Could Max Fried Join the Dodgers in 2025? One Former Brave Thinks It's Possible
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming into the 2024 season after one of the most dominant offseason in recent memory. On paper, they are head and shoulders above many MLB teams.
However, could the Dodgers still have more in story in the 2025 season?
After spending over $1 billion in free agency this offseason, no one would blame them for sitting out next offseason. However, there's tons of talent set to hit free agency next offseason, including All-Star and World Series champion pitcher Max Fried.
Nothing is out of the realm of possibility for the Dodgers, and former Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur wonders if Fried could end up donning Dodger blue in 2025. He appeared on Foul Territory and shared his curiosity with the viewers.
"You wonder if he's gonna be joining Glasnow and those guys out there in LA. He’s from there.”
Fried will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and could desire a return to his home city.
He will enter free agency at the age of 31, and if he puts on a great year, he could garner a ton of money. Money is not an issue for the Dodgers, but you wonder if they can poach him from Atlanta.
On top of that, the Dodgers will have their own dilemmas as their righty ace, Walker Buehler, will be a free agent after the 2024 season. Buehler will be another pitcher looking for a big season and, eventually, big money.
These two pitchers have shown they are among the best in the league when healthy. If the Dodgers have a real shot at Fried, it'll be interesting to see how Andrew Friedman and the front office maneuver next offseason.
Nonetheless, you cannot deny Fried's talent when he's on and healthy. In his last healthy season in 2022, he pitched in 30 games, collecting a 2.48 ERA, a 14-7 record, 170 strikeouts (the second-most of his career), and a 1.01 WHIP in a career-high 185.1 innings.
That's a problem for next offseason. But imagine a rotation of Fried, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Bobby Miller, and Tyler Glasnow. Hitters beware.