All-Star’s Next Stop: Cubs’ Line-Up Get Boost With…
The Chicago Cubs missed the postseason in 2024 after having high expectations going into the year. They could look to spend big in free agency in hopes of reaching October in 2025.
While making predictions for the top 50 free agents, MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams, Darragh McDonald and Tim Dierkes predicted that Atlanta Braves starter Max Fried would sign with the Cubs.
“While he’s not the prototypical bat-missing ace who’ll regularly pile up strikeouts in droves, Fried has solid and consistent velocity from the left side, averaging either 93.9 mph or 94.0 mph on his four-seamer in each of the past four seasons, per Statcast,” wrote the staff. “His strikeout rate in that time is slightly above-average but not elite, at 23.7%. What has been elite is Fried’s command (combined 6.1% walk rate over the past four seasons) and his ability to pile up grounders. Fried has never posted a ground-ball rate lower than 51% — league-average in 2024 was 42.2% — and he peaked with an outstanding 58.8% this past season.”
Spotrac projects Fried to sign a six-year, $136 million deal in free agency. Fried has spent his entire career with the Braves. He is a two-time All-Star, with his second selection coming in 2024. He had a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts last season and struck out 166 on the season.
