It was predictable that the Yankees would pivot quickly after losing Soto, and sources said Fried was their top target. They extended their offer for an eighth year, while no other team was believed to be more than seven years old.

“Long deal for a pitcher,” said one National League executive. “Long deal for any player, but definitely a long deal for a pitcher. For him, it’s his health that matters.”

Fried’s deal is the largest in history for a left-handed starter, surpassing David Price’s seven-year, $218 million contract with the Red Sox nearly a decade ago. It is also the fourth-largest guaranteed deal ever for a pitcher, behind only Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($325 million), Gerrit Cole ($324 million) and Stephen Strasburg ($245 million).

“It seems to make them commit to something else,” one AL executive said of the Yankees.

The Yankees currently have seven starting pitchers: Cole, Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman.

According to sources, one scenario would be that the Yankees would move one of their young starters – most likely Schmidt – as part of a trade package to sign either Nolan Arenado or Cody Bellinger. Schmidt is eligible for arbitration for three more years, while Gil — the AL rookie of the year — has four more years of control of the club and won’t be eligible for arbitration until next offseason.

Less than two hours after Fried left for the Yankees, another big arm came off the board when Nathan Eovaldi agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal to return to the Rangers. Eovaldi was considered Plan B for the Red Sox after Boston missed Fried, but now the Sox will have to pivot again to find another arm for their rotation.

What do the Fried and Eovaldi signings mean for the rest of the pitching market?

Fried and Blake Snell (five years, $182 million) both signed nine-figure contracts this winter, but four-time All-Star and 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes appears poised to exceed both contracts, as two executives predict that the right-hander could receive more than $240 million within eight years.

According to sources, the Blue Jays and Giants are the two teams expected to be most aggressive toward Burnes, with Toronto considered the favorite. The Blue Jays were willing to spend $700 million on Juan Soto, and Toronto was among the teams that played Fried before he was traded to the Yankees. If Toronto — struggling with the loss of Chris Bassitt after next season and the loss of Kevin Gausman after the 2026 season — wants to spend big on an ace, Burnes could be their best and last hope.

The Giants have already made a big splash this offseason by signing shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million deal. San Francisco is said to be in the market for a front-line starter, but two industry sources were skeptical that the Giants would outbid the Blue Jays if Toronto is determined to sign Burnes.

The Red Sox, who were among the runners-up in the Soto sweepstakes, had a serious shot at Fried this week, but sources said they appear hesitant to spend the money necessary to sign Burnes. With Eovaldi off the market, the Red Sox could now seek a reunion with Pivetta, who declined a qualifying offer from Boston last month. The draft pick compensation associated with the right-hander could hamper his market, two NL executives said, making a return to Boston the most logical move for both sides. Boston also has interest in Buehler and could explore the trade market, where White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet represents an attractive option, although multiple teams are in that race.

In addition to Crochet, sources say Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, Sonny Gray and Jesús Luzardo are also potentially tradeable starters.

Manaea, who declined the Mets’ qualifying offer. After spending $765 million to sign Soto, the Mets – who after signing Frankie Montas (2 years/$34 million) and Clay Holmes (3 years/$38 million) – could still Need to add another starter – bring Manaea back on a multi-year deal.

Other starters set to sign this winter include Luis Severino (2 years/$67 million and a 2027 player option from the Athletics), Yusei Kikuchi (3 years/$63 million from the Angels) and Matthew Boyd ( 2 years/$29 million with the Cubs). , Shane Bieber (1 year/$14 million with player option from the Guardians) and Alex Cobb (1 year/$15 million from the Tigers).

In addition to Flaherty, Manaea and Pivetta, other free agent starters include Andrew Heaney, Jose Quintana, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.