ATLANTA — As Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos sat in entrance of followers throughout a Q&A session at BravesFest on Saturday, he noticed a younger child holding an indication that lobbied for Max Fried to stay in Atlanta past 2024. Anthopoulos additionally fielded a query relating to the veteran left-hander’s long-term future.
In the meantime, Fried’s session with media members launched him to related queries. Everybody needs to get a really feel for whether or not this would be the southpaw’s last season with the Braves.
“It’s out of my management proper now,” Fried stated. “However the Braves do issues a sure method and I do know that privateness and doing issues behind closed doorways is the way in which issues are performed. I respect that. I do know I like being right here and I’m actually excited to get began with this group.”
Having seen each Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson exit through free company lately, Atlanta followers understand it doesn’t actually matter what is claimed earlier than negotiations start. Gamers specific their curiosity in staying. Groups specific their curiosity in retaining gamers. And in the long run, cash often trumps need.
So, for now, it looks like a guessing sport. Fried has been part of Atlanta’s roster going again to the ultimate two months of the 2017 season. He and Ozzie Albies are the one gamers who’ve been with the Braves all through the staff’s present run of six straight NL East titles. Fried turned a 2021 World Collection hero when he gained the decisive Sport 6 after his ankle was trampled within the first inning.
Fried will ceaselessly be part of Atlanta sports activities historical past. However how for much longer will the Braves be part of his future? The lefty might be eligible free of charge company as soon as the upcoming season concludes.
“That is all I actually know,” stated Fried, who has been a part of the Braves group for the reason that Padres traded him to Atlanta as a Minor League pitcher in 2015. “This group has been nothing however supportive to me. I do know the followers and metropolis have actually embraced me. I’ve actually loved my time right here.”
Whereas it’s too early to foretell the place Fried may be pitching subsequent yr, Austin Riley is among the many Braves who’ve stated there’s no purpose to fret concerning the contract scenario being a distraction.
“His function in enjoying the sport is for the love of the sport,” Riley stated. “He’s very obsessed with it. I don’t know if anybody does any extra homework between begins than him. I believe he’ll be capable to deal with the talks behind the free company and all that stuff. He’s a level-headed man that wishes to win ballgames. I believe that alone will care for itself.”
Fried is ready for a giant payday so long as he can keep wholesome. A left forearm pressure served as the first purpose he made simply 14 begins final yr. He additionally battled a hamstring pressure and a late-season blister.
Fried, who turned 30 on Jan. 18, has posted a 2.71 ERA and a 3.02 FIP whereas making 72 begins over the previous three seasons. He completed second in NL CY Younger balloting in each 2020 and ‘22.
What would possibly he earn as a free agent?
Nola hasn’t been as efficient as Fried, however his current success did immediate the Braves to make a severe bid to signal him this offseason.
Atlanta has the monetary flexibility to bid for a frontline starter. But it surely stays to be seen the place Fried’s worth would possibly stand on the finish of this season.
Coming off an injury-plagued season, Fried has the chance to strengthen his worth and presumably earn $30 million per yr together with his subsequent contract. He might enter the free agent market with Zack Wheeler, Walker Buehler and presumably Gerrit Cole subsequent offseason. There was some current hypothesis the Phillies might lock up Wheeler earlier than the common season begins.
Regardless, Fried might be a high goal so long as he’s wholesome.
“I believe I’m the healthiest I’ve been,” stated Fried, whose forearm wasn’t a difficulty after he rejoined Atlanta’s rotation in early August final yr.
There might be curiosity in Fried’s long-term future. However the fast considerations will deal with his potential to strengthen his spot among the many sport’s high starters and assist the Braves win one other World Collection.
“I don’t suppose [possible free agency] is one thing he’s fascinated by,” Spencer Strider stated. “I believe he loves Atlanta and being on this clubhouse. For him, nothing is altering. He’s displaying up the identical method he has the previous nonetheless a few years. It’s the identical home and the identical group. I believe his objectives are the identical as the remainder of ours. That’s to exit, carry out and win, and the remaining will care for itself.”
