The Braves’ offseason is well underway after the Jorge Soler trade, but there’s still plenty of work left to do. For most Atlanta fans, the biggest storyline centers on Max Fried’s free agency.

A homegrown talent, Fried is expected to explore the market, and if recent trends hold, fans might soon be bidding farewell to yet another franchise cornerstone. First, it was Freddie Freeman, then Dansby Swanson, and now, it seems Max Fried may be next.

Two main factors fuel the belief that Max Fried is likely on his way out. First and foremost, the Braves’ rotation is solid, poised to be among the best in baseball. With Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta’s pitching staff is in a strong position. Secondly, Fried’s potential contract demands may push his price into territory that GM Alex Anthopoulos has been hesitant to explore in free agency.

For Braves fans, it’s now just a question of how much losing Max Fried will hurt. The hope is that he signs with a team unlikely to impact Atlanta’s success—unless it’s for a potential reunion at the Fall Classic.

If it’s ESPN’s David Schoenfield’s world, Braves fans will love living it it. The MLB pundit believes the Texas Rangers are the best free agent fit for Fried’s services.

“The Rangers might not be the obvious destination, but Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney are free agents (assuming Eovaldi opts out of his $20 million option). Jon Gray is under contract for one more year and Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are health risks. Prospects Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are possible rotation options but given the age of some of the key offensive players — Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia — the Rangers should be all-in to win now before their stars get older.”

The Rangers are reportedly trying to get under the tax threshold this offseason, so a massive free agent deal for Max Fried doesn’t make a ton of sense. However, the other two “top” options from Schoenfield do make more sense — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Of course, the Red Sox haven’t been in that category the past few seasons, but they could use a top-of-the-rotation starter (and a lefty at that to go alongside all of their righties).

And the Dodgers? We have to throw them out there since apparently nothing is beyond their means. Plus, Fried is part of that Harvard-Westlake trio, so that would be a return home.”

Braves fans will hate most of Max Fried’s potential landing spots. The Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Yankees could all use a guy like Fried, and it would taste like vinegar seeing him end up in any of those cities.

Ideally, Fried signs with someone in the American League, so Braves fans can still appreciate his success from afar while it doesn’t impact their success from year to year.

—

Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire