Atlanta Braves: Pros and cons of a long-term contract with Max Fried

The cons of the Atlanta Braves offering a long-term extension to Max Fried

While the Braves were able to lock up players like Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II early in their careers for relatively good value, the jump that Fried will make in his salary this season makes a contract extension an expensive venture for the Braves. Atlanta just signed catcher Sean Murphy to a six-year, $73 million extension ($12.16 million per year) after acquiring him from the Oakland A’s. Fried’s annual value would be well above that, with perhaps a four-year, $76 million deal ($19 million per season) a thought.

By signing Fried to that kind of a contract, the Braves would be locked in on him, good or bad. Fried has been extremely durable during his recent Braves career. Will that trend continue?

Also, as seen with Freeman and Swanson, the Braves can’t keep everyone. Atlanta does have pitching depth with Bryce Elder pitching well when needed last season in Strider’s absence and Ian Anderson and Kolby Allard lurking with big league experience as well.

It’s a situation reminiscent of this offseason with Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros. While Houston tried to keep Verlander, they believed they had the depth to overcome his absence (which happened when the New York Mets offered him a deal worth $86.7 million over the next two seasons). If Atlanta is as confident in who they have behind their ace as Houston was this offseason, throwing money at Fried that could be used in other areas simply may not make sense.