The MLB offseason is off to a hot start, with the Braves already swinging a significant trade within the first few days, sending Jorge Soler to the Angels. The move sets them up to save $32 million over the next two seasons, money that will allow Alex Anthopoulos more financial flexibility in free agency, which could potentially be used to retain the ace of their staff Max Fried.
The Braves are on the verge of potentially losing their third franchise cornerstone in four offseasons, with the conversation around Fried being more about where he’ll land rather than will the Braves retain him. Braves Country is used to it at this point, but what they might have a much more difficult time adjusting to is seeing Max Fried in the uniform of a division rival, which is what Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts will happen this offseason.Â
The Mets focus on starting pitching in free agency and manage to sign both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to long-term contracts while also bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso, dropping more than half a billion in future salary commitments to land the trio.
Unfortunately, this is the reality Braves fans could be facing in the very near future. Nobody, I mean nobody, is more prepared to spend this offseason than Steve Cohen and the New York Mets. They’re fresh off a surprise appearance in the NLCS, ripe with young talent, and have deeper pockets than the rest of the league. Cohen has been itching to throw money at marquee free agents for two years, and there’s a feeling around the league that he will refuse to be denied this winter.
The Mets will be at the forefront of the Juan Soto negotiations, which will headline the entire offseason, but I agree with Jim Bowden: New York is in dire need of starting pitchers, and I could see them signing multiple of the top arms this offseason, including Max Fried.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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