The Atlanta Braves likely won't look the same in 2025.
Atlanta is in the mix for a playoff spot, but injuries have completely hurt its chances of a deep playoff run this year. The Braves will have to go back to the drawing board this winter and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter said Max Fried's free agency will be the club's most important decision they will have to make.
"The Decision: Max Fried's free agency," Reuter said. "Left-hander Max Fried has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball over the past five seasons, posting a 2.85 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 573 strikeouts in 606.1 innings since the start of the abridged 2020 campaign. Can the Braves afford to let him get away?
"The 2025 rotation as things stand will likely feature Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Strider at some point early in the season. Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach has pitched well enough to pencil him into a spot at the back of the staff, and the team has a handful of other intriguing young arms, but veteran Charlie Morton is a free agent and could opt to retire as he will turn 41 years old in November. It's going to take a contract north of $100 million to bring him back, but Fried is as important to the team's success as any player on the roster."
Atlanta could go right back to being among the top contenders in the National League to win the World Series in 2025 if it is healthy. If the Braves were to lose Fried, it certainly would hurt their chances of making a run at the title. Rumors and speculation about a possible move certainly will start to pick up as we start to get closer to the end of the 2024 season.
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