Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Max Fried holds no ill will toward Braves after losing arbitration case

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/17/23

Despite coming up on the short end in his most recent arbitration case with the Atlanta Braves, All-Star starting pitcher Max Fried holds no ill will toward his organization ahead of the 2023 season.

The arbitration process can sometimes be messy, but Fried seems content knowing he'll earn $13.5 million in 2023, only slightly below his $15 million asking price but nearly double his salary from last season.

"On my side, there's no anger or animosity or anything," Fried told reporters via FOX5's Justin Felder. "It's two sides, going at it and business, and it's kind of the way I see it."

"On my side, there's no anger or animosity or anything. It's two sides going at it. Business."
Here's #Braves ace Max Fried on seeing teammates get long-term extensions while he has not; then on losing salary arbitration case with Atlanta before this year pic.twitter.com/XxkGqy4q33
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) February 17, 2023

The 28-year-old hurlers' reaction comes as no surprise to former MLB executive David Samson. Earlier this month, appearing on the "Off-Air" podcast, Samson said that agents manufacture arbitration beef, adding that the Braves and Fried would be fine.

Fried will begin this season atop the Braves rotation as the unquestioned No. 1 starter. The 28-year-old is coming off his first All-Star nod, going 14-7 with a 2.48 ERA, while finishing second in the National League Cy Young voting. Since transitioning to a full-time starter role, Fried is 52-20 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.135 WHIP over 99 starts.

However, even with all his success, Fried has watched countless teammates sign lucrative, long-term deals to stay in Atlanta. The Braves have recently locked up the likes of Austin Riley (10 years, $212M), Matt Olson (eight years,$168M), Michael Harris (eight years, $72M), and fellow starter Spencer Strider (six years, $75M). Meanwhile, the 28-year-old ace seemingly gets passed over.

While many players might come away with hurt feelings, the ever-humble Fried has handled the situation with class.

"I couldn't be happier for them. They've worked really hard, and they've earned it, and they're extremely talented," Fried said. "I was going up, giving them hugs, and sitting in the press conferences. It's kind of life-changing money for people. So, it's being able to congratulate and support them. We're teammates at the end of the day."

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