Max Fried is gone. It stings as a Braves fan, right? The guy who anchored the rotation, snagged Gold Gloves like they were party favors, and became a two-time All-Star has packed his bags for the Bronx Bombers.
That $218 million deal from the Yankees wasn’t exactly something Atlanta could casually shrug off. And now, the big question looms like a high fastball: What’s next for the Braves’ rotation?
Losing Fried is a gut punch, but let’s take a deep breath. The rotation isn’t completely wrecked, but it’s far from solid. With more uncertainty swirling around Charlie Morton’s future as well, the Braves must act quickly. Jim Bowden’s intriguing suggestion is former Dodgers ace Jack Flaherty.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Flaherty? The guy the Yankees passed on because of medical concerns?” When Flaherty’s healthy—and that’s the keyword here—he’s got serious potential. This isn’t some wild gamble; this is a calculated risk that could pay off in a big way for Atlanta.
Let’s look at the numbers. Last season, Flaherty quietly put together a solid campaign split between the Tigers and Dodgers. He went 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.068 WHIP over 28 starts. That’s no small feat. And the man struck out 194 batters in just 162 innings.
In other words, when his arm’s in shape, he’s got the stuff to dominate. That’s the kind of performance the Braves could seriously use to soften the blow of Fried’s departure.
And let’s not forget, Flaherty is still young. He’s more than a year younger than Fried and comes with a potential price tag that’s far less painful. Spotrac projects him landing a three-year, $63 million deal.
That’s a whole lot more digestible than $218 million. And if the Braves front office does their homework on his medicals, does everything check out? This might just be the pivot they need.
Injuries Are a Real Risk With Flaherty For the Braves
Of course, there’s a gamble here. Injuries have plagued Flaherty’s career since his electric 2019 season with the Cardinals. But if he’s healthy? The ceiling is high.
Let’s not pretend that the Braves are strangers to rolling the dice on talent. Teams occasionally need to make a calculated bet to stay in the race, and this could be one of those moments.
The question isn’t just “Can Jack Flaherty fill Max Fried’s shoes?”—because, let’s face it, that’s a tall order. The real question is: Can he step up and keep this rotation competitive? The Braves don’t need a Fried clone; they need a solid, dependable arm who can give them a chance to win every fifth day.
This is a team that’s been right on the edge of greatness year after year. They’re close. And losing a top-tier pitcher like Fried doesn’t have to derail the whole train. With some smart moves and maybe a little luck on Flaherty’s health, Atlanta could stay right in the thick of the playoff chase.
While it’s tough to say goodbye to Fried, don’t lose hope just yet, Braves Country.
