Braves Country isn't the only fanbase left feeling frustrated after Wednesday, as the Yankees suffered their second consecutive ALDS exit. Fans of the Bronx Bombers echoed many of the same complaints Atlanta Braves fans aired out after elimination, with calls for big changes in the offseason. As the Yankees watched a division rival celebrate on their field, they now find themselves in a similar situation to Atlanta.
The interesting part of all this is the pitcher who suffered the Game 3 loss for New York: Max Fried. The former Brave signed a massive contract with the Yankees to push New York over an obstacle they've failed to climb since 2009. Ironically, the Yankees seem to be stuck in early postseason exit purgatory just like the Braves. The parallel between the two clubs begs the question: Is Fried regretting his decision?
Max Fried's regular-season ERA: 3.01
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 8, 2026
Max Fried's postseason ERA: 5.11
That differential of 2.10 runs is greater than Clayton Kershaw's (2.09).
Max Fried left the Braves for the AL version of Atlanta
There are probably 218 million reasons why Fried landed on the Yankees a couple of years ago, but it's safe to say Fried has not enjoyed the postseason success he envisioned when signing. For as much noise as we make about the Braves' flaws, the Yankees are right there with them. With an aging supporting cast to an oft-injured superstar, the Yankees have clear needs to fill this offseason.
Fried's debut season in the Bronx went well from an individual standpoint (finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting), but the team did not advance as far as he would have hoped. Meanwhile, the Braves were desperate for additional starting pitching all season long. Had Fried stayed in Atlanta, he undoubtedly would have anchored a rotation alongside Chris Sale.
Fried had the potential to become a Braves Hall of Famer one day. And perhaps most importantly, the pressure to deliver a World Series would not hang over his head because he had already accomplished that in 2021. Instead, Fried is under the brightest of lights with the New York media. Every postseason failure ushers in a litany of questions.
Of course, it is hard to fault a player who secures a life-changing contract as Fried did. Truthfully, nothing we have seen from Alex Anthopoulos leads us to believe the Braves got anywhere close to Fried's eventual deal. Finances aside, Fried hasn't enjoyed the postseason success he probably imagined he would have when he signed with such a storied franchise. But then again, what team has enjoyed recent postseason success other than the Dodgers? It's fair to say the Braves surely haven't, and for that reason Fried is probably feeling quite alright.
Add us as a preferred source on Google