This is the nightmare scenario for the Braves, but one that can’t be ignored.
Every baseball fan that hasn’t been living under a rock has seen what the Dodgers have done this offseason.
After committing over a billion dollars this offseason to Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and others, LA has clearly pushed their chips in to try and become a dynasty for the next decade.
The argument for why the Dodgers could be a threat to sign Fried is a simple one: they are loaded, they are incredibly good, and they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas with the moves they have made.
Importantly, one of their biggest needs remains in their rotation even if Ohtani returns to form on the mound as Clayton Kershaw’s career is winding down (if he comes back at all) and Walker Buehler will also be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Combine that with Fried being a lefty which the Dodgers may covet and you have a pretty strong fit assuming the money continues to flow freely.
Aside from the fact that LA is a true contender for a title who also has a ton of money at their disposal, Fried is originally from the Los Angeles area which gives them the unique edge as being his hometown team. By itself, that may not matter much. However, if faced with an offer that could exceed the deals handed out to Carlos Rodon and Aaron Nola to join one of the league’s super teams, it certainly won’t hurt the Dodgers’ case that Max could also be close to friends and family and also reunite with former Brave Freddie Freeman. The only question is whether or not Fried’s health becomes a factor.
The Dodgers already have Ohtani who just had his second Tommy John surgery and Tyler Glasnow who has struggled to stay healthy in their rotation.
If Fried shows signs of breaking down in 2024, then LA could try to pivot to more proven durable options like Zack Wheeler and especially Gerrit Cole if he opts out.
However, if Fried pitches a full season and is healthy, the Dodgers are going to be a threat to sign him.
