The Atlanta Braves didn't make as deep of a playoff run as they hoped to this season.
Atlanta struggled with injuries throughout the 2024 season and lost a handful of stars, including Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. The 2024 campaign was an unlucky one, and now the Braves need to make some decisions.
The Braves have a handful of players hitting free agency this winter, including two-time All-Star Max Fried.
He has spent his entire eight-year big league career as a member of the Braves, but that could change this offseason. Fried made his big league debut in 2017 and has been with the Braves ever since. He has been everything the team could've hoped for and has a 3.07 career ERA in 168 total appearances.
Now, Fried is expected to cash in to the tune of at least $149 million, per Spotrac. It's too early to know if the Braves will bring him back, but FanSided's Robert Murray said that Fried is "likely headed elsewhere."
The Braves, meanwhile, are also an obvious fit for (Willy Adames)," Murray said. "Their current shortstop, Orlando Arcia, has struggled mightily this season and has been below-average both offensively and defensively. Atlanta should have room to add Adames, with star pitcher Max Fried likely headed elsewhere in free agency while team executive Alex Anthopoulos told reporters that payroll should go up in 2025."
Bringing Fried back should be the Braves' top priority. He will be expensive but won't get a deal as high as Adames. Atlanta should do whatever it can to bring Fried back.
More MLB: Braves called 'obvious fit' for projected $188 million star slugger
