Yankees Max Fried takes first step toward living up to $218 million hype

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees from spring training TAMPA — The last time a high-priced lefty free agent starter pitched his first game during spring training, Carlos Rodón was roughed up by the Braves and ended up missing much of the first half with a forearm strain.On Monday, Max Fried showed what the Yankees hoped to see when they gave the 31-year-old the biggest free agent contract to a left-handed starter in history this past offseason.He threw just four curveballs over 2 ¹/₃ innings in his 49-pitch outing during his Yankees debut in a 12-3 Grapefruit League win over Pittsburgh at Steinbrenner Field, but was sharp as he worked on other aspects of his seven-pitch arsenal.“It was nice to put the spikes on and get in some real game atmosphere,” Fried said.“New place, new environment, new team, new guys behind me.

It’s definitely a little kick of adrenaline.”That resulted in him hitting an uncharacteristic 97 mph when he normally sits at around 93.As perhaps the most significant part of the franchise’s offseason pivot following the loss of Juan Soto to the Mets, Fried will be under the spotlight throughout the duration of his eight-year, $218 million deal.As much as the Yankees are counting on new additions like Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to solidify the Soto-less lineup, Fried will be relied upon to strengthen a rotation that performed well last year, but took a hit with the loss of Luis Gil at least until June due to a lat strain.Even before Gil, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, went down, Fried figured to be part of a 1-2 combination at the top of the rotation with Gerrit Cole.So especially this year, all eyes will be on Fried to see how he makes the adjustment to pitching in New York after spending the first eight years of his major league career with Atlanta.He’s coming off another stellar season with th...