Looking back at the Braves’ recent decisions, the question of whether they should have locked in Max Fried becomes increasingly relevant. Fried’s record-setting eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees marked him as the highest-paid left-handed starter ever.

The Braves knew he was talented, but did he warrant such a groundbreaking deal? At the time, Atlanta was banking on their promising young pitchers, like Spencer Schwellenbach, to rise to the occasion.

Unfortunately, Schwellenbach’s journey hit a snag with a fractured elbow last season, and subsequent surgery to address bone spurs has sidelined him indefinitely. He’s not alone in the injury woes department. Reynaldo Lopez has been plagued by fragility, and Hurston Waldrep is also on the IL with elbow issues, leaving the Braves’ rotation precariously thin.

Meanwhile, Fried has been a workhorse for the Yankees, logging a career-high 195 1/3 innings and maintaining his health. Atlanta could certainly use an arm like his right now.

The Braves’ rotation challenges have them reconsidering their decision to let Fried go. They still have Chris Sale, who they’re relying on heavily, and Spencer Strider appears to be back in action for the moment. However, with Joey Wentz out for the year and the back-end options like Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder offering little reassurance, the depth is concerning.

Atlanta continues to flirt with the idea of bringing in Lucas Giolito, but even if they secure him, the rotation’s depth remains a question mark. Last season’s injuries derailed their campaign, and the current outlook isn’t much brighter. Sale, despite his accolades, is now 37 and coming off an injury-plagued year, making his reliability a gamble.

Fried, on the other hand, posted an impressive 2.86 ERA last season, with his fastball velocity climbing to 95.8 mph, a notable increase from his Atlanta days. Retaining him would have fortified the Braves’ rotation and provided a safety net at the top.

While the financial commitment to Fried would have been significant, potentially problematic in the later years, the immediate benefits could have been substantial. The Braves are built to win now, and Fried’s presence alongside Sale could have significantly boosted their 2026 prospects. Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed.