“Braves' Max Fried Expected to Sign with Arch-Rival in MLB Free Agency”

The Atlanta Braves have done an excellent job of extending their young star players to long-term contracts in recent years. But one player they missed was left-hander Max Fried.

After the 2024 season, Fried will be an unrestricted free agent. Many MLB experts are already predicting that the veteran left-hander will change teams this offseason.

But Bleacher Report's Erik Beaston had a prediction this week that would be particularly painful for Braves fans if it came true. Beaston predicted Fried would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Heyman connected Fried to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where his former teammate Jack Flaherty was thriving for one of the best teams in the game,” Beaston wrote. “It's an exciting duel where this team's only weak point is the starting player and Fried will probably want to continue his career for a rival team.”

“Considering the Dodgers have a seemingly endless pile of cash with which to pay any free agent the organization sets its sights on, finances don't seem to be an issue. What if the team took a liking to another free agent pitcher, like Corbin Burnes.

“Still, if the Dodgers are willing to pay up and Fried can convince them that the injuries plaguing his 2024 season are unusual and not a trend, it's a match made in baseball heaven.”

It would be even worse if Fried ended up with the New York Mets or the Philadelphia Phillies. But the Dodgers' hatred in Atlanta isn't far behind those teams due to recent playoff matchups between the two clubs. The Dodgers also signed first baseman Freddie Freeman after he left the Braves.

Fried is 10-10 this season with a 3.42 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 165.2 innings. He made the All-Star team but struggled with some injuries in the second half of that year.

The left-handed hitter made the All-Star team twice in the last three seasons. He is 72-36 with a 3.10 ERA in 167 games during his career.

Last week, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand didn't name the Dodgers, but identified the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers as suitable players for Fried. So the Dodgers will likely have competition for Fried's services.

That could be a good thing, but of course it could also be bad for the Braves' efforts to re-sign Fried.

Fried is scheduled to start the series opener against the Kansas City Royals on Friday. It's possible it will be his last appearance in a Braves uniform.