The Atlanta Braves did not up to expectations in 2024. With several players entering free agency, they may aim to spend a large sum of money on upgrades.
While listing “perfect fits” for the best free agents, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly described the Braves as the ideal landing spot for Los Angeles Dodgers standout Jack Flaherty.
“As far as where Flaherty could land, the Braves—who could lose Fried and Charlie Morton in free agency and aren’t sure when Spencer Strider will be ready to return to the mound—make sense as they try to keep pace with the Phillies and Mets in a crowded NL East,” according to Kelly. “If everyone is healthy, a rotation with Flaherty, Strider, Chris Sale, Reynaldo López and Spencer Schwellenbach could be pretty special.”
Spotrac expects Flaherty will get a three-year, $63 million contract in free agency. The Dodgers acquired him at the trade deadline to help their injury-plagued rotation. However, the Dodgers will be getting healthy and may not see Flaherty as a $63 million arm.
Meanwhile, the Braves are at risk of losing Max Fried. Flaherty will be a cheaper option than Fried and might provide the Braves with a reliable arm to follow Chris Sale in the rotation.
“There is obviously an injury concern with Flaherty, who pitched a total of 299 innings from 2020 to 2023 following a breakout 2019 season. That’s why we expect him to sign a three-year, $60 million deal. Any longer would be too much of a risk given his health history.” Kelly wrote back. “However, the deal gives him the chance to opt out after 2026 and return to free agency if he chooses.”
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