Padres linked to All-Star, World Series champion pitcher in free agency

Max Fried received a qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves on Monday, but the veteran left-hander is likely looking forward to the larger offers expected in free agency.

Teams make a qualifying offer to ensure they receive draft pick compensation if the player signs elsewhere. The Braves offered Fried a one-year, $21.05 million contract and likely assumed he would turn it down before the Nov. 19 deadline at 1 p.m. PT.

Because the Braves exceeded the Competitive Balance Tax last season, they would receive a compensatory pick after the fourth round of the 2025 draft if Fried joins another team.

If Fried decides to sign elsewhere, would the San Diego Padres be a good fit for him?

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand believes this could be possible, as are the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.

“Fried is one of the few homegrown Braves who has never signed a long-term contract extension, which will send him to the free-agent market after his second All-Star campaign in three years,” Feinsand wrote. “The left-hander’s 3.25 ERA in 29 starts was actually his highest since 2019, but Fried – a three-time NL Gold Glove winner – is one of the best starters available this winter.”

In his recently released list of MLB’s top 45 free agents, Jim Bowden predicted Fried would get a six-year, $174 million contract. He identified the Mets, Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox as the “best fit teams” for the left-handed pitcher.

“The Mets are focused on starting pitching in free agency, managing to sign both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to long-term contracts while also bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso and more than half a billion in future ones “Saving salary obligations to sign the trio,” he wrote.

Fried was a crucial acquisition for the Braves during their extensive rebuild, helping them secure six consecutive National League East titles from 2018 to 2023 and reaching the postseason for a seventh straight season last season. He made his debut with Atlanta in August 2017 and set a career-high 17 wins in 2019.

Fried finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting in 2020 and ranked second after the 2022 season. Now 30 and a two-time All-Star, he has maintained a solid 2.80 ERA over the past three seasons, making 73 starts. This track record has made him one of the top pitchers on the free agent market.