Max Fried contract details reveal hints about Yankees' 2025 plans

For anybody out there whining about the New York Yankees offering "too many" years to Max Fried when the two sides agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, just know they had to do that in order to beat the Boston Red Sox, who offered seven. This is how the business works.

Call it an overpay. Call it a risk. But the Yankees' window to win a World Series remains in the three-year range, and Fried immediately improved their outlook. Even better? Fried's contract details further assist the Yankees' financial flexibility over that span.

On the surface, Fried earned the largest guaranteed contract for a left-handed pitcher when he surpassed the $217 million given to David Price (by the Boston Red Sox). He will earn $27.25 million on an average annual value basis.

If we look deeper, though, there's a structure that enables more spending this offseason and next. According to Joel Sherman, here are the other specific details of the agreement:

• Fried receives a $20 million signing bonus in two installments: $10 million this year, $10 million next year
• Fried will make $12 million in 2025 and 2026
• Fried will make $29 million from 2027-2032

Max Fried contract details allow Yankees to spend even bigger in short term

It's unclear what the official luxury tax number is (in terms of what will count against the CBT), but it's evident the Yankees lowered it for the next two seasons as they wait to absorb some other onerous salaries. Remember, they're still paying Aaron Hicks. DJ LeMahieu has two seasons left. Carlos Rodón's deal is bloated. So is Marcus Stroman's. And for as good as Giancarlo Stanton is in the postseason ... that's pretty much all the Yankees are paying for because of his infrequent/inadequate regular season output.

The latest rumors have suggested the Yankees are interested in free agent third baseman Alex Bregman in addition to trade scenarios involving Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker. All three of those guys are expected to have a hefty salary for 2025 or will command a big contract, so the front office clearly isn't done with the top shelf in free agency.

Fans can conceivably expect more moves than that, and can feel comfortable knowing there won't be an overload of bargin bin moves. The Yankees need to make marquee additions, and they're hinting that'll be their path forward with Fried's signing and contract details.