Jeff Passan says signing Max Fried is the perfect transaction for this club

Max Fried’s free agency hasn’t developed much beyond interested parties, of which there are expected to be more than half of a dozen clubs inquiring about the Braves southpaw.

According to multiple reports, Fried is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Giants, Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles, but there are likely many others interested. Most of those same clubs are also rumored to be targeting Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, who is viewed as the prized jewel among this year’s crop of free agent pitchers.

However, Fried shouldn’t be considered a consolation prize for clubs that miss out on Burnes. Fried has been arguably the best lefty on the planet since 2019 and is going to make a fan base very happy wherever he signs.

To Jeff Passan of ESPN, the perfect place for him is Toronto, or at least, their perfect transaction is signing Max Fried in free agency, and it might just be the perfect place for Braves fans too.

Of course, if it’s not Atlanta, anywhere other than Los Angeles with the Dodgers, New York with the Mets, or Philadelphia with the Phillies should be viewed as a positive.

While I would argue that the Red Sox would be my ideal landing spot, if not for the Braves, the Blue Jays aren’t far behind. Boston is seemingly ready to jump back into the realm of spending gobs of cash and competing, and there are probably not three better fan bases in the sport than the Red Sox faithful.

Baltimore would be high on my list as well. The Orioles are fun; they are just beginning their championship window, and there is no rivalry with the Braves, but the Blue Jays check a lot of those boxes too.

One aspect I would be worried about is Toronto’s championship window. While the Orioles’ is just opening, one could argue that the Blue Jays’ window is closing and might already be closed. I’d hate for Max Fried to sign with a team that ends up being a doormat for the rest of the AL East over the next half-decade.

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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

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