News Report: Braves Superstar Told to Leave Atlanta for Potential $140M Red Sox Deal

News Report: Braves Superstar Told to Leave Atlanta for Potential $140M Red Sox Deal

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly preparing to open their wallets this offseason, and rumors are swirling that they might make a splash by signing a significant free agent. After several years of focusing on building up their farm system and avoiding big-money contracts, the Red Sox are now expected to make a move in the starting pitching market. One name that has come up frequently in trade and free-agent discussions is Max Fried, the ace left-hander for the Atlanta Braves.

Fried, who has spent his entire career with the Braves, is entering free agency and is projected to land a deal worth around $140 million. This has led to speculation that the Red Sox could look to sign the 30-year-old to solidify their pitching rotation, which has been one of the team’s most pressing concerns. Even after extending a $21 million qualifying offer to right-hander Nick Pivetta, the Red Sox still need to add a reliable arm to the top of their rotation.

Max Fried seems to be the perfect fit for Boston’s needs. Over his career, Fried has developed into one of the most consistent left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball. He has twice finished in the top five in NL Cy Young Award voting, cementing his place as one of the game’s elite pitchers. With a 73-36 record and a 3.07 lifetime ERA, Fried has proven himself to be a workhorse who performs well in high-pressure situations. He also brings significant postseason experience, having helped lead the Braves to a World Series title in 2021.

What makes Fried especially appealing to the Red Sox is his left-handed pitching, which has been a key area of need for the team. While the Red Sox already have right-handed pitchers like Chris Sale and Kutter Crawford, adding a southpaw like Fried would provide balance to their rotation. His ability to neutralize left-handed hitters would be a valuable asset in the competitive American League East.

Moreover, Fried’s price tag, expected to be just under $30 million annually, is seen as a relative bargain in today’s market for starting pitchers. While Red Sox owner John Henry has historically been hesitant to commit large sums to free-agent pitchers, the potential value of Fried at this price could be too good to pass up.

There’s also an interesting connection between Fried and the Red Sox. Fried was a high school teammate of Lucas Giolito, a right-handed pitcher for the Red Sox. Giolito has reportedly been encouraging his former teammate to consider joining Boston, which could influence Fried’s decision as he weighs his options.

With a rotation that needs reinforcements, Max Fried may be the exact piece the Red Sox need to get back into contention for a championship. It seems like a match made in baseball heaven—if the Red Sox are willing to meet his asking price.