While the loss of long-time ace Gerrit Cole has no doubt harmed the New York Yankees ' hopes in 2025 and stripped them from a steadying presence at the front of the rotation, they do have another ace ready to step into that particular breach.

TAMPA, Fla. — Besides the humongous paychecks Max Fried signed up for when picking the Yankees during his winter free agency, $27.25 million for the next eight seasons for a grand total of $218 million, the now ex-Atlanta Braves staff ace was looking forward to being a No. 1A starter.

Plans for a pair of aces are on hold with Gerrit Cole out for the 2025 season before it began, pushing Max Fried to the front of the New York Yankees' rotation. Fried, 31, has known Cole since they met on a recruiting visit to UCLA and recently signed as a free agent to team up with the right-hander in pinstripes.

The Yankees are scheduled to begin the regular season against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The team had already talked to the lefty starter a week before Juan Soto made his decision to sign a 15-year contract with the Mets.

Gerrit Cole was set to reclaim his role as the New York Yankees' Opening Day starter after a one-year absence, but his injury ruins the Yanks' plans

The New York Yankees thought they were forming a formidable duo atop their rotation when they signed Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal this offseason, but that will not be the case with Gerrit Cole needing Tommy John surgery and expecting to miss the 2025 season.

Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees from spring training Try it free TAMPA — Add one more quirk to a Yankees rotation that has become quirky: Without their No.