MLB Rumors: Max Fried, Braves Agree to $15M Contract for 2024, Avoid Arbitration

Max Fried and the Atlanta Braves settled at a $15 million salary for the 2024 season to avoid arbitration, according to FanSided's Robert Murray.

Fried's contract has him under team control for just the 2024 season, so he is scheduled to hit free agency next season if the two sides do not reach an extension before then.

Fried dealt with multiple injuries in 2023 and ended up making just 14 regular-season appearances with a 2.55 ERA.

The 29-year-old was an All-Star in 2022 with a 2.48 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 185.1 innings all while taking home the third Gold Glove of his career and finishing in second place in the Cy Young voting.

He also finished in the top five in the Cy Young voting during the shortened 2020 campaign when he went 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Sandwiched between those two impressive seasons was his 2021 one, which was arguably his most memorable considering it included a World Series title. He finished with a 3.04 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 165.2 innings.

Fried also pitched six shutout innings in Atlanta's clinching Game 6 win over the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic, which secured his spot in Braves history.

It is fair to be concerned with his durability given his 2023 campaign and the fact he has never pitched more than 185.1 innings. However, he has demonstrated nothing but steady consistency in terms of his performance and has shined on the sport's biggest stage.

With his salary for 2024 settled, Fried can now focus on the upcoming season before he potentially hits the open market.