Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have experienced their fair share of injuries over the past season, and as they prepare for 2025, they may face a significant blow to their pitching staff. Max Fried, one of the key pillars of their rotation in recent years, is now a hot commodity on the free-agent market, with his potential departure from Atlanta looming large.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, the Toronto Blue Jays are strongly positioned to land the left-handed ace. Reuter predicts that Fried will sign a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Blue Jays this offseason, marking a significant shift in the Braves’ pitching plans.
A Big Loss for the Braves
Max Fried has been a steady and dominant presence for the Braves, earning two All-Star selections and consistently putting up ace-caliber numbers. Despite a challenging 2023 season that was marred by arm injuries, Fried made 29 starts and pitched 174.1 innings, maintaining a solid 3.25 ERA. When healthy, he’s been one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, and his production in 2023—though not his best—demonstrated that he’s still a frontline starter.
For Atlanta, losing Fried would be a major blow. While their pitching depth has been impressive in recent seasons, the Braves will have to regroup without one of their top arms, who has been a fixture in their rotation for years.
Blue Jays Ready to Make a Splash
The Blue Jays have been a team willing to spend big in recent offseasons, and it appears they are ready to make another splash. After their near-miss pursuit of Shohei Ohtani last winter, the Blue Jays are reportedly ready to break the bank again, this time to secure a top-tier pitcher in Fried.
Toronto’s pitching staff is already solid, with Kevin Gausman and José Berrios anchoring the rotation, but adding Fried would elevate them to new heights. If the Blue Jays are unable to land Juan Soto, they could very well reallocate those funds to target multiple high-impact free agents, with Fried being the centerpiece of their offseason moves.
A Fit for Both Sides?
For Fried, the move to Toronto could be a chance for a fresh start with a team that has been on the rise in recent seasons. The Blue Jays are loaded with talent, and securing a pitcher like Fried would only enhance their chances of contention, especially in an increasingly competitive AL East.
On the flip side, Fried has been a staple for the Braves’ rotation, and his departure would leave a significant void. However, Atlanta has made it clear that their focus is on improving their roster across the board, and they may look to fill the gap left by Fried’s departure with a combination of internal options and other free-agent signings.
The Future of Max Fried
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Fried and his decision to potentially leave Atlanta for a lucrative deal with the Blue Jays. The Braves will be hard-pressed to replace an arm of his caliber, and Toronto’s interest signals that Fried’s value remains extremely high despite his injury concerns in 2023.
While the Braves hope to retain their ace, the Blue Jays’ reported interest in Fried could signal a major shift in the AL East hierarchy if they manage to secure his services. The next few weeks will be pivotal for both Fried and the Braves as the offseason drama unfolds.
