The Yankees believe new pitcher Max Fried has "room to evolve" after signing an eight-year, $218 million deal. Added pitching coach Matt Blake: "We like that."

The New York Yankees weren't Max Fried's top choice in free agency initially. But, as Fried said Wednesday during his introductory press conference in the Bronx, when he heard that New York was interested,

Max Fried had not expected to wind up in pinstripes. The left-hander, who agreed to a $218 million, eight-year contract, says that "When the Yankees say they’re interested in you, you perk up and you listen.