The Atlanta Braves extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent left-hander Max Fried on Monday, according to sources. If Fried rejects the offer and signs with another club this offseason, the Braves will receive draft-pick compensation. Fried has pitched in Atlanta in all eight of his big-league seasons, compiling a nice 3.07 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 23.9 percent strikeout rate in 884 1/3 regular-season innings over 168 appearances (151 starts). The 30-year-old southpaw is fully expected to reject the qualifying offer and test out free agency. The Braves would love to have him back, but Fried could quickly get priced out of Atlanta's price range for a starter on the open market. The two-time All-Star has been bit by the injury bug in the past, but when healthy, he's one of the better top-of-the-rotation starters in baseball.
Braves Unlikely To Break The Bank To Keep Max Fried
The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to get into a bidding war to retain impending free-agent left-hander Max Fried. The Braves exceeded luxury-tax thresholds each of the last two seasons and will be returning Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider. Fried will be 31 in January, a little on the old side for a free-agent starter, but he is 71-31 with a 3.06 ERA in 145 regular-season games since the start of 2019 and figures to attract multiple suitors. His age and multiple injuries in his career could keep his cost low enough for Atlanta to consider re-signing him. Fried has been a three-time Gold Glove winner, two-time All-Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice. If Fried leaves and Charlie Morton retires, Atlanta has options to fill out their rotation in Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was hit in the hip with a comebacker in the second inning of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, with manager Brian Snitker stating during the broadcast that the impacted area was bothering Fried and that was why he ultimately decided to take him out. Fried was masterful his last time out against the Royals at the end of the regular season but did not fare as well Wednesday, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, then being held responsible for five earned runs in the second inning. The southpaw allowed eight hits and no walks while striking out two in two innings of work. With the Braves eliminated, the 30-year-old will be good to go next season, although at this point it's not certain whether or not it will be with Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried has been tabbed to take the ball in Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park. The Braves decided to go with right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who has made just one start in 2024, for Game 1 on Tuesday night. It will be a full-circle moment for Fried, as he was drafted seventh overall in 2012 by the Padres. The 30-year-old southpaw is now the team's ace with fellow left-hander Chris Sale (back) out for the wild-card series due to back spasms that cropped up on Sunday. Fried made his second All-Star team in 2024 and was solid for Atlanta, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings over 29 starts. He led the league with two complete games, including one shutout. Fried faced SD once, back on May 17, taking the loss while allowing three earned runs with three walks and two K's in 4 1/3 innings.
Max Fried Dominant On Friday, One Out Away From Complete-Game Shutout
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was dominant on Friday night, coming just one out short of a complete-game shutout in the Braves' 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. Fried gave up just three hits en route to recording his 11th win of the season. With the Braves fighting hard for a wild-card spot, Fried's performance gives them a ton of flexibility in the bullpen over the weekend. The lefty and his 3.25 ERA were a massive help to an ailing roster, providing consistency for the Braves throughout all of 2024. Fantasy managers are thrilled with his performance this season, and Fried will be a very important piece to the Braves if they make it into October.
Max Fried Can't Find Control In First Start Off IL
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried made his first start since July 11 on Sunday, but didn't have his usual stuff and took the loss in a 7-0 defeat against the Miami Marlins. Fried allowed five runs on four hits and a whopping five walks in 3 IP. He did manage to strike out six, but it was hardly a consolation prize for him or fantasy managers. The lefty was dealing with forearm neuritis before coming into this start, and whether that is still affecting him or he is just rust is up for debate. Either way, fantasy managers should sit Fried until he shows he is startable again.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) is being activated off the 15-day IL to start on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Marlins. Fried hit the injured list in late July due to forearm neuritis but clearly did not face any setbacks as he returned very quickly. Prior to the injury, the southpaw posted a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 34:95 BB:K ratio. In his past five starts, the 30-year-old has held a 2.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Under the hood, Fried boasts a 59.3% ground ball rate, 33.2% hard-hit rate, and a 5.2% barrel rate, which suggest he should continue to post excellent ratios in the second half. Fried will be a popular play in DFS this afternoon as he will face the Marlins who carry one of the worst records in baseball.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Friday and is a candidate for Sunday's start at Truist Park against the visiting division-rival Miami Marlins. Fried was placed on the 15-day IL on July 21, retroactive to July 18, after feeling discomfort in his left forearm during warmups prior to pitching an inning in the mid-July All-Star Game, but it sounds like he'll be able to skip a brief minor-league rehab assignment and get right back into Atlanta's rotation as soon as this weekend. The 30-year-old All-Star left-hander took a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95:34 K:BB across 108 innings with him to the shelf, and he'll be in a great spot for fantasy purposes if he indeed returns to take the hill against the last-place Marlins on Sunday. Stay tuned for more clarity on the Braves' rotation plans for this weekend.
Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried (forearm), who is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Friday, said he felt good after ramping up activities on Saturday and threw in the outfield before Sunday's contest against the New York Mets and showed no lingering effects of nerve inflammation. Manager Brian Snitker said he didn't know if Fried would require a minor-league rehab start once he's cleared to pitch. The 30-year-old southpaw went on the IL coming out of the All-Star break after he felt discomfort while warming up for the scoreless inning he pitched in the Midsummer Classic. Fried still has some hurdles to clear before he's back in the Braves' starting rotation, so fantasy managers are going to have to stay patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot. He's been great this year, going 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 95 K's in 108 innings over his 18 starts.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left forearm neuritis. In a corresponding move, the Braves promoted left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from Triple-A. This transaction was backdated to July 18, which could set up an early August return for Fried. The 30-year-old has posted a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 34:95 BB:K ratio across 108 frames this season. At Triple-A, Dodd has logged 83 innings to the tune of a 4.99 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The 26-year-old could contend for the fifth spot in the rotation with Bryce Elder, who has struggled in the majors this season with a hefty 6.35 ERA.