There is a prospect that the Atlanta Braves can trade ace Max Fried (28).
On the 14th (Korean time), MLB.com, the official major league media, said, “Atlanta, which acquired Sean Murphy through a triangle trade, may trade a more outstanding player. Reporter Jim Callis mentioned that Atlanta could trade Fried.”
Fried is a left-handed fireballer who recorded 54 wins, 25 losses, and an ERA of 3.09 in 125 major league games (632⅓ innings). He has been outstanding in the last three seasons and has grown into Atlanta’s ace. In particular, this year, he made a big success with 30 games (185⅓ innings), 14 wins, 7 losses, and an average ERA of 2.48, and was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career and ranked second in the National League Cy Young vote.
However, FA is approaching and the salary is gradually rising. Reporter Callis said, “Maybe Atlanta will extend Murphy’s contract. I heard that Freed was on the trade market as Atlanta’s payroll increased. Atlanta may not be able to sign Fried with a long-term contract. Don’t be surprised if Fried gets traded.” But he wasn’t sure if a free trade was imminent. 스포츠토토
Atlanta can retain Freed until the 2024 season. MLB.com said, “Fred has a 2.68 ERA over the past three seasons. In 2022, he hit a career high in innings and showed an amazing ERA + (average of 100) 164,” he said, emphasizing Fried’s performance.
According to Fan Graph, a baseball statistics site, Atlanta’s luxury tax-based payroll is expected to be $229 million. That’s just shy of the 2023 luxury tax threshold of $233 million. Fried entered his second year of salary adjustment, and MLB Trade Rumors, an American media, predicted that Fried would receive 12.2 million dollars next year.
It’s next to impossible for Atlanta to sign a long-term extension with Fried without passing the luxury tax threshold. From Atlanta’s point of view, trading when the value of Freed is at its peak may be a way to gain practical benefits. However, since he is a player who plays a key role in the team, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to trade easily.