Max Fried, Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves have three more moves to make after extending Sean Murphy.
Sean Murphy’s rite of passage as a member of the Atlanta Braves is now complete. The 28-year-old received a six-year extension worth $73 million from his new ball club before even suiting up for them. The theme in Atlanta continues.
Goodwill toward their players has helped the Braves build a solid locker room culture. The word “team” perfectly describes them. It doesn’t always translate into the box score but can help. Young players aren’t worried about playing for a contract. They know the Braves like them, they really like them!
This isn’t the end of what the Braves should do before Opening Day. Three more obvious moves remain.
1. The Braves need to extend Max Fried, too
Earlier this month, there were some Max Fried rumors about the Braves ace possibly getting traded. It would be a stunner. He’s coming off of a runner-up Cy Young finish in a career lining up perfectly for a win some day.
Fried, also 28, is under team control for two more seasons. His free agency is creeping up quickly. The Braves should act even faster.
Fried’s asking price won’t go down over the next two seasons. Top talent pitchers are getting paid big bucks. He’ll be no exception. To secure him into his 30s and know they’ll have an arm they can rely on well into the latest Murphy extension would be a wise move on their behalf.
The Braves haven’t been shy about contract extensions. There has, however, been a little hesitation with pitchers. Only Spencer Strider, a rookie last season, has received one. Fried should be next. It’ll be a slightly different style than some of the others. He should end up costing them a little more. He’ll be worth it.