3 Braves players who should be considered for an extension and one who should not

The Atlanta Braves have done an amazing job locking up their talent early. With Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Sean Murphy, Spencer Strider, and Ronald Acuña Jr. all locked up for the foreseeable future. The Braves are an outlier in how they have handled contracts and locked up their key pieces.

So far this strategy has paid off for Atlanta, however, this doesn't mean every key piece is locked in. Atlanta has three players, in particular, who stand out as extension candidates. Starting with the most obvious pending offseason decision.

Max Fried - free agent in 2025

Atlanta Braves fans have already had to endure watching Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson leave the franchise. Two players who were vital to the 2021 World Series run cashed in and moved on from Atlanta. The Braves responded by finding cheaper production in Orlando Arcia and Matt Olson. Both players have been good additions, but failed to fill the void of what Atlanta lost.

If the Braves let Max Fried walk, it will be a far bigger mistake. Offensive production is easier to find ways to replicate. Finding an ace who is proven in the postseason is far more difficult. There are far fewer options on the market and those who do make it to free agency or the trade market will cost you dearly.

When Fried is healthy there simply isn't anyone you rather put on the mound in a must-win game. At this point in the season, it is a foregone conclusion that Fried is going to hit free agency. Foreseeing a West Coast kid returning home to cash in shouldn't be surprising, but perhaps expected.

Both New York teams are likely to target Fried as well if the star pitcher makes it to free agency. The Braves should not allow this to happen, you simply cannot continue to lose key pieces and expect to be able to keep finding surprise cheaper production.

Yes, Chris Sale and Charlie Morton have been pleasant surprises this season, but both are aging and cannot be relied on to produce at this same level in 2025. Max Fried is entering his prime and should be paid as such with the Braves doing what it takes to keep him in Atlanta.

Strider's injury adds to this sense of urgency with his 2025 season completely in question. The Braves need a sense of stability atop their rotation and Fried offers just that. Stability that Atlanta should be willing to pay what it takes to keep in Atlanta.

A.J. Minter - free agent in 2025

The Braves bullpen has consistently been torn down and rebuilt under the current regime. With a number of different closers and setup pieces, Minter has been one of the few constants. Aside perhaps from Jessie Chavez who always boomerangs back to Atlanta.

There is a reason throughout all of the changes that Minter has remained. The lefty has gone through rough spells, but always finds a way to the other side. His value is in his ability to fill so many different roles over the years while reliably eating innings.

It is a skill set that Minter can cash in on in free agency if he so chooses. Much as is the case with Fried, it is fair to question whether a return home could be on the table. It has been noticed how well A.J. fares in his return home, could the reliever look to join the Astros or Rangers this offseason?

If Minter isn't set on a return to his home state, the Braves should already be working on getting an extension done.

Losing both Fried and Minter in the same offseason cannot be understated. Minter has often been the arm that steps up when things aren't going perfectly just as Fried finds a way to eat innings when the bullpen needs it most.

Both players walking away from Atlanta in the same offseason would demand corresponding splashy moves. However, the far easier decision would be to spend what it takes to lock up both players and continue to keep this Braves core together.