Did Alex Anthopoulos just suggest the Braves-Max Fried drama is overblown?
The Braves-Max Fried situation is being handled in the greatest way conceivable thus far. The controversy surrounding the Atlanta Braves free agents has recently been abnormally high.
When Freddie Freeman’s representatives overplayed their hand during talks, it led to the Braves trade for Matt Olson, which was disastrous for the player. The fact that Dansby Swanson signed with the Cubs before the 2023 season offended a lot of fans, who held the front staff accountable.
However, the vast majority of this sort of drama is manufactured. Most of the time, everyone knows that baseball is a business, and both sides have a lot to weigh when making decisions. and sometimes things just don’t work out. Sure, it is more fun to think about a player feeling slighted and coming back to Atlanta for revenge, but the truth is much less headline-inspiring.
The main source of this kind of drama at the moment is Max Fried and the question of whether the Braves will be able to retain him in the long run. The Braves must consider maintaining a full and deep roster for the upcoming few years, as well as the fact that Max Fried will be pitching in his 30s due to recent arm troubles. Fried has been one of the best-left pitchers in baseball for the past few years and deserves to be paid.
Thankfully, rationality appears to be ruling the day thus far. When asked about his future with the organization, Fried acted very tactfully and expressed a desire to respect the Braves’ desire to keep these discussions confidential. Recently, Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged how much the squad enjoys having Fried and appeared to agree with how he was managing all the talk.
There is no drama for Max Fried and the Braves right now.
To be honest, it is good to see both parties accept that Fried’s future with the squad is questionable without engaging in backstabbing. Fried enjoys playing for the Braves and wouldn’t mind continuing, but he is aware that his pitching arm will provide money for future generations. Although Atlanta enjoys having Fried in their rotation, as long as Anthopoulos is in the fold, they will put more emphasis on developing a robust and deep squad. Everyone concerned is aware that neither side is incorrect in the stances they are taking.
It will be fascinating to observe whether this behaviour continues. While everyone may act civil at this point, the season will only intensify the fervour surrounding Fried’s upcoming free agency, increasing the pressure on both parties to provide answers. Ideally, this stays out of the public eye, and both parties can maintain their mutual respect. However, as we discovered with Freeman, it is not always the case, particularly when agents become involved and there is a significant financial risk.
As of right now, all we know is that Fried and the Braves are content with their current partnership. Fried is a vital component in the team’s ambitions to challenge for another World Series championship in 2024, as they have a strong roster. If it holds beyond this upcoming season, only time will tell.
