FORT MYERS, Fla. — Max Fried is aware of that his impending free company will stay a storyline all through what may very well be his closing season with the Braves. However as he exits Spring Coaching, he’s simply wanting ahead to remaining wholesome and re-establishing himself as a official Cy Younger Award candidate.
“I believe any time that you simply miss time through the season and it’s important to watch your teammates from residence, it’s a troublesome, powerful capsule to swallow,” Fried mentioned. “So, I made it a giant a part of my routine and my routine to be in one of the best form I can probably be to resist all of that. I wish to make each begin and be on the market with my teammates.”
A hamstring pressure on Opening Day value him just a few weeks and left forearm irritation value him just a few months. However apart from a blister that developed in late September, he remained wholesome throughout final yr’s closing two months, and he pitched a full Spring Coaching this yr with none points.
Fried accomplished his Grapefruit League season with a scheduled three-inning outing in a 5-5 tie in opposition to the Crimson Sox on Sunday afternoon at JetBlue Park. The veteran left-hander allowed 5 hits and issued three walks, however restricted his injury to 2 runs with the assistance of two double play groundouts.
“It was truly form of good,” Fried mentioned. “It felt like there have been some issues I used to be out of sync with. Getting in some bases-loaded jams and having to make some pitches was good for me to have the ability to try this. It was a pleasant little tune-up.”
Fried’s subsequent begin will come on Saturday in Philadelphia. He stands with A.J. Minter and Ozzie Albies as the one present Braves who’ve performed throughout every of the previous seven seasons for Atlanta. Every of those three gamers debuted in 2017, the yr earlier than the membership received the primary of its six straight Nationwide League East crowns.
Fried was a significant factor of the group’s large rebuild, and he has confirmed to be a key asset by means of one of the crucial profitable stretches in franchise historical past. He’ll all the time be celebrated for the six scoreless innings he delivered after his proper ankle was crushed within the first inning of Recreation 6 of the 2021 World Collection.
However because the current free-agent exits of Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson have proven, even the preferred and profitable gamers often should say goodbye. Fried can be eligible free of charge company on the finish of this season. However he says this received’t be a distraction.
“That’s one thing that’s to this point sooner or later,” Fried mentioned. “I’ve acquired hopefully 33-plus begins with the playoffs and stuff like that. You’ve acquired to have a really clichéd, one begin or in the future at time mentality. No matter occurs each time that point comes, I’ll cope with it.”
If Fried makes 30-plus begins this yr, he’ll be a high free agent.
Fried, who turned 30 in January, has posted a 2.71 ERA and a 3.02 FIP whereas making 72 begins over the previous three seasons. He completed fifth in NL Cy Younger balloting in 2020 and second in 2022.
The Phillies gave Aaron Nola a seven-year, $172 million ($24.6M AAV) deal this previous winter. Nola, who can be in 31 in June, has posted a 4.09 ERA over 96 begins because the begin of 2021. However he has been extra sturdy than Fried inside this span.
Carlos Rodón hasn’t been almost as sturdy or efficient as Fried, however he nonetheless obtained a six-year, $162 million ($27M AAV) deal from the Yankees earlier than the 2023 season.
Fried’s future with the Braves will seemingly be decided subsequent winter. However his legacy with the group may very well be additional enriched throughout what has the makings of one other profitable season.
“We have now a really decided and gifted group, and nobody appears to be glad or coasting,” Fried mentioned. “Everyone seems to be ensuring they’re as ready as attainable to enter this yr figuring out what we wish to obtain.”
