The Atlanta Braves face a crucial free agency period, with one of their top pitchers, fan-favorite lefty Max Fried, set to enter unrestricted free agency. Fried has been an integral part of the Braves’ rotation for the past eight years. Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently evaluated Fried’s free agency outlook, projecting that he will sign a six-year, $160 million contract.
Rymer acknowledged Fried’s strong performance but also highlighted some concerns that could influence his market value. While Fried isn’t considered injury-prone, he has dealt with blisters and missed time due to forearm issues in both 2023 and 2024.
If these health concerns don’t deter teams, his potential rejection of a qualifying offer might lead to draft-pick compensation, which could further impact his market. Despite these factors, Fried is expected to land a deal in the nine-figure range, with the six-year, $160 million estimate being widely shared by MLB experts.
Fried has been remarkably consistent on the mound over the past five seasons, posting solid ERAs ranging from 2.25 to 3.25. Though he hasn’t always been seen as the Braves’ top ace—especially in recent years with Spencer Strider and, in 2024, Chris Sale emerging ahead of him—there are few pitchers Atlanta would prioritize over Fried. A contract surpassing $100 million for Fried would not be surprising given his track record.
