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Max Fried rumors: 4 trade packages to get the Braves to budge

By Tim Boyle

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves walks on to the field prior to the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves walks on to the field prior to the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /
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Max Fried rumors, Cardinals trade package
Tyler O’Neill would be a big part of a possible St. Louis Cardinals trade for Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Friend. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2) Max Fried rumors: A trade package from the Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a win-now team that might have the best number of total assets to swing a major trade. Fried isn’t the man to overpay for, but a reasonable addition for them to make. What can they offer the Braves to make the Max Fried rumors come true?

This deal focuses heavily on the Braves hoping Tyler O’Neill rebounds from his poor 2022 season. Atlanta gets their upgrade at a position of need. The Cardinals add a stud pitcher to their rotation and someone to consider extending shortly after.

Cooper Hjerpe is the 22nd overall pick from last year’s draft so the Braves are getting a strong young player back, too. Alec Willis, a lesser pitching prospect for the Cardinals, also goes to the Braves in this deal.

Finally, there’s Nolan Gorman. He doesn’t seem to have much of a path for more regular playing time in St. Louis. His destiny could be as a utlity man. Every team can use one of those.

Adding Fried to the roster does put the Cardinals in a spot to maybe deal away another starting pitcher. Steven Matz is someone they would probably like to move on from. Short of dumping his salary, could they maybe look to move Jack Flaherty instead and possibly bolster the club in a different way?

The Cardinals have a ton of ways to get creative with building their roster. Their best way to improve the team is to use a player like O’Neill. They have plenty of other options to replace him already on the roster. Give Alec Burleson a shot or seek out other left field options in separate transactions.

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