The list of suitors for Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried keeps growing, as does uncertainty about his future.
According to Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, Fried is one of ten players who will be playing for new teams next season, with many renowned franchises eager to throw big money at the soon-to-be 31-year-old left-hander.
“He’s going to decline a qualifying offer the Braves inevitably give him this offseason and search for a deal of at least five years,” Kelly told ESPN. “And there’s little doubt he is worth that type of commitment.”
The Baltimore Orioles may be willing to make such a commitment. The Orioles, who are presently second in the American League East and on track to make their second consecutive playoff appearance, may have a gap at the top of their rotation if Corbin Burnes leaves in free agency.
Burnes is likely to command at least $275 million on the open market, which may be too much for the Orioles to match.
That makes Fried a very appealing choice.
“If the Orioles don’t want to spend as much money as they’ll likely have to in order to keep Burnes around, Fried would be a good addition,” wrote Jon Conahan for the Baltimore Orioles on SI.
Fried’s record since the start of the 2019 season is 68-28 with a 3.09 ERA. The two-time All-Star finished second in the National League Cy Young voting after the 2022 season. In addition, he has won three Gold Glove Awards.
This season, Fried has his best ERA since 2019 (3.50) and has dealt with a number of injuries. However, major league clubs will always be interested in a left-handed pitcher of his calibre.
Conahan wants the Orioles to have their cake and eat it too. “The best-case scenario would be that they re-sign Burnes and add a pitcher like Fried,” he told ESPN.
If previous history is any indication, Fried will most likely leave Atlanta unless he accepts a hometown discount. It’s unclear whether he will wind up in Baltimore.
