One of the biggest questions facing the Atlanta Braves this offseason is what to do with star pitcher Max Fried. The two-time All-Star may be out of the Braves’ price range, fueling speculation about his future destination.
In his offseason predictions, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter forecasts that Fried will leave Atlanta for the Baltimore Orioles. Reuter suggests that the Orioles could prioritize signing Fried over retaining Corbin Burnes.
“Fried has been a key figure at the top of the Braves’ rotation for the past five seasons,” Reuter wrote in a November 6, 2024, article titled *”Forecasting MLB’s 10 Biggest Headlines of the 2024-25 Offseason.”* “After battling arm issues in 2023, Fried made 29 starts, pitched 174.1 innings, and posted a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 166-to-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio.”
“Fried, 30, will not be a bargain by any means and could end up commanding a contract north of $100 million, but he will almost certainly come cheaper than Burnes both in terms of overall money and average annual value.”
Max Fried is expected to receive a significant raise in his next contract, with Spotrac estimating his market value at a six-year, $136 million deal, which would translate to an average annual salary of $22.7 million. This projection comes after Fried’s $15 million salary in 2024.
Braves Pitcher Max Fried’s Projected Market Value Is a 6-Year, $136 Million Contract
While it would not be surprising for the Atlanta Braves to make an effort to re-sign Fried, the team’s history suggests they are unlikely to make a substantial financial commitment in free agency. The Braves have been conservative in their spending, and Fried’s projected value likely exceeds the Braves’ typical payroll allocation for pitching.
As of the 2024 season, Fried has been a central figure in the Braves’ rotation for five seasons, maintaining a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 166-to-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 174.1 innings. Given these statistics and Fried’s established role in a contending team, his market value has risen significantly, positioning him for a contract that may exceed the Braves’ budget.
It would be surprising if the Atlanta Braves didn’t try to re-sign Max Fried, but the team’s front office has rarely been willing to spend big in free agency. Fried earned $15 million in 2024, but he’s in line for a substantial raise this offseason.
Spotrac projects his market value at a six-year, $136 million contract, which would give him an average annual salary of $22.7 million. Given this projection, it could be a challenge for the Braves to match such a deal, considering their cautious approach to high-priced free-agent contracts.
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos on MLB Rumors: “30 Teams Would Love to Have Max Fried’
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos seemed to leave the door open for Max Fried to potentially leave Atlanta this offseason. While expressing admiration for the star pitcher, Anthopoulos acknowledged that the Braves will face stiff competition to retain him.
“I was just talking to [Braves chairman] Terry McGuirk earlier today, and we were talking about Max,” Anthopoulos shared on October 4, per The Athletic’s David O’Brien. “I personally really like Max. Forget the fact that he’s a two-time All-Star, one of the best left-handed starters in the game. But the way he’s carried himself, how he’s handled himself in the community, with the front office, and with the coaching staff—I really think highly of him, and I admire him.”
“Obviously, he’s scheduled to be a free agent. We’d love to have him back, but 30 teams would love to have Max Fried, right? We’ll see where that goes. But he’s sincere. He’s always been sincere about everything here. These guys who become great players, rightfully so, become really sought after. So we’ll see where that goes.”
In addition to Fried’s uncertain future, the Braves received some disappointing news regarding two of their stars. Both Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are expected to miss Opening Day as they continue to recover from injuries.
“Ronald Acuña Jr. & Spencer Strider won’t be ready for Opening Day,” Anthopoulos told Matt Gelb of The Athletic at the GM meetings on November 8. “This is the first time he’s said they won’t be ready, though he had previously mentioned it could be a month or two into the season before Acuña is ready. They’ll evaluate as we go along.”
