No matter what happens over the next few days, it is going to be a difficult winter for the Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta will have to decide whether or not it wants to offer two-time All-Star Max Fried a large contract as he is set to enter free agency. He has been a star for the Braves since debuting in 2017, and now he is going to cash in. Will that be with the Braves? That is unclear.
Hopefully, the Braves will find a way to bring him back, but other teams will make a run at him. The New York Post's Jon Heyman surprisingly even mentioned the Baltimore Orioles as an option.
"Somebody mentioned the Orioles," Heyman said. "They're going to need a No. 1 pitcher. (Corbin Burnes) is probably not that likely for the Orioles to come up with the money for that. Fried's not going to be that much, but if you look at his record, he has a better ERA."
Baltimore is a surprising option for Fried because of the fact that he also will be expensive like Burnes. Burnes certainly will get more, but Fried will be one of the most sought-after pitchers this winter, and there definitely will be a bidding war for him.
If Baltimore does get involved, that could make things more complicated for the Braves. Hopefully, that doesn't end up happening and maybe Baltimore re-signs Burnes and Atlanta re-signs Fried without issue.
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