Braves All-Star predicted $156 million deal with Dodgers

Will the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation take a hit this winter?

It certainly seems like a real possibility now that free agency is underway.

Braves star Max Fried is not only one of the best pitchers on the open market, but also one of the best players available in general. Fried has developed into a superstar with the Braves, and any prospect with some money to spend and a hole in the rotation will likely give him a call.

Steve Adams, Anthony Franco, Darragh McDonald and Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors named him the sixth-best free agent who will be available. They predicted he would sign a six-year, $156 million contract this winter, and Franco predicted it would be with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Max Fried: Six years, $156 million,” according to MLB Trade Rumors. “Tim: (Chicago Cubs) / Anthony: Dodgers / Darragh: Cubs / Steve: Cubs. Fried doesn’t have the Cy Young Awards of the previous pitchers on the list, but he has a pair of top-five finishes (including a Second-place finish in 2022) and has been the anchor of Atlanta’s rotation for more than half a decade. He’s far from a lock to post an ERA in the low 3.00s or upper 2.00s every season, with his earned run average coming in at 3 .25 or lower in each of the past five, Fried has a combined ERA of 2.81 in 112 starts in that time…

“Atlanta will likely be involved to some extent, but the years and dollars being discussed will likely quickly escalate beyond their comfort zone given those factors. Other teams that could play for Fried include the (New York Mets) , (San Francisco Giants), (Boston Red Sox), (San Diego Padres) (who originally drafted him), Cubs, (Baltimore Orioles), (Detroit Tigers), (Los Angeles Angels) and Dodgers.”

Los Angeles seemingly has more money to spend than anyone besides the Mets. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Dodgers were involved in the Fried sweepstakes, but this is just a prediction.

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