ATLANTA — It's not the proverbial start to the season for the Atlanta Braves, but multiple players said the annual Braves Fest at Twist Park heralds a new campaign. That could be a big problem for Max Fried. His future after the 2024 season is uncertain. The Braves avoided arbitration with Fried earlier this offseason by signing him to a one-year, $15 million contract. At this time, he is not receiving a long-term contract extension like many of his teammates, and it seems likely that he will become a free agent after the 2024 World Series.
Fried knows his contract situation will be a storyline as the Braves prepare to report to spring training, but he's focused on what he can control.
“I would say a lot of that is outside of my control right now. The Braves do things a certain way. I know that privacy and keeping it more behind closed doors is the way things are done. I respect that,'' Fried said when asked about the lack of a long-term contract. “I know I love being here. I'm really excited to get started with this group. We've brought in a lot of really talented guys. We're still here. We didn't accomplish what we wanted to do last year, but I know we're a really determined group. We're really excited to get started.”
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“I've spent most of my career with the Braves,” Fried added. “I spent a few years with the Padres and got traded to Tommy John when I was 20 years old, so looking back it's been about 10 years. That's really all I know. The organization has my back. It was just the fans and the city. [have] They really accepted me and I really love my time here. ”
Those who know Fried well know that he chooses his words carefully during interviews. Although he doesn't have the reputation of being as stoic as teammate Spencer Strider, Fried rarely shows much emotion.
“I don't think that's what he's thinking about,” Spencer Strider said when asked how he thought Fried would handle uncertainty. “I think he loves Atlanta and being in this clubhouse. For him, nothing has changed. He still shows up the same way he did in the past, year after year. Same house, same. Group. No, I don't think that's his immediate focus at all. I think his goal is the same as the rest of us, which is to come out and perform and win, so The grandmother will do as she pleases.”
Austin Riley is one of Fried's oldest teammates, having played several games together in the minors. Riley echoed Strider's sentiments, saying Freed is well prepared to deal with the noise as walking season approaches.
“He's obviously a very smart and intelligent person. I think his purpose is [for] He plays the game for the love of the game,” Riley said of Fried. “He's so passionate about this. I don't know if I know anyone who does more homework between each start than he does. He's open to negotiations just for that reason. I think [about] Free agency and all that. He's a level-headed guy who wants to win ball games. He thinks that alone will get him through. ”
Fried's teammates believe the situation will resolve itself, and it will anyway. The Braves have spent significant resources retaining most of their key players, but have grown despite key departures. Fried becomes the latest big name to enter a walk year without an extension, joining Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson. Still, Freed does his best to tune out the noise and focus on the present and the task at hand.
“It's important to live within the cliché of staying in the moment,” Freed said. “For me, this is something I've wanted to do since I was 3 years old. I used to run around the little baseball field watching my older brother play. I've been throwing balls ever since I could remember. When I'm out on the mound, playing, and being with my teammates, I'm my most genuine, authentic self. For me, there's nothing I love more than going out and competing. Baseball is It's an outlet for that for me. I love to play, I love baseball, I love to compete, so I tried to simplify it. If I focus on those things, other things will take care of me. It will all resolve itself.”
Fried is hoping to rebuild himself on the field after an injury-plagued 2023 season in which he started just 14 games. Fried injured his hamstring in Washington's opener and was placed on the 15-day injured list. He returned in early May with a torn forearm that kept him out for three months. He returned in August, but developed a blister on his finger in late September and returned to the IL to end the season. He returned to the starting lineup in the division series against the Phillies, but will be the first to admit he wasn't at his best.
If Fried becomes a free agent, he would be one of the biggest names on the market. While he and his teammates may be focused on getting the Braves back to the World Series, there's no big deal in a walk year, especially considering he didn't produce enough to make a big contribution in 2023. If he can put together a season, he could be in for a good payday next winter. Pitcher contract.
“I take pride in being able to take the ball and win ballgames. Last year, I was sitting here in Atlanta when the team was on the road, watching the team on TV like everyone else. That was really tough,” Freed said. “There's nothing better than competing and taking the ball every five days. I want to be able to do it every time it's my turn. We've been working hard this offseason. Really ready for spring. I'm itching to get started. I just want to get started, get back on the mound and get this thing back on track.”
Fried said he spent the offseason preparing physically. His forearm injury is always scary for a pitcher, but he's looked strong since returning in August and has no concerns about the quality of his pitching. He added that the blister issue is something he has dealt with throughout his professional career, but that Atlanta's training staff has it well under control. Overall, he said, he feels as strong heading into 2024 as he has at any point in his career thus far.
“I think it's mainly about getting in shape and getting healthy. I think I'm the healthiest I've ever been,” Freed said. “I had some health issues at the end of the year. Other than a few blisters and skin issues, I've always been strong and solid for as long as I can remember. As this year begins, I'm really excited and happy. The blisters are just a lingering addition to the treatments and everything else that George and the guys in the training room have put in place for me. I haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked this year. , I'm excited to start this year with a clean slate and start the year healthy and authentic.”
Fried has been instrumental in all six of Atlanta's consecutive NL East championships. He pitched six scoreless innings in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series. There were a lot of big moments along the way. He has seen a lot during his time in Atlanta. If so, he's trying to get to the top with players who are like family to him.
“When we got traded, we had a vision. It was to have a really high-quality group of guys that really focused on winning and could make that happen,” Fried said. “I get to continue playing with a lot of the guys I played with in A-ball in 2016 and the guys that were drafted around them. It's really great to be able to share with them and still be around them. It's special. Things like this don't happen very often because there's a lot of turnover and a lot of movement of players and teams. I'm grateful to be a part of this group and that we have a really solid core. . I have great support from those teammates, my new teammates, my family, everyone. If I make the most of that, I can get the most out of myself.”
