Blue Jays Acquire Elite Pitcher for $100 Million as He Cuts Ties with Former Team

Max Fried, the Atlanta Braves’ All-Star pitcher, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and the prospect of him leaving Atlanta for a new team is growing more likely. With projections estimating his next contract to be worth over $100 million, some experts suggest a range between $150 million to $175 million. Fried is expected to be the Braves’ top priority this offseason, but the real question is whether the Braves will be his top choice.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently listed Fried’s top 10 potential free-agent destinations, with the Toronto Blue Jays at the top of the list, ahead of teams like the Braves and New York Mets. According to Rymer, the Blue Jays are eyeing Fried as one of their big-ticket signings, signaling their commitment to bolstering their rotation. While Toronto’s strategy of focusing on run prevention has been a bit of a gamble in recent years, pairing Fried with a rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Yusei Kikuchi, and Chris Bassitt could give the Blue Jays one of the most formidable pitching staffs in the American League.

The Blue Jays have been active in the free-agent market and are even competing for star players like Juan Soto. If they fall short in those negotiations, adding Fried to their rotation could be a strong backup plan, helping solidify their position as serious contenders in the American League East. Toronto’s aggressive approach in the offseason suggests they will be making big moves, and Fried could be a key piece in their puzzle.