NEW YORK — Expectations were already extraordinarily high for Max Fried when he arrived at Yankees camp this spring.

Fried had just signed the largest contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. He was coming over from the Braves with a sparkling reputation — as one of the most consistent starters in baseball this decade — and a World Series ring.

That all changed when Gerrit Cole hurt his elbow and was ruled out for the entire 2025 season, though.

Fried was no longer going to be the co-ace with Cole in his first season in pinstripes. Suddenly, the Yankees desperately needed him to step up as their true No. 1.

Save for a six-week skid midway through the season, Fried has been everything the Yankees could’ve asked for and more.

His year is still incomplete, as Fried made sure to poin

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