Braves Unlikely To Break The Bank To Keep Max Fried
4 weeks agoThe Athletic's David O'Brien writes that the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to get into a bidding war to retain impending free-agent left-hander Max Fried. The Braves exceeded luxury-tax thresholds each of the last two seasons and will be returning Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider. Fried will be 31 in January, a little on the old side for a free-agent starter, but he is 71-31 with a 3.06 ERA in 145 regular-season games since the start of 2019 and figures to attract multiple suitors. His age and multiple injuries in his career could keep his cost low enough for Atlanta to consider re-signing him. Fried has been a three-time Gold Glove winner, two-time All-Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice. If Fried leaves and Charlie Morton retires, Atlanta has options to fill out their rotation in Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien