Left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried is in his 8th season with the Atlanta Braves. He has a career 68-29 record with a 3.05 ERA and seems to keep improving. Through 78.2 innings of work in 2024, Fried has a 3.20 ERA and has already showcased his stamina by tossing two complete games, one of which was a complete game shutout.
With numbers like this, Atlanta wants to hold on to Max as long as possible. Or would they? Fried is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. At this point, the team's odds of signing him to a contract extension during the season feel slim. If the Braves worry they cannot retain Max Fried, should they consider trading him? Let's examine a few pros and cons.
Max Fried could bring a big return for the Braves
As previously mentioned, Fried is absolutely dealing right now, and it isn't a fluke. His career numbers show that he is one of the most reliable starters in Major League Baseball. There's no doubt if the Braves put Fried on the trading block, they would get a hefty return for the southpaw hurler.
Following an uncharacteristic start to the season, Max Fried leads the National League in ERA over his past eight starts 📈
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 5, 2024
Back where he belongs among the elite. pic.twitter.com/BWcouKgHXN
Hitters struggle to barrel up Max Fried and his statcast profile proves it. He is sitting in the 98th percentile in average exit velocity, 94th percentile in hard hit percentage, and 97th percentile in ground ball rate. This combination is resulting in major success.
Not only would the return for Fried be big-time players, but they could be the answer to Atlanta's struggling offense. With Ronald Acuna Jr. out for the season and the rest of the team underperforming, trading Max Fried could bring a higher-powered offense to Atlanta.
If Atlanta were to trade Max Fried, there's no doubt they would be looking for some offensive help but where would that come from? How about the Chicago Cubs?
Sending Max Fried to the Cubs could help Atlanta strengthen their weaknesses for 2024 while allowing them to plan for the future. According to MLB Pipeline on March 8th, the Cubs have the 2nd best farm system in all of baseball. The Braves could look at adding slugger Cody Bellinger to the outfield and stock up for the future.
Brian Snitker would still also have Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez leading the starting rotation, both of which have been sensational thus far in 2024. However, Fried being shipped off would leave a glaring hole in a rotation already struggling to find a reliable fifth starter.