Braves star mentioned as rival NL club’s early free agent option.

Although they are in a wonderful place right now, the Atlanta Braves might not look the same in 2025. With one of baseball’s deepest teams, Atlanta has made playoff runs and won one World Series in recent years. Despite having one of the finest cores in baseball, the Braves will not be able to afford to keep everyone as they become more valuable. Ace Max Fried is one player who will be available as a free agency at the end of the season. With two All-standout selections and three Gold Gloves under his belt since making his major league debut in 2017, he has emerged as a true standout for the Braves.

In his “way-too-early” free agency rankings, Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report noted the San Francisco Giants as a potential landing location. He is expected to be a popular commodity on the open market. “Lefties who are talented but not always healthy can follow Carlos Rodón’s six-year, $162 million contract with the (New York Yankees) as an example, then OK. Rymer stated that Fried ought to aim for that. “The departure of Freddie Freeman serves as a cautionary tale for Atlanta supporters who may harbor unrealistic expectations of a reunion. Fried might be acquired by a number of conventionally questionable large spenders, including as the Yankees, Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.”

Fried is someone who the Braves may very well keep, and they would want to. However, if he were to depart Atlanta, it would be difficult to see him stay in the National League with the Giants as other teams would undoubtedly be interested.