Max Fried is feeling better after an injury-plagued 2023 season, and the Braves pitcher wants to focus solely on baseball rather than a probable free agent move next winter. “I feel like a lot of that is, like, out of my control right now,” Fried told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano and other reporters. “But the Braves handle things a certain way, and I understand that privacy and keeping things behind closed doors is the way things are done, so I’ll respect that. I enjoy my time here and am forward to start working with this group.We did not accomplish everything we planned to do last year, but I know that we
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It is unclear whether the Braves and Fried’s CAA representatives have had any further discussions since the two sides discussed an extension last spring, since Fried emphasized that the Braves like to keep transactional or contract news private. Atlanta is more aggressive than any other team when it comes to extending players, but the fact that Fried has reached so close to free agency may indicate that either side will be content to part ways next winter.
More from the NL East…
Stone Garrett’s season came to an end on August 23, when he fractured his left fibula and broke his left ankle while attempting to hit a home run off the right field wall at Yankee Stadium. The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden has an update on Garrett’s situation, noting that the outfielder is progressing as anticipated with his six-month recovery prediction and may be ready for the start of Spring Training, though both Garrett and the Nats will approach with care. Garrett discussed many facets of his rehabilitation journey, including some fascinating insights about the physical and mental hurdles that come with healing from such a catastrophic pair of injuries. Garrett, 28, has an impressive.271/.335/.477 batting average in 355 career games.
The Mets have made the bullpen corps a priority this winter, as seen by Adam Ottavino’s recent contract extension. According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Mets are still considering adding another reliever to the mix, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post adds that the club is particularly interested in left-handed bullpen relief, with Wandy Peralta among the names being considered. Peralta was first linked to the Mets earlier this month, and he is no stranger to the Big Apple, having pitched for the Yankees the previous three seasons. Brooks Raley is now the lone southpaw scheduled for a regular role in the Amazins’ bullpen, therefore
