The New York Mets went on an improbable run in the postseason. They reached the National League Championship Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets will have key decisions to make in free agency if they hope to make a deep run again in 2025.
While making offseason predictions, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicted that the Mets would sign Atlanta Braves starter Max Fried, among other free agents, in an offseason spending spree.
“The Mets focus on starting pitching in free agency and manage to sign both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to long-term contracts while also bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso, dropping more than half a billion in future salary commitments to land the trio,” predicted Bowden.
Spotrac projects Fried to sign a six-year, $136 million deal in free agency. Fried has spent his entire big-league career with the Braves. He is a two-time All-Star, including in 2024.
The Mets saw the Dodgers spend big last offseason, and it paid off in the best way. The Mets’ top priority will be keeping Pete Alonso around. However, adding Fried would completely alter their rotation. The Mets could be losing Sean Manaea in free agency. Taking Fried away from the Braves would be an instant upgrade while also hurting their division rival.
Fried pitched to a 3.25 ERA with 166 strikeouts in 2024. He made 29 starts in the last year of his contract. Fried along with Corbin Burnes would instantly give the Mets one of the best rotations in baseball.
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