Atlanta Braves fans have plenty to be excited about when looking ahead to next season. Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Austin Riley will be back at full strength, and it’s unlikely hitters like Matt Olson and Michael Harris will struggle as they did this season. Atlanta has every reason to aim high—except for one looming issue: free agent Max Fried.
The front office has locked the Braves ace in negotiations for years, and now it seems increasingly possible that Fried may sign elsewhere. Atlanta’s rotation could be in serious trouble without him, especially with veteran Charlie Morton likely to retire.
Even worse for Braves fans? The possible destinations for Fried could turn him into a thorn in their side. Here’s a look at the landing spots that would hurt the most.
New York Mets: Reloading in the NL East
The New York Mets are serious contender. With several key pitchers potentially leaving in free agency, the Mets have holes to fill, and owner Steve Cohen has shown he’s willing to spend big for talent.
Though rumor has it Cohen is primarily focused on prying Juan Soto away from the Bronx, there’s no reason the Mets couldn’t aim for both Soto and Fried.
A Mets rotation headlined by Fried and Kodai Senga would be a formidable pairing, giving New York a playoff-ready core to compete in the NL East. With players like Francisco Lindor already in MVP form and a deep, flexible lineup, the Mets will be a tough team to beat.
And if Fried remains in the division, Braves fans would be forced to watch him pitch against Atlanta regularly. Losing Fried to the Mets wouldn’t just hurt; it would be a constant reminder of what Atlanta had and lost.
Philadelphia Phillies: A Rotation for the Ages?
The Philadelphia Phillies have spent plenty on their rotation, with stars like Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola already locked into big contracts. But rumor has it they’re still looking for a reliable fifth starter, and GM Dave Dombrowski is known for chasing big-name players.
Though it might seem far-fetched, Philadelphia has been linked to other rotation options like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Garrett Crochet, so it’s not impossible they’d consider going all-in for Fried.
If that happened, the Phillies could boast one of the best rotations in baseball, especially with Fried bolstering their depth and postseason potential. While their rotation would lean heavily on lefties—Fried, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sanchez—that’s not a dealbreaker when each pitcher is at All-Star level.
A Phillies rotation with Fried would make Atlanta’s path to the postseason much more complicated and is, without question, the nightmare scenario for Braves fans.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Max Fried Hollywood Homecoming
The Dodgers are perhaps the most logical fit for Max Fried. Not only is he a California native, but the Dodgers are notorious for chasing elite talent—and this offseason will be no different. With Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow set to join Los Angeles next season, adding Fried could solidify the Dodgers’ standing as the league’s premier team.
Fried’s postseason experience (despite some ups and downs) would be a valuable addition to a team already packed with stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. It would be a bitter pill for Braves fans to swallow, watching Fried help a juggernaut team make a run at the World Series. And while Fried staying in the NL East would be tough, his potential move to the Dodgers represents an equally dreaded prospect.
A Crucial Offseason for Atlanta
As the Braves enter the offseason, there’s no question they’ll be keeping a close eye on Fried’s decision. Losing their ace would be tough under any circumstances, but seeing him join a rival—or worse, a powerhouse like the Dodgers—would sting for years to come.
Atlanta has the pieces to make another postseason run, but without Max Fried anchoring the rotation, they’ll need every bit of that star power to stay on top of the National League.
