Even though the New York Yankees are in the midst of the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they’re still keeping an eye on some of the other top free agents in the MLB.

While expanding the starting rotation isn’t at the top of the Yankees’ list of needs this winter, there is room in the rotation to add another high-end starter if the money is right.

It appears that the Yankees are a finalist for one of the top starters on the market, former Atlanta Braves star Max Fried, who is reportedly expected to either join the Yankees or, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale signed with the Boston Red Sox.

“Fried has decided to leave Atlanta but is expected to sign with the Yankees or Red Sox. If Soto goes to the Mets, Fried could find himself in a nice bidding war between the Red Sox and Yankees,” Nightengale wrote.

Nightengale also reported that both Fried and former Baltimore Orioles star Corbin Burnes “should cross the $200 million mark.”

Earlier this week it was reported that Fried and the Yankees had a very positive meeting and that both sides are looking forward to another meeting.

“The Yankees had a 90-minute Zoom call with Max Fried (Wednesday), and it reportedly went very well … someone who is on the Fried side said that Max really liked her and that they apparently wanted another meeting “Well,” Michael Kay reported on his show.

Fried, 31, is a two-time All-Star who has spent his entire eight-year career in Atlanta. He finished second in National League Cy Young voting in 2022 and received his second All-Star nomination in 2024.

With a career 3.07 ERA and 1.164 WHIP, Fried was still a strong asset at left guard in 2024, even if his numbers were slightly below average.

Fried was 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA with a 23.2% strikeout rate and 8.0% walk rate in 174.1 innings in 29 starts.

The Yankees have Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon at the top of the rotation. Clarke Schmidt is coming off a groundbreaking season and Luis Gil was just named American League Rookie of the Year.

They also still have Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes in the rotation, but a new addition like Fried will certainly impact their placement.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes takes precedence, but this is something the Yankees should keep an eye on.

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