The care actively seeking to bolster their pitching rotation following the departure of ace Max Fried, who recently signed a record-breaking contract with the New York Yankees.
In their quest to fill the void left by Fried, the Braves have been linked to several potential acquisitions. One notable name is right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty, a free agent formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals. Flaherty’s potential signing is intriguing, given his close friendship and shared high school history with Fried. However, concerns about Flaherty’s injury history may influence the Braves’ decision-making process.
Another potential target is Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres. Cease has emerged as a top rotational arm on the trade market, especially after the Padres signaled a willingness to trade valuable players. Acquiring Cease could provide the Braves with a formidable replacement for Fried, though it would likely require a significant trade package.
Additionally, the Braves have been linked to Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals. Gray, who has two years remaining on a $75 million deal, could offer the experience and stability the Braves seek in their rotation. However, the financial implications of acquiring Gray may pose challenges.
Internally, the Braves are evaluating their existing pitching staff. Reynaldo López, who signed a three-year, $26 million contract with the Braves in November 2023, secured the fifth rotation spot in 2024 and earned his first All-Star selection that year. His development could be pivotal in offsetting the loss of Fried.
The Braves are also anticipating the return of Spencer Strider, who was named the Opening Day starter in 2024 but missed the remainder of the season due to elbow surgery. A healthy Strider could significantly strengthen the rotation.
The departure of both Fried and veteran pitcher Charlie Morton, who signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, has created a substantial gap in the Braves’ pitching lineup. Morton and Fried combined for 59 starts and over 339 innings in the 2024 season, underscoring the need for the Braves to make strategic additions to their pitching staff.
In conclusion, the Atlanta Braves are exploring multiple avenues to reinforce their pitching rotation after the significant loss of Max Fried. Whether through external acquisitions like Flaherty, Cease, or Gray, or by relying on internal options such as López and Strider, the Braves are committed to assembling a competitive roster for the upcoming season
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