The Atlanta Braves face a challenging offseason as they grapple with multiple obstacles. Star players Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are still recovering from injuries, the team is coming off a relatively disappointing season by their standards, and one of their top pitchers, Max Fried, is heading into free agency. Fried is expected to be one of the most sought-after names on the market, with the Braves aiming to retain him. However, given the intense competition for his services, it will be a steep uphill battle for Atlanta.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post has linked eight teams, excluding the Braves, as potential suitors for Fried, projecting the left-hander to secure a six-year, $166 million deal. “His 139 ERA-plus is eighth best all-time,” Heyman noted, naming the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Mets, Cubs, Giants, and his hometown Dodgers as contenders. “The Red Sox need a lefty. $166 million, six years,” he added.
While Heyman didn’t include the Braves in his list, the eight teams mentioned are logical fits. Each represents either a contending club looking to bolster its rotation or a team aiming to rebound after missing the 2024 postseason. For franchises aspiring to compete with powerhouses like the Dodgers, acquiring an ace like Fried—known for his consistent sub-4.00 ERA—would be a game-changing move.
