Fried focused on '24 despite uncertain future in Atlanta

ATLANTA -- As Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos sat in front of fans during a Q&A session at BravesFest on Saturday, he saw a young kid holding a sign that lobbied for Max Fried to remain in Atlanta beyond 2024. Anthopoulos also fielded a question regarding the veteran left-hander’s long-term future.

Meanwhile, Fried’s session with media members introduced him to similar queries. Everyone wants to get a feel for whether this will be the southpaw’s final season with the Braves.

“It’s out of my control right now,” Fried said. “But the Braves do things a certain way and I know that privacy and doing things behind closed doors is the way things are done. I respect that. I know I love being here and I’m really excited to get started with this group.”

Having seen both Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson exit via free agency in recent years, Atlanta fans realize it doesn’t really matter what is said before negotiations begin. Players express their interest in staying. Teams express their interest in keeping players. And in the end, money usually trumps desire.

So, for now, it feels like a guessing game. Fried has been a part of Atlanta’s roster going back to the final two months of the 2017 season. He and Ozzie Albies are the only players who have been with the Braves throughout the team’s current run of six straight NL East titles. Fried became a 2021 World Series hero when he won the decisive Game 6 after his ankle was trampled in the first inning.

Fried will forever be a part of Atlanta sports history. But how much longer will the Braves be a part of his future? The lefty will be eligible for free agency once the upcoming season concludes.

“This is all I really know,” said Fried, who has been part of the Braves organization since the Padres traded him to Atlanta as a Minor League pitcher in 2015. “This organization has been nothing but supportive to me. I know the fans and city have really embraced me. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”

While it’s too early to predict where Fried might be pitching next year, Austin Riley is among the Braves who have said there’s no reason to worry about the contract situation being a distraction.

“His purpose in playing the game is for the love of the game,” Riley said. “He’s very passionate about it. I don’t know if anyone does any more homework between starts than him. I think he’ll be able to handle the talks behind the free agency and all that stuff. He’s a level-headed guy that wants to win ballgames. I think that alone will take care of itself.”

Fried is set for a big payday as long as he can stay healthy. A left forearm strain served as the primary reason he made just 14 starts last year. He also battled a hamstring strain and a late-season blister.

Fried, who turned 30 on Jan. 18, has posted a 2.71 ERA and a 3.02 FIP while making 72 starts over the past three seasons. He finished second in NL CY Young balloting in both 2020 and ‘22.

What might he earn as a free agent?

Well, the Phillies gave Aaron Nola a seven-year, $172 million deal this winter. Nola has posted a 4.09 ERA over 96 starts since the start of 2021.

Nola hasn’t been as effective as Fried, but his recent success did prompt the Braves to make a serious bid to sign him this offseason.

Atlanta has the financial flexibility to bid for a frontline starter. But it remains to be seen where Fried’s price might stand at the end of this season.

Coming off an injury-plagued season, Fried has the opportunity to strengthen his value and possibly earn $30 million per year with his next contract. He could enter the free agent market with Zack Wheeler, Walker Buehler and possibly Gerrit Cole next offseason. There has been some recent speculation the Phillies could lock up Wheeler before the regular season begins.

Regardless, Fried will be a top target as long as he is healthy.

“I think I’m the healthiest I’ve been,” said Fried, whose forearm wasn’t an issue after he rejoined Atlanta’s rotation in early August last year.

There will be interest in Fried’s long-term future. But the immediate concerns will focus on his ability to strengthen his spot among the game’s top starters and help the Braves win another World Series.

“I don’t think [possible free agency] is something he’s thinking about,” Spencer Strider said. “I think he loves Atlanta and being in this clubhouse. For him, nothing is changing. He’s showing up the same way he has the past however many years. It’s the same house and the same group. I think his goals are the same as the rest of ours. That is to go out, perform and win, and the rest will take care of itself.”