Especially given how much the Atlanta Braves have struggled this season, it is pretty painful to see long-time starter Max Fried showing out with the Yankees. There were some very fair reasons why the Braves ultimately passed on paying Fried what the market gave him, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a great pitcher and it would have been great if Atlanta could have kept him. However, Fried's departure wasn't quite official just yet until Monday.
Because the Braves gave Fried a qualifying offer which he promptly declined, they received an extra draft pick right after the fourth round of the 2025 MLB Draft as compensation for signing elsewhere. Atlanta just made that pick and went with second baseman Dixon Williams out of East Carolina
Love the pick of ECU infielder Dixon Williams by the Braves. I mentioned him to @gvedak about a month ago as a player I wanted to see the Braves take. A bit under the radar but more upside than he gets credit for. Announced as a 2B
— Matt Powers (@MattPowers31) July 14, 2025
Braves finalize Max Fried's departure with selection of
Williams got announced as a second baseman which is interesting in itself. Offensively, he is surprisingly well rounded as he has a bit of pop and can also run a bit. While he doesn't look like a typical second baseman, Atlanta is buying his bat here and he should move well enough to stay in the infield.
Is this pick worth losing out on Fried? By itself, no...probably not. However, Fried was commanding silly money on the free agent market and keep him would have hamstrung a Braves team that is already running pretty tight even more. Getting an extra draft pick in addition to keeping some semblance of payroll flexibility doesn't feel so bad and should feel better as Fried ages.
One just hope that the Braves took this opportunity to add real talent to their farm system. If not, it will be a wasted opportunity that could haunt Atlanta as long as Fried is still playing.