The Atlanta Braves have shored up their pitching roster, avoiding arbitration by clinching one-year agreements with southpaws Max Fried and A.J. Minter. The official Braves announcement hit the wires yesterday, detailing Fried's $15 million deal and Minter's $6.22 million contract for the upcoming season.
In a season that saw him briefly sidelined, Fried managed to quickly bounce back, securing a 14-7 record with a sterling 2.48 ERA. It's no surprise the Braves were eager to fast-lock a deal for the 29-year-old ace, who also notched second in the NL Cy Young stakes, according to Atlantanewsfirst.com. Addressing his injury woes, Fried was sidelined due to a strained left forearm and had to deal again with a blister issue late in the season.
A.J. Minter, also 29, has proven to be a reliable reliever for the Braves, tallying 10 saves and pitching a solid 3.76 ERA in the last season. He's been the picture of durability, marking his second consecutive season with over 70 appearances, further padding his career ERA of 3.35 across seven seasons. With these signings, the Braves are playing it safe, ensuring no arbitration hearings would disrupt their pre-season momentum.
The one-year nature of these deals does leave the door open for Fried and Minter to potentially hit free agency at season's end. But for now, the Braves are looking to solidly continue their legacy of being a formidable contender in the league, aiming possibly to add a few more shiny trophies to their already impressive cabinet. As Atlantanewsfirst.com reports, the duo's tenure with the team thus far has been marked with notable achievements, which the Braves clearly hope to build upon in the upcoming season.
