ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that two-time All-Star pitcher Max Fried is signing an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees.

According to the report, it is the largest guaranteed contract for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Fried joins the Yankees two days after they reportedly lost a bidding war to the New York Mets for slugger Juan Soto, this winter’s highest free-agent prize.

The loss to Soto forced the Yankees to move to a Plan B in free agency, and the addition of Fried is the first major step in that plan. Fried joins a team that already includes 2023 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. The Yankees now effectively have two aces at the top of their rotation.

Fried rejected a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Braves in mid-November and elected to enter free agency. His signing with the Yankees means the Braves will receive draft pick compensation. Fried signed a one-year, $15 million contract with Atlanta through the 2024 season.

Fried, 30, has spent his entire major league career with the Braves, making his debut in August 2017. He has amassed 71 wins since becoming a consistent starter in 2019. He is coming off his second All-Star season in which he threw 174 1/3 innings with a 3.25 ERA and 166 strikeouts. Fried ranked No. 7 on Yahoo Sports’ list of the top 50 free agents this winter.

Fried was on the injured list for some time this season due to nerve inflammation, but returned to the mound in August. He pitched a complete game this year and nearly pitched a combined no-hitter against the New York Mets in May before it was nullified by a home run by JD Martinez in the ninth inning.

Fried was named to the All-Star squad in 2022 and was a key part of the Braves’ World Series-winning team in 2021. He received the Silver Slugger Award this year and also owns three Gold Gloves (2020-2022).