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Braves Rumors: Trade targets, Raisel Iglesias breakdown, Max Fried’s future

By Mark Powell

NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves looks on prior to an exhibition game against the Puerto Rico National team at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2023 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves looks on prior to an exhibition game against the Puerto Rico National team at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2023 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Max Fried, Atlanta Braves
Max Fried, Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves Rumors: What to make of Max Fried’s future

Max Fried is one of the best pitchers in the National League when he’s healthy, but that hasn’t been all too often lately. Fried has another year of arbitration remaining on his contract, but last heard, he and Alex Anthopoulos are far apart on a potential extension. Rather than sitting through another arbitration process, a trade could be looming this offseason.

Most teams wouldn’t trade their ace, but Anthopoulos is great at knowing the right time to make such a move. Spencer Strider, Kyle Wright and Co. make a nice pitching core for any contender. Is Fried really necessary?

For now, though, the Braves will hope to stay afloat without Fried (or Wight, for that matter) until likely July. Per FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray, this is their plan:

"“But the injury puts the Braves’ rotation in a precarious position. Their rotation now features Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder. They will likely call up Dylan Dodd, Jared Shuster or Mike Soroka from the minors, though both Dodd and Shuster have struggled in brief major-league action and Soroka is still eight months removed from his second Achilles tendon surgery.”"

Fried is over the age of 30 and coming off injury. Barring a team-friendly deal, it’s hard to see Anthopoulos spending a lot of money at a position of strength. His injury status this season won’t help his overall value, or importance to the team as other Braves pitchers emerge.

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