At their annual Braves Fest over the weekend, a popular topic came up that will likely be discussed throughout the season, Max Fried‘s pending free agency. Here’s what the Braves ace had to say:
"I know that I love being here and I'm really excited to get started with this group."
Max Fried addresses his future as he enters a contract year 🔊 pic.twitter.com/JkvkBIakIQ
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) January 28, 2024
I think the way Fried talks about his situation is important for all fans to understand. His agent serves as a buffer. Fried and his representatives have assuredly talked about his value, what’s fair, and what he can get on the open market after another successful season. Unless the Braves come back to the table with a deal in his acceptable range, I don’t imagine Fried will be thinking about his next contract very often. That’s his agent’s job, and allowing him to do his job is what’s in the best interest of Fried, who is focused on helping the Braves win another World Series in 2024.
The leader of Atlanta’s pitching staff is heading down what feels like an all too familiar path. Like Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson before him, Fried is set to hit free agency at the end of the upcoming season, and when that happens, it never seems to work out in the Braves’ favor.
I would go as far as to say if Fried reaches unrestricted free agency, there’s virtually no chance he’s in Atlanta past this season. Alex Anthopoulos is all about value, and the way he approaches these contract negotiations has never changed. Not to mention, they generally end up working out well for the Braves. Changing now would be foolish. The Braves don’t pay sticker price for anything, and I highly doubt they are going to make an exception for Max Fried.
With that being said, the Braves were seriously pushing to sign Aaron Nola this offseason, reportedly offering him a six-year contract north of $160 million. That forced the Phillies hand, who upped their offer to seven years. If the Braves were willing to do that for Nola, perhaps they would be open to handing Fried a similar offer between now and the end of the season. It still may not be enough to get a deal done, but at the very least, Fried would have something to think about if he desires to remain in Atlanta for the rest of his career.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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