Max Fried, the All-Star pitcher and fan favorite for the Atlanta Braves, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and he may leave the team for a new destination. Projections indicate that Fried could sign a deal worth over $100 million, with some estimates ranging from $150 million to $175 million.
The Braves are expected to make re-signing him their top priority this offseason, but the real question is whether he will prioritize them in return. In a recent Bleacher Report article, Zachary Rymer ranked Fried’s top 10 free-agent destinations, placing the Toronto Blue Jays at number one, ahead of the Braves, New York Mets, and other contenders.
Rymer noted that the Blue Jays are targeting Fried as a major signing, and if they succeed, it could bolster their rotation significantly. Adding Fried to a lineup that already includes Gausman, Berríos, Francis, and Bassitt would give Toronto one of the strongest rotations in the American League. While this approach has been risky in the past, Rymer believes it could pay off.
The Blue Jays are aggressively pursuing top free agents and, if they miss out on other targets like Soto, signing Fried would be a solid backup plan and a significant upgrade. With their ambitious plans, Toronto could become a major contender in the American League East if they land Fried.
