MLB Rumors: Braves' Max Fried Could Be Trade Candidate After Sean Murphy Deal

Despite signing seemingly every one of their young stars to a long-term extension, the Atlanta Braves might have to trade Max Fried.

According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, there are rumors that Fried could be moved this winter, as it's unclear if the club will sign him to an extension.

The Braves acquired Sean Murphy from the Oakland A's in a three-team trade on Monday.

The Braves' payroll is the fifth highest in baseball. It's not clear if Murphy wants to sign an extension, but he's under team control through the next decade.

The Braves signed Matt Olson to an eight-year extension after acquiring him from the A's.

The extension was signed before he entered his second year. Murphy is expected to earn $3.3 million in the next five years.

Fried is expected to make $12.1 million next season and has two years of team control left. His value in a trade won't be higher because he won't be able to hit free agency until after 2024.

The Braves don't have anything to lose if they put out feelers to see what the market looks like for Fried. The very top tier of free-agent starting pitchers are no longer on the board.

Carlos Rodn had a 4.28 earned run average in five seasons, but he had a 2.67 earned run average in two years. He made at least 30 starts in one year for the first time in his career.

Fried is 13 months older than Rodn. Each of the last three seasons has seen the southpaw make at least 28 starts.

He finished in the top five in National League Cy Young voting in each of the last three seasons, including a second-place showing in 2022.