Braves Could Have Interesting Replacement Plan If They Lose Max Fried

With ace Max Fried hitting free agency, the Atlanta Braves face a tough decision this offseason. 

Fried’s eight-year tenure in Atlanta has been vital to the team’s success, but his anticipated salary demands may exceed the Braves' budget. 

If Fried departs, GM Alex Anthopoulos could look to fill the void with a more affordable option to keep financial flexibility for other roster needs. 

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery, currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has emerged as a possible replacement, with MLB insider Jim Bowden noting that Montgomery could offer Atlanta “a chance worth taking” as a lower-cost alternative.

That's an impressive strikeout from Jordan Montgomery.pic.twitter.com/sEJo0jTBd3

— Goosey_07 | 🦆 (@Goosey_07) October 16, 2023

Despite a challenging 2024 season where Montgomery posted a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings and struggled with control due to right knee inflammation, his advanced metrics show promise. 

Montgomery’s chase rate improved to 33.2%, and his barrel rate dropped to 6.0%, suggesting he can still induce weak contact and thrive in the right environment. 

Known for his strong postseason presence, particularly his standout ALCS performance with the Texas Rangers in 2023, Montgomery has demonstrated he can handle high-stakes games. 

“He depends on weak contact to get him through games,” Bowden remarked, which could make him a strong fit in Atlanta’s rotation alongside Chris Sale.

2024 PitchingNinja "3 Balls-1 Strike" Award. 🏆

Winner: Jordan Montgomery

[HP Ump Adam Hamari stayed in the game. 🙏] pic.twitter.com/eJAQz2pBkC

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 10, 2024

A potential trade for Montgomery would reportedly involve the Braves sending two minor-league prospects to Arizona, with the Diamondbacks possibly covering half of his $22.5 million salary. 

Arizona owner Ken Kendrick has openly criticized Montgomery’s performance, calling it “a terrible decision to have invested that money in a guy that performed as poorly as he did.” 

For Atlanta, however, Montgomery presents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity that would allow them to stay competitive while keeping their payroll in check if Fried ultimately signs elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images