The Atlanta Braves have one of the best cores in baseball.
Atlanta has had a tough year due to injuries, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the team has one of the best rosters in baseball when healthy. The Braves will have this core together for a few more years and need to maximize the time.
The Braves will have a tough decision to make this winter. Max Fried will be a free agent and the Braves will have to decide whether or not they want to pay what it will cost to keep him around. If the price gets too high, there will be other options available that could fill the role well. A two-time Cy Young Award winner could even be available.
Blake Snell currently pitches for the San Francisco Giants, but CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted that he will opt out of his deal and become a free agent.
"Contract situation: $30 million player option for 2025," Axisa said. "Snell was the second of the 'Boras Four' to sign and, unlike (Cody Bellinger) and (Matt Chapman), his contract includes only one player option. The other two guys each got two player options. Snell won the Cy Young last season! And he still had to settle for a one-year, $32 million contract with what amounts to a $30 million insurance policy for 2025. Free agency isn't what it used to be...
"Prediction: As long as he stays healthy, Snell declines the player option and leaves the Giants to sign a multi-year contract with another team."
Snell certainly is going to be paid well if he becomes available. Spotrac currently is projecting his value at six years and roughly $172 million. That is expensive, but he is one of the best pitchers in baseball and that has a high cost attached to it. Fried should be the Braves' top priority, but if he decides to go elsewhere, Atlanta should call Snell.
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