Is losing Max Fried already a guarantee for the Atlanta Braves? And if so, how will they replace him?
Fried has been one of Major League Baseball's most consistent pitchers of the past six seasons, and he's done it all in a Braves uniform. But while most of Atlanta's young stars signed long-term contracts, Fried was never able to work out an extension to stay a Brave beyond his rookie deal.
Now, that rookie deal has come to a close, and Fried is one of the top free agents on this year's market. He expects to command a nine-figure deal, and the Braves, who have plenty of starters already under team control, don't seem to be too willing to give him that kind of money.