The Atlanta Braves have been caught in the middle of trade rumors around ace Max Fried, but a few MLB insiders are shutting down those rumors.
The Atlanta Braves recently traded for catcher Sean Murphy in a three-team trade, which is causing rumors of pitcher Max Fried to be traded. Payroll is rising, and the Braves have yet to sign Fried to an extension, causing many to wonder whether or not theyāll be able to afford to.
However, a few MLB insiders have shot down the idea of him being traded.
Buster Olney of ESPN shared that the Braves arenāt entertaining the idea of Fried being traded as theyāre ātrying to win in the immediate future.ā
Atlanta did face a disappointing elimination from this postseason after winning the World Series the year prior, so it only makes sense that theyāre still in the championship mindset.
FanSidedās Robert MurrayĀ also believes the Braves wonāt trade Fried. Murray stated,Ā āThe Braves are in win-now mode and by signing most of their young nucleus to long-term, team-friendly contracts, have payroll flexibility and donāt need to trade Fried. Will they listen? Sure. All teams listen on every player. But a trade is highly unlikely this offseason.ā
While it is possible Fried goes elsewhere, it seems to be the less-likely scenario.
Braves ace Max Fried seems to be staying in Atlanta
Anything can happen, but Fried is a highly-valuable asset in Atlanta and it seems more likely the Braves would work around ways to keep him rather than trade him away.
Prior to 2018, they hadnāt been to the playoffs since 2013, but since making it in 2018, theyāve been every season and won the World Series in 2021.
Atlanta also clinched the division five seasons in a row, though 2022 was a close call in which they clinched it during the last week of the regular season. They have a solid team with some great young players, but clearing out what they have will only hurt their chances of success.
The Braves have a solid rotation with the fifth-best ERA (3.46) of the league, fourth-best opponent batting average (.226) and seventh-best WHIP (1.19). While thereās always room for improvement, trading away Fried would definitely be a noticeable downside.
This past season, he produced an ERA of 2.48, batting average against of .225 and WHIP of 1.01. Among all regular starters, he had the best ERA, BAA and WHIP.
The Braves could still decide to trade Fried, but it wouldnāt make sense to if theyāre looking to continue immediate success.