The Atlanta Braves seem to be pointed towards the postseason for the seventh consecutive year.
With a record of 76-63, the Braves hold a slim lead over the New York Mets for the third and final National League Wild Card spot. But they may have some questions to answer in the offseason.
Left-hander Max Fried is set to enter free agency this winter and the two sides have yet to agree on an extension. However, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report expects that the Braves will be able to re-sign him.
“The 30-year-old will be the top starting pitcher on the market outside of Corbin Burnes this winter, so it might take a deal north of $100 million to get him signed,” Reuter wrote. “That’s a major financial commitment for a team already has a lot of long-term money on the books, but they simply can’t afford to let him leave.”
Fried is very important to the Braves and he played a key role in the team ascending to contention in 2018 and remaining a threat in the National League.
While they do have a resurgent Chris Sale, who they acquired from the Boston Red Sox, letting Fried walk would significantly hurt their starting rotation, especially while they wait for Spencer Strider to return from Tommy John surgery.
The veteran ace is 8-8 in 24 starts with a 3.52 ERA over 140 2/3 innings of work. He also has punched out 130 batters and posted a 1.21 WHIP.
Fried has proven to be a viable postseason starter as well and somebody the Braves have been able to count on in big games, so it certainly would be unfortunate for them to lose him in free agency.
His market will be competitive, but even if the Braves have a ton of money committed to other players, he should still be on their radar.
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