QuikReader

QuikReader

  • Latest
  • Top stories
  • Business
  • Tech
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Sources
Sign in
  1. Sports
  2. Sources
  3. Yahoo Sports
  4. Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Max Fried’s decision to join Yankees over Red Sox, others came down to ‘gut feeling’

TAMPA, Fla. — Fresh off his first start against the Red Sox since joining the Yankees, Max Fried didn’t make much of his introduction to a storied rivalry.

After all, the lefty’s initial taste came in an exhibition game, as Fried twirled 4 1/3 scoreless innings against Boston at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday.

“It’s early,” Fried said after a 4-4 tie in which he totaled two hits, zero walks, three strikeouts and 68 pitches.

While there was no winner in the spring training contest, the Yankees beat out the Red Sox and others for Fried’s services over the offseason. The pitcher inked an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Bombers two days after Juan Soto bolted for the Mets. Fried’s deal is the richest guarantee a southpaw has ever gotten.

Boston meanwhile, reportedly offered Fried $190 million over seven years. So did the Rangers.

“You hear the little whispers,” said Aaron Boone, who didn’t brag about landing Fried during the winter meetings to his close friend, Red Sox skipper Alex Cora. “There’s people in the lobby, or in and around dinner, I’m hearing this.”

Asked about the Red Sox, Fried said he “definitely considered them” after meeting with coaches and front office personnel via Zoom. Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, a high school teammate at Harvard-Westlake in the Los Angeles area, helped Boston recruit Fried as well.

“He definitely had a hand in it,” Fried said.

Ultimately, the Yankees made the highest offer, but Fried didn’t consider the context of two sworn enemies bidding against one another. He just wanted to make the best decision for himself.

That, along with an extra $28 million and an additional year, put the Yanks over the top.

“Everyone that I talked to was really great,” Fried said. “At the end of the day, I don’t know if I could really put my finger on it. It was just more of a gut feeling. I felt like this is the right place for me.”

So far that’s appeared to be the case.

Fried, scheduled to pitch the second game of the regular season, has been described as a “sponge” by Boone ever since the Yankees had their own enlightening Zoom over the offseason. It’s been easy to see why, as Fried has been frequently spotted picking the brains of teammates, coaches and guest instructors like Ron Guidry, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte this spring.

The Yankees will also need Fried to be an ace, as he’s their de facto No. 1 with Gerrit Cole sidelined by Tommy John surgery. He’s looked the part, recording a 2.53 ERA this spring, though it’s always best to not make much of stats this time of year.

“This is just more about me getting ready and trying to do what I need to do to get ready for the year,” Fried said. “The results were good, but that wasn’t what I was out for.”

Read more at Yahoo Sports
  Save story

Topics

  • Red Sox
  • Sox
  • Yankees
  • Season
  • Yankees Red Sox

Related

  • Red Sox's Giolito (hammy) to start season on IL

    The Boston Red Sox will open the season with three starting pitchers on the injured list after right-hander Lucas Giolito strained his left hamstring.
    ESPN - 5d
  • Max Fried ready to step up for Yankees after losing Gerrit Cole: 'I can't try to fill anyone else's shoes'

    Max Fried ready to step up for Yankees after losing Gerrit Cole: 'I can't try to fill anyone else's shoes'

    With Cole out for the year with Tommy John surgery, all eyes are on the newly signed Fried
    CBS Sports - Mar. 11

  • Mets' Edwin Diaz has 'better' spring outing against Red Sox: 'From the first pitch, there was conviction'

    Mets closer Edwin Diaz had his best outing this spring, throwing just 18 pitches to get three outs on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.
    Yahoo Sports - 5d

  • ‘PEANUTS’ night announced for Red Sox matchup against the Mariners

    Let’s go, Red Sox, Charlie Brown!
    Yahoo Sports - 2d
  • Detroit Red Wings cut down tired Vegas Golden Knights behind young scorers

    Detroit Red Wings cut down tired Vegas Golden Knights behind young scorers

    Detroit Red Wings score: Petr Mrázek picked up a shutout in his third straight start since joining the Red Wings in a 3-0 win over the Golden Knights.
    Yahoo Sports - 2d

  • AL East preview: Can Red Sox overtake a weakened Yankees team? | Baseball Bar-B-Cast

    The division preview pods roll on as Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman preview the AL East. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman breakdown the 2025 season outlook for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue ...
    Yahoo Sports - 1d

  • Rafael Devers says he's 'here to help,' willing to play DH for Red Sox after insisting he plays third base

    Devers is nowhere near as good defensively at third base as Red Sox addition Alex Bregman.
    Yahoo Sports - 4d

  • Recently acquired Mrazek earns first shutout of season as Red Wings blank Knights 3-0

    Petr Mrazek made 18 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Detroit Red Wings blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 on Sunday. Mrazek was making his third start since he was acquired from ...
    Yahoo Sports - 2d

  • AL East season preview: What's ahead for the Yankees? Can the Red Sox win the division? Will the Orioles break through?

    We continue our division-by-division previews with a look at the 5 teams in the American League East.
    Yahoo Sports - 1d

More from Yahoo Sports

  • Clippers rally past Cavaliers 132-119, handing East leaders a second straight loss

    Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and the Los Angeles Clippers handed the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers their second straight loss, 132-119 on Tuesday night. Ivica Zubac had 28 points and 20 ...
    Yahoo Sports - 19m

  • 4 takeaways as the Chicago Blackhawks lose their second straight 6-2 game

    It started so well for the Chicago Blackhawks. Connor Bedard scored the opening goal on the power play, and Tyler Bertuzzi padded the Hawks’ first-period lead with his first goal since Jan. 20 ...
    Yahoo Sports - 29m

  • Michigan Sportswatch Daily Listings

    Yahoo Sports - 31m

  • Michigan Sportswatch Daily Listings

    Yahoo Sports - 31m

  • Pennsylvania Sportswatch Daily Listings

    Yahoo Sports - 31m

More in Sports

  • Cavallo reveals daily death threats for being gay

    Josh Cavallo, men's football's first openly gay active player, said he struggles encourage other players to come out due to the sport's "toxic" environment.
    ESPN - 13m

  • Madrid frustrate Arsenal to get UWCL 1st-leg win

    Real Madrid frustrated Arsenal to secure a 2-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in Madrid.
    ESPN - 13m

  • Robinson among USMNT trio ruled out for CNL

    The U.S. men's national team will be without Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson and Celtic center back Auston Trusty for the Concacaf Nations League finals.
    ESPN - 13m

  • U.S. Open Cup prize money doubles to record $1M

    U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday it will be doubling the prize money for the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, reaching a record-breaking $1 million in an effort to continue building interest in the tournament.
    ESPN - 13m

  • Sources: Wave agree fee for Colombia CB Arias

    The San Diego Wave have agreed a deal to sign Colombian defender Daniela Arias from Brazil's Corinthians, multiple sources told ESPN.
    ESPN - 13m
© 2025 QuikReader - About - Terms - Privacy