MAX FRIED IS A FANTASTIC YANKEE STORY!

Let’s make one thing crystal clear: signing Max Fried was the right move. For once, the Yankees front office did something smart. But then, as soon as Gerrit Cole went down, they reverted to form—staring at the wall, crossing their fingers, and doing absolutely nothing.

Seriously, what was the plan? Wait around for Carlos Rodón to suddenly turn into Sandy Koufax? All they had to do was ask a passionate Yankee fan—any Yankee fan—and we could’ve told them: sign another frontline starter. Get a second Max Fried. The need was obvious. But instead, Brian Cashman and company sat on their hands, hoping Rodón would transform into the ace he’s clearly not. That’s organizational malpractice, plain and simple.

Meanwhile, Fried is doing everything and more. The lefty has been sensational. He hasn't just stepped up; he’s taken over. The Yankees haven’t had a lefty this effective, this poised, this dominant in years. And they've needed him desperately, because the rest of the rotation has been a house of cards in a windstorm.

Fried’s 1.88 ERA speaks for itself, but it’s not just the numbers—it’s how he pitches. He’s precise, composed, and surgical. He knows exactly when to press the gas and when to glide. Watching him pitch is watching a master technician at work. Cole saw it immediately back in spring training:

“An excellent addition, a really unique talent,’’ Cole said in February. “There’s a lot of things he can do with the baseball and he’s a highly regarded teammate as well. It’s been a pleasure to see him go about his work. His focus and concentration every time he throws the ball is elite.”

Fried’s fastball ranges from 93 to 97 mph. His command is impeccable. As he himself put it:

“It’s rhythm and timing, and if you can try to disrupt that and throw a couple different speeds on a fastball, hopefully you can get some weak contact and get some extra outs.”

It’s not just a great quote—it’s working. On Tuesday, Fried made Yankees history. According to Katie Sharp of Stathead, Fried became the first Yankees pitcher in 70 years to post a sub-2.00 ERA, win three games, and strike out 25+ batters in his first four games with the team. The last to do it? Bob Turley in 1955.

Yes, 1955. That’s how rare and dominant Fried has been.

So, you tell me: why would the front office think it’s okay to give this man zero backup?

This could’ve been a one-two punch of Cole and Fried—an elite righty and a dominant lefty, tearing through the American League. Instead, Fried is forced to carry this broken rotation on his back while Rodón flails.

Fried has the tools: a 98-mph fastball, a nasty sinker, changeup, two sliders, a cutter, and a big curve. He’s coachable, focused, and completely locked in. He’s the best pitcher story the Yankees have had in years.

So here’s the question for the front office: why leave him alone on an island?

Max Fried is doing his job. Better than anyone could have expected. The Yankees front office, once again, are not. They got the first step right—then took ten steps back. And unless they wake up and give Fried the support he’s earned, this season will be another wasted opportunity in a long line of them.

Fried deserves better. Yankee fans deserve better. But for now, we're just lucky we have him.