-Fame inductee C.C. Sabathia were on hand to help Fried.
Gerrit Cole, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Max Fried and Ron Guidry all hanging out pic.twitter.com/bESJTcsmyA
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) February 17, 2025
Fried brings a strong track record with a career 3.07 ERA and the ability to induce soft contact. If his tenure turns out anything like that trio of legendary lefties, the Yankees would be ecstatic.
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