Will the Atlanta Braves be able to retain one of their top starters this winter?
This is going to be a question that consistently gets asked until the day that Max Fried signs a contract with a Major League Baseball club.
The two-time All-Star will be one of the top free-agent starting pitchers this winter, and speculation already has been running rampant about where he will be pitching in 2025. He has been with the Braves for the last eight seasons and now is ready to cash in. Fried is projected to get a $149 million deal over six seasons.
Some have wondered if the Braves would be willing to pony up that type of cash to retain Fried. They certainly should at least consider the move. FanSided's Zach Pressnell has high hopes and predicted that he will end up re-signing this winter.
"The Atlanta Braves are in a tough spot this offseason, with their ace recovering from Tommy John surgery and their number two pitcher, Max Fried, entering free agency," Pressnell said. "If Atlanta had one priority this offseason, it would be starting pitching.
They have a ton of young talent, but none of them have really proved themselves besides Spencer Schwellenbach. Getting Fried back in Atlanta for the next four or five seasons will be the top priority for Alex Anthopolous this offseason. My prediction is that Fried re-signs with the Atlanta Braves this offseason."
It's not hard to see why the Braves should bring Fried back. He has been an integral piece of the organization over the last eight years and is a major reason why the club earned a playoff spot despite the plethora of injuries. He should be Atlanta's top priority.
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