Coming off a runner-up finish in the World Series, the New York Yankees aren’t getting off to a hot start in hopes of repeating an appearance in the Fall Classic.
The reigning American League champions will already be without ace Gerrit Cole for the entire season after he underwent Tommy John surgery last week. Then, reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil was put on the shelf for at least three months due to a shoulder injury in his throwing arm, and $32 million slugger Giancarlo Stanton has no timetable for return from bilateral elbow injuries.
Things aren’t exactly going well for the Bronx Bombers, who will need a handful of players to step up in a major way if this organization is going to achieve its goals for 2025. That’s why ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes much of the team’s season will hinge on the production of left-handed starter Max Fried.
With a blown-out elbow sidelining Gerrit Cole for the season, the impetus on Fried to fill his Opening Day-starter role — and the responsibility that comes with it — is immense. New York extended beyond the expected payday for Fried with an eight-year, $218 million free agent contract, and between Cole’s Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil’s strained lat that will keep him on the shelf for at least two months, the Yankees’ starting pitching depth collapsed within a month of showing up to camp. Fried’s steadiness enthralled the Yankees, and if they have any hopes of a World Series return, it will be on the back of his 30-plus starts.
With Fried now leading the starting rotation, along with fellow southpaw Carlos Rodon, the Yankees need that pair to get things going in the right direction once the season begins March 27. There’s already enough pressure on Aaron Judge to provide MVP production at the top of the lineup, and there’s questionable depth behind him.
Fried, 31, has made at least 28 starts in four of his last six seasons while capturing two All-Star nods during that span. He was supposed to be the No. 2 behind Cole going into the season, but those plans were immediately dashed during spring training.
The Yankees need a handful of players to step up into bigger roles with the season set to begin in just over a week, and Fried is near the top of that list.
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