The Atlanta Braves will have a huge decision to make regarding their starting pitching.
Let’s be honest, the Braves have not had the best success when it comes to retaining their star players. Freddie Freeman left and flew across the country to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dansby Swanson left Atlanta for the Windy City and Wrigley Field. Could the Braves see another star leave Atlanta in free agency?
Atlanta’s ace pitcher, Max Fried, is set to enter Free Agency at the end of the 2024 season. The Braves and Fried agreed to a $15 Million contract for next season in arbitration. Fried will be turning 31 in 2025 and he is one of the best pitchers in the MLB. He has a career record of 62-26 with a 3.03 ERA. He has pitched in 139 games and struck out 697 hitters in that span.
Fried had another great season in Atlanta last year as he finished with an 8-1 record and a 2.55 ERA. He struck out 80 hitters and walked 18 over that span. What would it cost to try to retain Fried in Free Agency? I would imagine his new contract would draw a similar AAV to what Aaron Nola received this year. Nola signed a seven-year $172 Million contract to stay with the Phillies.
