DALLAS — After the disappointment of losing Juan Soto, the New York Yankees acted quickly to strengthen their team. They have reportedly finalized an agreement with left-handed pitcher Max Fried for an eight-year contract worth $218 million, as shared by a source familiar with the arrangement to YSL News Sports.

The source requested anonymity since the agreement is contingent upon Fried successfully passing a physical examination.

This contract marks the highest amount ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher and ranks fourth among all pitchers in MLB history.

After Soto opted for a 16-year, $760 million deal with the Mets—an offer that was just $5 million more and one year shorter than theirs—the Yankees managed to keep their spirits high.

They recognized they had many areas to address, and signing Soto would have limited their ability to make additional moves to strengthen the roster.

Now, with Fried added to the roster, the Yankees have a top-tier left-handed pitcher alongside their ace, Gerrit Cole. They still have ample budget to address their needs for a third baseman, center fielder, first baseman, and additional relievers.

The Yankees are reportedly considering trades for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger, while also looking at free agent first baseman Christian Walker and reliever Tanner Scott.

And thanks to their decision not to pursue Soto, they still have a significant amount of available funds.

“Look, it’s not going to stop us from hopefully putting together another great team,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on Tuesday. “There are many paths to achieve that. We still have to evaluate how things will unfold, who becomes available, and if there are potential trade opportunities. That’s the exciting part of the off-season as we aim to make smart choices moving forward.”

The disappointment of missing out on Soto is somewhat mitigated by the signing of Fried, 30, a two-time All-Star with a 2.81 ERA over the last five seasons with the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees prevailed against both the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in securing Fried’s services.

“Our goal remains to construct a winning team that can compete for a championship next year,” Boone affirmed. “We’re committed to that.”

This major signing is a significant initial step toward their quest for their first World Series title since 2009.