DALLAS — The Yankees’ first strike in the post-Juan Soto era arrived Tuesday.
If they cannot outslug opponents, maybe they will outduel them.
A rotation that already included ace Gerrit Cole added a second potential No. 1 in Max Fried, who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, The Post confirmed.

The pact is pending a physical.
Fried’s first eight seasons came with the Braves, with whom he twice finished in the top five in NL Cy Young voting.
Last season the lefty pitched to a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts.

With Cole, Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman, the Yankees have seven OK-to-excellent starting pitcher options, which gives them a strength perhaps to deal from.
– Additional reporting by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman