Fried was expected to be a terrific piece alongside Cole and Gil, but now he's going to be at the top of the rotation for New York.

The Yankees’ $218 million free agent signing indeed will be regarded as the new staff ace, but it’s unlikely two-time All-Star Max Fried will debut in pinstripes on Opening Day.

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.

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.