Let’s unpack what just happened because the free-agent market is on fire. Braves fans, close your eyes for this one. Max Fried is officially a Yankee. And not just any Yankee. He’s an eight-year, $218 million Yankee. Yeah, that’s right. The largest contract ever handed to a left-handed starting pitcher. Now, before the outrage starts bubbling up, let’s be real. The Braves were never going to drop that kind of cash.
But this isn’t just about Atlanta waving goodbye to one of their aces. This is about a winter where teams are unloading absurd amounts of cash. The risk tolerance is at an all-time high. Throw money, and ask questions later. And sure, this approach will backfire for many teams — it always does. But here’s the kicker: if the Braves want to shore up their rotation, they might have to play this game, too.
Now, let’s talk about some of the other names swirling around in the free-agent whirlwind. These guys may not have Fried’s price tag, but if the Braves are looking to reload, some seriously interesting options are left on the board.
Roki Sasaki
Okay, Roki Sasaki is no ordinary free agent. The hype is real. He’s the latest Japanese sensation who’s ready to take the big leagues by storm. And here’s the fascinating twist: because teams can only offer him international bonus pool money, everyone is technically in play here.
The Dodgers are the favorites, but this isn’t a straight-up bidding war. Other factors could steer him away from L.A. Could the Braves make a surprise move? Never say never.
Jack Flaherty
Do you want a Fried replacement with a bit of symmetry? How about Jack Flaherty, Fried’s old high school teammate? Storylines aside, Flaherty had a strong comeback season. Between his time with the Tigers and his late-season stint with the Dodgers, he managed a solid 3.17 ERA over 28 starts.
He’s not going to demand Fried-level money, but he’s eyeing a nice 3-4 year payday. Flaherty’s a name to watch if the Braves want stability without breaking the bank.
Sean Manaea
How about Sean Manaea with a bounce back season? The guy just churned out a career-best 3.47 ERA over 32 starts for the Mets. Not too shabby. He’s a mid-rotation workhorse, but here’s the rub: everyone wants mid-rotation arms right now, and they’re coming at a premium. The Braves will have to decide if Manaea is worth splurging on or if the price tag sends them elsewhere.
Walker Buehler
Now, this one’s intriguing. Walker Buehler — the guy who went through injury woes, looked shaky but then went beast mode in the postseason. Clutch performances? Check. He even closed out Game 5 of the World Series. His market’s a wild card.
Teams could throw him a 2-3 year deal, but Buehler might gamble on a one-year prove-it contract. Rebuild value and cash in the next year. Sounds like a classic Alex Anthopoulos move, doesn’t it?
Nick Pivetta
Nick Pivetta is a gamble, plain and simple. The guy turned down a $21 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox. But hey, maybe he’s onto something. His raw stuff is filthy. The numbers don’t scream ace, but someone’s going to roll the dice and give him a multi-year deal. Could be a sleeper bargain. Will the Braves take the plunge? We’ll see.
Charlie Morton
And finally, there’s Charlie Morton. At this point, with free-agent prices skyrocketing, bringing Morton back on a one-year deal is looking more and more appealing. There is no long-term risk, a veteran presence, and solid production. Sometimes, the best moves are the simplest ones.
So, there you have it. The Braves have some serious choices to make. Do they sit tight or throw caution — and cash — to the wind? One thing’s for sure: this offseason isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
