Here's how much Braves ace Max Fried is projected to earn in new contract

Will the Atlanta Braves be able to keep ace Max Fried beyond the 2024 season?

At this point, it's unclear.

The Braves will have to make a tough decision as the two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner will enter free agency. He will be one of the top pitchers in free agency so there will be plenty of competition for his services.

Fried certainly is expected to be paid well and could receive a deal roughly between $140 million and $162 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams and Anthony Franco.

"Fried established himself in the Atlanta rotation by 2019," Adams and Franco said. "He has been a consistent top-of-the-rotation presence since then. Over the past five-plus years, the 30-year-old southpaw has a 3.09 ERA over 139 starts. Fried hasn’t been quite as effective in the postseason, but he’s one of the biggest reasons for the Braves’ recent run of success...

"The biggest concern with Fried is his recent injury history. A forearm strain cost him three months between May and August last summer. Fried spent a couple weeks on the injured list with ulnar neuritis coming out of the All-Star Break this season. He hasn’t pitched especially well since coming back, allowing a 5.26 ERA (albeit with a strong 27.7% strikeout rate) over his last 25 2/3 innings. It’s possible teams will have some trepidation about his arm health, but Fried has an argument for a deal in the Patrick Corbin ($140MM) or Carlos Rodón ($162MM) range if he finishes strong."

Atlanta certainly will have some tough decisions to make this winter.

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