The Los Angeles Dodgers are still basking in the glory that comes with winning the 2024 World Series. However, they have some roster holes to fill ahead of next season.
They’ve been linked to free agent shortstop Willy Adames and appear to be an obvious fit. But could president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman bypass the slugger in favor of landing two-time All-Star ace Max Fried?
Los Angeles has plenty of arms on its projected 2025 rotation. However, there aren’t many hurlers that come without questions regarding their health or performance. Combine that with Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler hitting free agency and it’s not a shock to see the Dodgers interested in available hurlers.
Fried would be an excellent addition to L.A.’s rotation based on his track record with the Atlanta Braves. The Santa Monica, CA native has consistently produced like an ace since debuting in 2017. He’s compiled a 73-36 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 863 strikeouts in 884 1/3 innings.
On paper, the Dodgers could use a starting shortstop. Adames would make the offense even better than it already is, but plenty of teams are interested in him. That could lead to a bidding war, which The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal said Los Angeles may not be willing to engage in. Would supplementing the top of the rotation with Fried be the club’s pivot?
That’s what Just Baseball’s Ryan Finkelstein is predicting will happen. He has the Philadelphia Phillies signing Adames to an eight-year, $192 million deal and the Dodgers committing $190 million to Fried over seven seasons.
“Whoever lands Fried is getting a pitcher who has a 3.07 career ERA, who has eclipsed 165 innings pitched four times in the last five full seasons since 2019,” he wrote. “If the Braves were going to keep Fried, it feels like they would have signed him to an extension by now. Assuming he does walk, going to the best team in baseball would be a great landing spot for Fried, who should get at least six years and could exceed $30 million per year in free agency.”
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