The Atlanta Braves could have some tough decisions to make this upcoming offseason.
Atlanta will have a handful of free agents this winter, and not everyone is expected back. The Braves' biggest free agent clearly will be starting pitcher Max Fried. It's unclear if he will be back, but he's going to get a big contract no matter what.
If Fried does return, that certainly could make it hard for the Braves to bring back some other players. One player who could be on the way out of town if the Braves sign Fried is All-Star slugger Adam Duvall, according to FanSided's John Buhler.
"Adam Duvall is by far and away the easiest name to cross off," Buhler said. "He wasn't good at all this year for the Braves and was relegated to the bench, if even that during the postseason run. You cannot have a guy who is injury-prone, hitting well below The Mendoza Line, who runs himself into outs on the base path, taking up a roster spot on a contending team. Duvall may return one day, but don't count on it.
"His greatest moment in a Braves uniform came in a World Series loss at home to Houston. That grand slam was great, but it didn't matter... Instead, I think moving on from Duvall would help free up more options for (Alex Anthopoulos) to figure out how to assemble an outfield arrangement before Ronald Acuña Jr. makes his triumphant return to the starting lineup. There are solutions, but Duvall no longer is one. Paying Fried close to what he is worth should be prioritized, but cutting dead weight is even more so."
Duvall has been a great member of the Braves, but he struggled in 2024. He's being paid $3 million, and the club likely won't want to pay that price again.
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