Max Fried came through in a big way on Saturday, delivering a solid performance when the Braves needed it most. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Fried pitched six innings of one-run ball, keeping Atlanta alive in the NL Wild Card race.
The Braves are only two games behind the rival New York Mets, with a showdown at Truist Park looming. Every game matters now, and Fried’s dominant outing was a huge step in the right direction.
“It’s the time of the year where we’re at,” Fried said after the game. “I really only had two starts left, so you’ve just got to dig deep. Every ounce of what I had today, I wanted to make sure I left it out there.” That’s the kind of heart and determination you expect from a top-tier pitcher like Fried, especially when his team’s playoff dreams are on the line.
As much as Fried focuses on the here and now, Braves manager Brian Snitker couldn’t help but get emotional when talking about his star pitcher. Snitker’s words had a sense of finality, almost as if he was preparing to say goodbye.
“He’s been really good for his time here, that’s for sure,” Snitker said. “He burst on the scene here when he was a kid. I’ve had a really cool seat watching Max mature and come into being one of the elite left-handed pitchers in our game.”
Snitker’s use of the past tense raised some eyebrows, and it’s no secret why. Fried’s future with the Braves is up in the air, and this could be one of his last starts in Atlanta.
The decision ultimately lies with Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, who must determine if the team is willing to meet Fried’s price tag this winter. So far, negotiations haven’t gone smoothly, and it’s unclear if Fried’s asking price has changed as the season progressed.
Fried’s potential departure looms large for the Braves, especially considering the injury concerns surrounding the rest of the rotation. While Atlanta’s 2025 starting group looks formidable on paper with Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez, there are red flags.
Strider is recovering from Tommy John surgery, Lopez is currently on the IL with shoulder inflammation, and Sale has dealt with a series of elbow surgeries and a dip in fastball velocity in his recent outings.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Fried has been the one reliable arm Atlanta can count on. Sure, the Braves have a star-studded list of potential starters, but with all of them dealing with recent injuries, Fried’s consistency and durability make him invaluable. If the Braves hope to stay competitive and push for another deep postseason run, keeping Fried around could be the difference maker.
As the season winds down, Atlanta faces a tough decision. Do they let one of their best pitchers walk, or do they find a way to keep Fried in a Braves uniform? One thing’s for sure—if Saturday’s outing was any indication, Max Fried is far from done helping the Braves win. Whether that continues next season or somewhere else remains to be seen, but for now, he focuses on helping Atlanta make that final push to the playoffs.
