The Atlanta Braves have signed numerous players for contract extensions, locking them in for the near future. Should the franchise follow the same strategy for starting pitcher Max Fried?
Max Fried and the Atlanta Braves are heading to arbitration again after the two sides failed to agree on a salary for the 2023 season. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Fried has filed for a arbitration at $15 million, while the Braves offered $13.5 million.
It’s the second year in a row that Fried and the Braves have gone to arbitration to settle a contract dispute, with the 28-year-old southpaw winning last season for $6.85 million (Atlanta settled for 6 .6 million dollars). Fried due to be a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign, is it time for the Braves to consider a long-term extension for him?
The advantages for the Atlanta Braves to offer a long-term extension to Max Fried.
Since his debut in 2017, Fried has never posted less than 114 ERA+. His average of 162 games over seven seasons puts him at 16-7 with an ERA of 3.09/3.30 FIP/1.167 WHIP and 141 ERA+. These are numbers any MLB team would be happy to have in their rotation.
Fried’s value may never be higher than it is now, after a season where he finished second in the race to the NL’s Cy Young. If he maintains his current trajectory, Fried’s contract could approach $20 million next season in his final year as an umpire.
Atlanta’s rotation is among the best in the game, and Fried is widely considered the ace on staff. While the Braves could get a lot if they pursue a trade as has been mooted, the possibility of Atlanta getting rid of Fried while needing to stay ahead of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies in their own division seems unlikely.
An extension would add more stability for the Braves on the mound going forward, as well as send a message that players who perform are rewarded, something that has been muddied in recent seasons with the departures of Freddie Freeman and Dansby. Swanson.
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