The Atlanta Braves have dealt with various injuries this season and have also lost the top spot in the National League East.
Even so, Atlanta remains one of the NL's top teams and is likely to reach the postseason in 2024. But the offseason may present a new challenge.
Left-hander Max Fried is a free agent and the two sides have not been able to work out an extension. As of now, it appears that Fried will test free agency, meaning it's possible that he'll be in a different uniform next year.
However, there will be other options available. Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report listed the Braves as a potential destination for Baltimore Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes.
"Burnes joining forces with Chris Sale is a fun idea and, just saying, Atlanta will have Max Fried and Charlie Morton and their $35 million in combined salaries coming off its books," Rymer wrote.
Even with Fried and Morton hitting free agency, the Braves do still have plenty of options in their rotation. Sale has a chance to win a Cy Young for them this year.
And if Fried leaves, the Braves could still supplement that rotation with Burnes. While they don't always spend big, Burnes would be a solid pickup for a team that has been a perennial World Series contender for the past several years.
The Braves would still have two top starters in their rotation, and it would get even stronger when Spencer Strider eventually returns from Tommy John surgery.
It will be interesting to see if Atlanta decides to take a look at adding the former NL Cy Young Award winner.
More MLB: Orioles could target Braves ace to bolster rotation for 2025
