Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Max Fried is the lone Braves player heading to salary arbitration, which reignites trade rumors. Which new trade destinations could be in play?
Given how things ended between the Atlanta Braves and both Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson, the alarm bells have already been sounded with southpaw ace Max Fried. Amid all the phenomenal extensions Alex Anthopoulos has handed out, Fried has not inked one. Granted, he’s not set to be an unrestricted free agent until after the 2024 season, but the signs don’t look good.
The latest problematic sign is the Braves and Fried heading towards another salary arbitration hearing, doing so for the second straight year.
For a team that has operated in a manner that is extremely team-friendly in terms of the extensions they’ve signed and deals that have been made, the fact that they are apart in talks with Fried — while agreeing with every other arbitration-eligible player — already doesn’t bode well for that new deal happening.
That, naturally, has led to Max Fried trade rumors and speculation. We know that many of the big-market teams would be ready to jump, but which new destinations would also make sense for the Braves to strike a deal with if they trade their ace?
Max Fried rumors: 3 new trade destinations for Braves ace with another arbitration hearing coming
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Boston Red Sox
An aging and changing Red Sox rotation could use an ace like Max Fried
There is reason for hope when it comes to the future of the Boston Red Sox rotation. The plan appears to be for both Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck (eventually) to be transitioned into starter roles and both have flashed well in limited opportunities to this point. Meanwhile, the team remains high on guys like Brayan Bello.
But heading into 2023, it’s hard for it to not feel like the rotation is in flux. Chris Sale has emerged as a potential trade candidate in his own right given his unreliability for Boston due to injuries. After Sale, the team is also relying on veterans with shaky recent track records such as Nick Pivetta, Corey Kluber and James Paxton.
While it would be great if Whitlock, Houck or Bello developed into a surefire ace for the Red Sox, that’s still not a guarantee. Fried has already established himself in that regard and he would provide Boston with a familiar look as a southpaw would be at the top of the rotation in the same manner as Sale was at his peak when he came over from Chicago.
Boston has a deep farm system right now with a ton of coveted prospects that could sway the Braves and replenish what has become a bit of a deficient aspect of the organization. It might not be the most obvious trade partner, but there’s no reason the Red Sox wouldn’t want or wouldn’t pursue Max Fried.