By Clint Thompson

During his time as Atlanta Braves general manager, Alex Anthopoulos has shown a propensity to allow productive and popular Atlanta Braves players leave town in free agency.

The most notable was Freddie Freeman in 2022 following the team’s World Series championship. Another was Dansby Swanson a year later. During this current run of success that has seen the Braves make the playoffs in seven straight years, there were not any more popular players than those two.

The next in line to leave is Max Fried.

This is the time of year, if your team is not in the playoffs and vying for a World Series title, when it’s time to start thinking about next year. Part of that is trying to determine what players will bolt in free agency and which ones will be re-signed.

Let’s be honest, Fried has done nothing to hurt his value since being called up to the Braves in 2017. Fried’s posted a 73-36 record and 3.07 ERA. He is also a postseason hero based on his Game 6 performance in the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros. But yet, it’s likely not to matter.

Fried is a No. 1 pitcher. He’s a southpaw which increases his value exponentially. Fried is still relatively young and will only be 31 when next year begins. But Fried’s next contract will likely be out of the Braves’ ballpark, which means another popular Brave is likely bound elsewhere in 2025.

I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, I’m just saying that’s the reality of being a Braves fan in 2024. Atlanta has sustained this level of consistency by not signing players to bad contracts.

While Fried has been outstanding on the mound, he does have an injury history, which included spending time on the injured list this year with left forearm neuritis.

The Braves’ starting staff next year will include Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach. Spencer Strider will return from a UCL injury at some point in the season. The Braves have young pitchers waiting in the wings, including AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep. They have talent at the position.

The Braves need to be cautious when thinking about a future with Fried, which is why I do not believe there is one.

That’s not to say Anthopoulos won’t sign another starter this offseason, but he will prioritize value, like with Lopez and Sale last offseason. Unfortunately, value may not be in re-signing Fried this offseason.