BRAVES: Tonight’s Game May be Veteran Pitcher’s Last at Truist Park
If you’re a Braves fan attending tonight’s game at Truist Park, take a moment to appreciate Max Fried’s first pitch—it could be his final start at the ballpark in a Braves uniform.
While fans hope this isn’t the case, the Braves are still battling for a National League Wild Card spot, locked in a tight race with the Diamondbacks and Mets. For Fried to pitch again at Truist Park, the Braves not only need to reach the postseason but also win a three-game Wild Card series on the road. It’s a tough challenge, but this team has been resilient and is playing some of its best baseball as the season winds down.
Nevertheless, Fried’s impending free agency will be a major focus this offseason. The 30-year-old lefty has spent his entire eight-year career in Atlanta, compiling a 72-36 record with a 3.10 ERA. As one of the most reliable left-handed starters over the past five years, he’s poised to land a significant contract soon.
Whether that contract will be with the Braves is uncertain, but history suggests it’s unlikely. Players who reach free agency often seek market value, and Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has shown he’s unwilling to offer significant discounts, even to key figures like Fried. Freddie Freeman left after helping the Braves win the 2021 World Series, followed by Dansby Swanson the next year, and it appears Fried is on a similar trajectory.
However, this situation feels even more inevitable. Unlike Freeman and Swanson, where replacements weren’t immediately apparent, the Braves don’t seem to need Fried as much. Atlanta’s rotation has been the best in baseball for most of the season, even without Spencer Strider. Strider is expected back for Opening Day after recovering from UCL surgery and should be able to fill Fried’s role without much trouble.
The rise of Spencer Schwellenbach makes this decision easier for the Braves and Anthopoulos. Schwellenbach looks like a future star, capable of leading the rotation alongside Strider, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez. While bringing Fried back would be a luxury, given the Braves’ offensive firepower this season, there may be better ways to invest $200+ million in the offseason.