Well, Atlanta Braves fans, it’s been a tough offseason. Three big-name free agents—Max Fried, A.J. Minter, and Charlie Morton—packed their bags and found new teams. Atlanta was left with serious questions heading into the new season.
Let’s be honest, some of these departures were expected. Others, however, they’re downright baffling.
The Expected Departure: Max Fried’s Big Payday
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Let’s start with Fried. The writing was on the wall for a while with him.
The Yankees threw an absolute truckload of cash at him in what ended up being an massive deal, and realistically, the Braves were never going to play in that financial ballpark.
Fried’s a fantastic pitcher, no doubt, but Atlanta has a well-documented approach to spending, and shelling out that kind of money just wasn’t in the cards.
A.J. Minter’s Move to the Mets
Then there’s Minter, who took a solid two-year, $22 million deal from the Mets. The interesting twist? His contract includes a player option after the first year—something the Braves notoriously avoid.
Minter clearly saw an opportunity to secure his future while keeping some flexibility, and he took it.
Again, Atlanta sticking to its principles might have cost them, but it’s hard to argue with a consistent approach.
Charlie Morton Leaves Without an Offer
But the real head-scratcher here? Charlie Morton. The veteran right-hander, affectionately known as “Uncle Chuck,” signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles. Reports from The Athletic suggest the Braves never even made him an offer.
That’s right, he didn’t even get a phone call apparently. A guy who’s been a rock in the rotation for four straight years, eating up innings and providing stability, didn’t even get a phone call.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for Braves fans who’ve grown accustomed to Morton’s steady presence.
Morton’s Contributions To the Braves
Morton seemed a little taken aback by the lack of interest, but he didn’t make a fuss in a typical professional fashion. “All I know is that nothing manifested with the Braves,” he said.
And when you look at his production—over 686 innings with a respectable 3.87 ERA in Atlanta—it’s fair to wonder why the Braves didn’t at least make an effort to keep him around.
His 2024 numbers dipped a bit, but that’s still the going rate for a reliable back-end starter.
What’s Next for the Braves Rotation?
It all raises a bigger question: What exactly is the plan for this Braves rotation?
Letting Morton walk without an offer feels like a gamble considering the team’s past injury struggles. But if there’s one thing fans have learned under GM Alex Anthopoulos, it’s that nothing is guaranteed.
Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a young star, the front office always seems to have a long-term vision in mind. Even if it’s not immediately clear to everyone else, this seems to be true.
So here we are with a revamped rotation and some lingering doubts. The Braves have bet on a younger, more flexible approach, but only time will tell if letting Morton and company walk was the right move.