The Atlanta Braves' starting rotation could look a little different in 2025.
Atlanta is going to have to make a tough decision involving star pitcher Max Fried. He will be a free agent this winter and is projected to receive a massive deal. If Atlanta opts for a cheaper option, one of the best players available could be two-time All-Star Nathan Eovaldi.
He will have the chance to opt out of his deal this winter and very likely will. Eovaldi now is 34 years old and and is in line to be paid more in free agency than in his current deal. Spotrac is projecting him to receive a deal worth two years and roughly $52 million.
Eovaldi would be a perfect target for Atlanta. He is a big-game pitcher who has had plenty of postseason success. He helped lead both the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers to World Series wins since 2018.
Atlanta is hoping to go back to being a contender in 2025. The Braves have had a down year in 2024, thanks in large part to injuries, but they should be healthy again in 2025. Adding someone like Eovaldi to the fold could help take them to another level if Fried were to leave.
At this point, it seems like he may end up being too expensive for Atlanta to keep around despite eight great years. Eovaldi will be significantly less expensive in free agency but wouldn't have a big drop-off in talent. Why not take a chance on him if they lose Fried?
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