Braves two-time All-Star predicted to dump Atlanta in favor of Dodgers

Atlanta dealt with a plethora of injuries but the starting rotation actually is one of the biggest reasons why the Braves were able to earn a playoff spot. Chris Sale shined and very well could win the National League Cy Young Award. Max Fried earned his second All-Star nod and unsurprisingly looked good, and others stepped up even with Spencer Strided out.

Unfortunately, Fried could be on his way out of town, though. He is a free agent and is going to get a lot of money this winter.

The Braves can’t be fully ruled out now, but it seems more likely that he will end up signing elsewhere. MLB.com’s staff predicted that he will end up signing with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

“1. Dodgers (29 percent), 2. (Chicago Cubs) (21 percent), 3. (San Diego Padres) (13 percent),” MLB.com posted. “No pitcher has posted a better ERA over the past half-decade than Fried. His 2.81 ERA since 2020 leads all big league pitchers during that stretch.

“Fried first established himself as a true ace during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when he went 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA over 11 starts. He’s put up a 3.25 ERA or better in each of the four seasons since, including a 2.48 ERA in 2022 when he finished second in (National League) Cy Young Award voting. Fried will turn 31 in January, but he’s proven he can be a top-end starter for a contender.”