Part 3/7:
In the midst of this frenzy, the Yankees turned to the idea of acquiring Max Fried, the standout left-handed pitcher on the market. The exchange would go something like this: “Hey, what’s the best deal you have on the table?” After some banter, bargaining emerged. Initial offers transitioned rapidly from six years to nine, a reflection of the pressure and desperation in play. Eventually, the Yankees found themselves too far into negotiations, granting Fried a whopping 8-year, $218 million contract—a contract that was met with disbelief across the league.