After last year’s billion-dollar spending spree for the Dodgers, there’s every indication that they’re ready to dip right back into the free-agent market. Here’s where it gets really interesting—the pitching market. While they could play it safe by bringing back some familiar faces like Walker Buehler or Jack Flaherty, they also have the resources to go after one of the premier starters available. Enter Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried.
One of the top three free-agent pitchers this offseason, alongside Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell, Fried is now a realistic target. He’s been on the Dodgers’ radar for years, but the Braves held onto him, never letting him get to the open market. Now, though, the Dodgers might finally have their shot.
Here’s what’s raising eyebrows: Fried was spotted cheering on his former Harvard-Westlake teammate, Jack Flaherty, in Game 1 of the World Series. A harmless show of support, sure—but then came the kicker. After the Dodgers’ World Series parade, Fried was seen out at dinner in LA with a few Dodgers players. Now, that may just be a casual gathering of old friends, but in the world of baseball free agency, such sightings often lead to speculation. And for Dodgers fans, that sighting hints at a deeper possibility: could Fried be considering making LA his new home?
If he does, it won’t come cheap. Fried is expected to command a six-year deal worth somewhere between $140 and $180 million. Sure, his 2023 season wasn’t as sharp as his best years (with a 3.25 ERA, his highest since 2019), but let’s not downplay his All-Star performance. He stayed relatively healthy, aside from a minor stint on the IL, and that durability, combined with his lefty advantage, makes him a highly desirable addition for any team looking to beef up their rotation.
The Dodgers have already hinted at going with a six-man rotation next season. With Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and recovering stars Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw already penciled in, adding Fried and Sasaki would round out a rotation. Of course, health remains a question mark. This setup may sound stacked, but it’s also injury-prone.
So, while Fried’s dinner in LA isn’t a contract signing, it’s enough to get the rumor mill spinning and set Braves fans off. Could Max Fried be making his way to LA? If the Dodgers get their way, it’s a possibility worth watching closely.
