While the loss of long-time ace Gerrit Cole has no doubt harmed the New York Yankees' hopes in 2025 and stripped them from a steadying presence at the front of the rotation, they do have another ace ready to step into that particular breach.

On the December afternoon Max Fried was formally fitted for pinstripes, the left-hander spoke about looking forward to pairing with Gerrit Cole at the top of the Yankees' rotation, saying that he would be “excited to sit and watch every single one of his starts.

With Gerrit Cole down for the count, the New York Yankees are going to need to get even more out of Max Fried in his first year with the team. If he pitches well, the Atlanta Braves may regret letting him walk.