The Max Fried sweepstakes are coming to a close as the left-handed starter is expected to make a decision by Thursday. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays are the front-runners in the bidding war for Fried, with the Texas Rangers also in the mix. Corbin Burnes, the top free-agent right-handed starter, is generating interest from the same AL East teams as well as the San Francisco Giants and others.
Fried, a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves, is expected to sign a deal for five to six years. The 30-year-old’s future team will need to invest heavily to secure his services. The Yankees, in need of rotation help after missing out on Juan Soto, are aggressively pursuing Fried. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are also in the running, with both teams looking to make a big move this offseason.
Despite some concerns that Fried may prefer to sign with a team on the West Coast, the Giants and Angels are not among the final contenders for his signature. Fried, a California native, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Braves, posting a career 3.07 ERA in over 800 innings.
As the deadline for Fried’s decision approaches, MLB fans eagerly await the outcome of the bidding war for one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market. Stay tuned for updates on where Fried will land for the upcoming season.
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