The Atlanta Braves were eliminated in the National League Wild Card by the San Diego Padres in 2024. The team could be losing a key piece of their rotation in free agency as they try to get back on track in 2025.
While making predictions for every team's Opening Day lineup, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicted that Max Fried would sign with the Baltimore Orioles, replacing Corbin Burnes as the ace.
"The O's will have a ton of competition in their pursuit to re-sign ace Corbin Burnes, and if they are unable to bring him back, they will need to move quickly to find a suitable replacement to anchor the staff," wrote Reuter. "Max Fried, Blake Snell, Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea and Nathan Eovaldi are among the other top-of-the-rotation-caliber arms on the market."
The Braves will have plenty of competition if they want to bring Fried back. Compared to Snell and Burnes, he should be slightly cheaper. Spotrac projects Fried to sign a six-year, $136 million deal in free agency. A $22.7 average annual value for the two-time All-Star could be attractive to teams that miss on Burnes or Snell.
Fried had a 3.25 ERA in 2024 and earned his second career All-Star selection. In 29 starts he had 166 strikeouts. Fried will likely have to wait until Burnes and Snell sign to ink a deal, but losing him will be a big blow for the Braves. Fried made 29 starts last season, cementing himself as one of the most reliable starters on the team.
He and National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale proved to be a great combination. If Fried leaves the Braves will need someone else to step up in the rotation behind Sale.
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