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Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves are never ones to let news slip. They do not discuss ongoing negotiations, whether it be with players currently on the roster, free agents, or other teams attempting trade. It’s almost impossible to know when something is about to happen, and that’s how every organization should desire to be run.
However, that isn’t going to stop the media from asking Anthopoulos questions about Max Fried’s impending free agency. The ace of the Braves staff is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, which is once again a hot topic of discussion as Spring Training gets started.
“I wouldn’t announce it if we did,” Anthopoulos said, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com. “I’m confident that our guys know where they stand with us. Max certainly does. I saw his answers from Braves Fest. I thought they were great. That wasn’t me sitting down with him and saying, ‘Hey, let’s agree that we’re going to say this.’ That was just Max being Max being honest, you know?”
In a lot of ways, the Braves and Max Fried are a match made in heaven. He’s the ultimate competitor that has done nothing but do whatever it takes to help the team win since the Braves acquired him in a trade with the Padres, whether that’s come out of the bullpen or as a starting pitcher. Over the years, he’s blossomed into the team’s ace, but there’s nothing flashy about the way he goes about his business. He comes to work, soaks up information like a sponge, and then performs.
There’s nothing extra about him. There’s not a lot out there about his personal life, his answers are always that of a consummate professional; really, the only thing we do know about Max Fried is how much of a competitor he is on the mound.
That’s why when the answers of Fried and Anthopoulos are almost mirror images of each other it should almost be expected.
“This is all I really know,” said Fried, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com. “This organization has been nothing but supportive to me. I know the fans and city have really embraced me. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
Fried’s time with the Braves organization has rubbed off on him in more ways than one. Unfortunately, that’s typically not enough to convince a young man from Southern California to hang around at a discount. Money talks, and if the Braves want to keep their rotation intact, they must open up the checkbook in a way they have yet to do under Alex Anthopoulos in free agency.
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Highly anticipated Chicago Cubs game cancelled
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Steelers lose their third free agent of the week to same team following departure of once-promising trade acquisition
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Mike Williams from the New York Jets at the 2024 trade deadline. The move provided immediate dividends, as the Steelers won a game against the Washington Commanders thanks to a catch from Mike Williams in his first career game with the Steelers. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of his time in Pittsburgh ,and now he's headed back to where it all started... Chargers sign third former Steeler of the Week, WR Mike Williams "BREAKING: The Chargers are signing WR Mike Williams to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M as he returns to Los Angeles — where he spent the first seven years of his career, sources tell NFL on FOX. Williams is back catching passes from Justin Herbert." - Jordan Schultz, Fox Sports In case you missed the first two, Donte Jackson and Najee Harris headed to the West Coast earlier in the week. Jackson will be a bit of an acquired taste in Los Angeles and for HC Jim Harbaugh. After receiving him in a trade that sent Diontae Jackson packing, many were skeptical of trading for an often-injured corner who is smaller and slighter than what the Steelers normally covet. Najee Harris averaged less than four yards per carry during his time with the Steelers, and he never had that second gear that Pittsburgh saw at Alabama. However, Harris also never played with a good offensive line and was asked to be the bell cow for an offense that changed running schemes multiple times. And still, he reached over 1,000 yards and five-plus rushing TDs every year in Pittsburgh, all the while not missing a start, much less a game. Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh has a type at RB, and Najee Harris fits that type. A road grader with a ton of durability and power, he’s exactly what the Chargers want their lead back to look like. So it’s a move that brings Najee Harris back to his home state of California and brings the Los Angeles Chargers closer to being the offense they want to be: A smashmouth team that throws off play action. As for Mike Williams, the familiarity with the Chargers and the fact that the team still has a need at the WR position made this move easy to see coming.
Mekhi Becton agrees to two-year deal with Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers went out to get one of the more talented offensive linemen prospects in this free agency cycle. They went out and landed behemoth guard Mekhi Becton. He agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers franchise on Friday evening, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. He shined this year for the Philadelphia Eagles and managed to stay healthy during the 2024-2025 campaign. Becton plans on playing guard with the Chargers, the same position he played this year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
NHL insider reveals young star traded to Buffalo was 'devastated' in debut
Josh Norris had made a home in the NHL in Ottawa, and after the trade to Buffalo, he was unsurprisingly devastated by the change in circumstances, with a major insider revealing how sorry he felt for the 25-year old star. The Ottawa Senators made some big moves at the trade deadline, but none were bigger than giving up franchise mainstay Josh Norris in a deal that saw them acquire Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres. Since arriving in Ottawa, Cozens had been thriving, showing how happy he is to finally be off the struggling Sabres, but unfortunately on the other side of the coin, Norris was devastated by the move. That comment comes from Elliotte Friedman, who pointed out the obvious as he watched Norris make his debut for the Sabres, as he went from a Stanley Cup Playoffs race to a team that has the longest drought in the NHL, stretching back 14 years. In three games thus far, Norris has tallied a goal and an assist, but given the change in scenery which made Brady Tkachuk immensely emotional after spending six seasons in Ottawa, it's easy to see why he's frustrated and upset about his change in scenery. Ultimately, the Sabres are now likely to keep Norris as a key piece of their future, and with another five years left on his current deal with a $7.95 million cap hit every season. While he's got plenty of talent and could be great for Buffalo, it's hard not to feel sorry for him after all he gave to Ottawa through an injury-riddled run with the team.
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