All eyes are on Atlanta’s ace Max Fried this offseason, especially Braves fans. The two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner has hit the open market, and the buzz around the league is deafening.
Max Fried has consistently delivered for the Braves, and if he chooses to test the waters, you can bet that teams from coast to coast will be lining up with their best offers. So, what does Atlanta do? Well, re-signing him would be the ideal outcome, but if they can’t, there are some intriguing alternatives out there—like, say, New York Mets starter Luis Severino.
Now, let’s talk about Severino for a second. Coming off a 3.91 ERA across 31 starts, this guy has really shown he’s still got what it takes. Remember, this is a pitcher who bounced back in a big way after a rough 2023 with the Yankees. Severino isn’t just a filler. He’s a legitimate starter who knows how to handle the heat of the NL East. And the cherry on top? He’s going to cost a lot less than Fried. Spotrac projects Severino at around three years and $46 million, which is, frankly, a bargain in today’s market.
Sure, some might say, “But can he replace Fried?” And the answer is, he doesn’t have to be Fried—he just has to be effective. Severino is only 30, still in his prime, and for the price tag he’s carrying, Atlanta could use the savings to bolster other parts of the roster, giving them more flexibility. Maybe add another bullpen arm or a solid outfielder—whatever it takes to turn the Braves into a full-force contender again.
The 2024 season wasn’t exactly what Braves fans hoped for, but there’s no reason this team can’t bounce back. With some better luck on the injury front and a couple of key moves, like bringing in Severino if Fried heads elsewhere, Atlanta could be right back in the thick of World Series contention by 2025. The front office just needs to play its cards right.
