URGENT! SUCCESSFUL TRADE BETWEEN DODGERS AND BRAVES! DEAL CLOSED? [Los Angeles Dodgers News]

URGENT! SUCCESSFUL TRADE BETWEEN DODGERS AND BRAVES! DEAL CLOSED? [Los Angeles Dodgers News]

If you’re keeping an eye on baseball’s off-season moves, this is one story that’s sure to leave you curious. Last Saturday night, something intriguing happened in Los Angeles, and it’s raising eyebrows, especially for those following the behind-the-scenes action with the Dodgers. The scene? A dinner gathering with none other than Max Fried, the left-handed ace from the Atlanta Braves, alongside several key Dodgers players. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Miguel Rojas, and even his longtime friend Jack Flaherty were there. What were they talking about?

Now, you might be wondering: is this just a casual meetup between old friends, or could it be something more? Well, the speculation is running wild. Fried recently received a qualifying offer from the Braves, but like any top-tier athlete, he’s looking at what might be a more lucrative future. Plenty of teams are eyeing him, but the Dodgers have long been considered one of the top contenders when it comes to bolstering their pitching staff. This isn’t the first time they’ve shown interest in a pitcher of Fried’s caliber, widely regarded as one of the best arms available this off-season.

Fried has been a cornerstone of the Braves’ rotation since his debut in 2017, accumulating a string of impressive accomplishments. In 2019, he finished 5th in the Cy Young voting and came in 2nd place in 2022. He’s also been named to two All-Star Games and has posted a solid 2.80 ERA over his last three seasons—numbers that make him one of the most coveted pitchers for teams looking to strengthen their rotations for 2025.

But here’s the big question: will the Dodgers really make a play for this talented lefty? Rumors suggest there’s stiff competition for his services, with teams like the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets also in the hunt.

What’s particularly intriguing is one standout aspect of Fried’s game: his remarkable pitch control. He’s ranked in the 95th percentile for average exit velocity, all while generating an impressive 60% ground-ball rate. Sure, some argue that his innings totals aren’t as high as other top pitchers, but that doesn’t seem to faze those who recognize his incredible talent.

Still, the events of Saturday night are raising plenty of questions. Was this just a casual hangout among friends, or is something bigger brewing in the free-agent market? The situation certainly seems promising, but Dodgers fans might have to wait just a bit longer to find out if Fried will be the team’s next big signing for the 2025 season.

One thing’s for sure—when the Los Angeles Dodgers are involved, anything can happen. Stay tuned, because baseball is about to add another exciting chapter!