The New York Yankees are poised for a championship run in 2025, but with Gerrit Cole sidelined by a significant injury, the acquisition of Max Fried has taken on even greater importance—he’s no longer the No. 2 starter, but the ace who could be the final piece to deliver their 28th World Series title. After years of postseason near-misses, the Yankees have a roster loaded with talent, yet their rotation’s reliability has been a glaring weakness. With Fried now leading the staff, the Bronx Bombers might finally have the edge to end their championship drought. Let’s explore how Fried’s new role as the No. 1 starter could transform the Yankees and propel them to glory.
The Acquisition: A Lifeline After Cole’s Injury
The Yankees entered the 2024 offseason knowing they needed to strengthen their starting rotation, but the stakes skyrocketed when Gerrit Cole suffered a torn UCL in spring training 2025, sidelining him for at least the first half of the season—and potentially longer if surgery is required. Without their ace, the rotation looked shaky: Nestor Cortes has battled durability issues, Carlos Rodón has struggled with consistency, and Luis Gil, while talented, lacks the experience to lead a staff. Enter Max Fried, a free agent after a stellar tenure with the Atlanta Braves, where he posted a 2.81 ERA over seven seasons and won a World Series in 2021.
In December 2024, GM Brian Cashman signed Fried to a six-year, $148 million deal, outbidding the Dodgers and Red Sox to bring the left-hander to the Bronx. At the time, Fried was seen as a perfect No. 2 behind Cole, but with Cole out, he’s now the undisputed ace. The signing carries risk—Fried, 31, has a history of arm injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2014, and the pressure of being New York’s top starter in a title-or-bust season could be daunting. But Cashman is betting on Fried’s postseason pedigree, elite command, and mental toughness to carry the rotation. If Fried can shoulder the load, he could be the difference-maker the Yankees desperately need.
Fried’s Role as the Ace
With Cole on the shelf, Fried steps into the No. 1 spot, tasked with anchoring a rotation that must hold up against the AL’s best. In his final season with the Braves, Fried went 11-5 with a 2.66 ERA over 165 innings, striking out 166 while walking just 41. His ability to generate ground balls—his career ground-ball rate sits at 53%—should mesh well with the Yankees’ infield defense, led by Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Fried’s arsenal, featuring a wicked curveball and a 93-94 mph fastball with late life, could help him dominate in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium by keeping the ball in the park.
As the ace, Fried’s consistency will be crucial. The Yankees can’t afford the rollercoaster performances they’ve seen from Rodón, who posted a 4.31 ERA in 2024, or the injury setbacks that limited Cortes to 21 starts last year. Fried’s ability to pitch deep into games—averaging 6.1 innings per start in 2024—could preserve a bullpen that will likely be tested early in the season without Cole. His presence might also stabilize the staff, giving younger pitchers like Gil a chance to develop without the pressure of being the go-to guy. If Fried can deliver 15-18 wins and a sub-3.00 ERA, he’ll keep the Yankees in contention until Cole returns—or carry them all the way if Cole’s recovery stalls.
The Postseason X-Factor
The Yankees’ lineup is a powerhouse—Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton are projected to combine for over 100 homers in 2025. The bullpen, with Nestor Cortes potentially shifting to a high-leverage role, looks promising. But the postseason is where aces shine, and the Yankees have faltered in recent years without a true No. 1 to lean on in October. Fried could change that.
Fried’s playoff resume is impeccable: a 2.48 ERA over 40 innings with the Braves, including a 1.59 ERA in the 2021 World Series. His ability to dominate in high-stakes games—think six scoreless innings against the Astros in Game 6 of that 2021 series—makes him the ideal pitcher to lead the Yankees through the AL gauntlet of teams like the Astros, Orioles, or Guardians, and into a World Series matchup against a juggernaut like the Dodgers or Phillies. As the No. 1 starter, Fried would likely pitch Game 1 of every series, setting the tone for the rotation. A gem in the ALCS opener, followed by a World Series masterpiece, could propel the Yankees to the title.
Fried’s composure under pressure could also steady a clubhouse that’s often crumbled in big moments. His experience as a champion might give the Yankees the belief they need to get over the hump, especially in a city where anything less than a championship is a failure.
The Missing Piece: Why Fried Could Be the Difference
The Yankees have the bats, the defense, and the bullpen—but they’ve lacked a true ace to lead the rotation in the playoffs, especially with Cole sidelined. Fried fills that void. His ability to eat innings, limit damage, and perform in the clutch could be the difference between another early exit and a deep October run. As the No. 1 starter, he’s not just a stopgap; he’s a pitcher who could carry the staff for the entire season, giving the Yankees a chance to build a dynasty around their current core.
The intangibles are just as critical. Fried’s quiet leadership—he was a mentor to young pitchers in Atlanta—could bring cohesion to a team that’s sometimes lacked it. His presence might push Rodón to find his form, inspire Gil to take the next step, and allow manager Aaron Boone to manage with more confidence. In a postseason where every game is a chess match, Fried’s experience could be the checkmate move.
