Imagine, if you will, a future where the Los Angeles Dodgers don't need to constantly fret about starting pitching.
After cycling through dozens of starting pitchers in 2024, one of the Dodgers' primary goals in 2025 will be rebuilding their rotation with reliable stars. And knowing the way L.A. has done business in recent years, it's also likely money will be no object.
With future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw's future beyond this season uncertain, it's likely the Dodgers will be in the market for at least one more lefty. The best possible outcome may be to pilfer one from one of their top challengers in the National League.
On Wednesday, Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report predicted that the Dodgers would land Atlanta Braves All-Star Max Fried in free agency, ending Fried's eight-year run in the NL East.
"Considering the Dodgers have a seemingly endless pile of cash from which to pay any free agent the organization sets its sights on, the financials would not seem to be an issue," Beaston said.
"If the Dodgers are willing to pay and Fried can convince them that the injuries that plagued his 2024 season are anomalous rather than a trend, it is a match made in baseball heaven."
Fried, 30, has been perhaps the most consistent lefty starter of the last five seasons. He has a 53-25 record, 2.85 ERA, and 149 ERA+ since the beginning of 2020. He eats innings, rarely gives up home runs (49 in five years), and boasts a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio.
If all that isn't enough reason to bring Fried to Los Angeles, there's also the fact that he grew up there, attending Harvard-Westlake High School, where he wore the number 32 in honor of Sandy Koufax. He's had Dodger written all over him from the day he stepped on a mound.
I's will have to be dotted and T's crossed, but it's easy to envision the Dodgers making a strong play for Fried this winter. Only time will tell if both sides have the motivation to get a deal done.
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