The Atlanta Braves face a crucial offseason ahead. After entering the 2024 season with high expectations, the team stumbled, dealing with underperformances across the board and a series of injuries.
This winter is vital for the Braves to rebuild their roster to match the potential they had at the start of the year. However, things are looking grim, with many analysts projecting the team to take a step back rather than move forward.
In fact, David Schoenfield of ESPN recently predicted that prized free agent Max Fried will leave Atlanta, signing a six-year, $175 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. The move would see Fried reunite with his high school teammate, Lucas Giolito.
Or they could just sign a top-of-the rotation starter. The rotation was solid enough in 2024, ranking seventh in the majors in ERA, but Tanner Houck was the only regular with an ERA under 4.00, and Nick Pivetta is a free agent,” Schoenfield wrote. “None of their starters are left-handed, however, and Fried is a good fit for Fenway Park since he induces grounders so often.”
Max Fried has been a long-time target of the Boston Red Sox, who are clearly focusing on adding left-handed pitching to their roster. With their top options now limited, Fried and Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet stand out as the primary candidates.
- In my view, Fried is clearly the better choice, offering more stability and not requiring the Red Sox to part with any top prospects. For the Braves, losing Fried without securing another ace-level pitcher would be a major setback. Given their struggles with pitching depth in 2024, such a loss could be disastrous for Atlanta.
