Max Fried’s All-Star nomination exposes a major problem the Braves have yet to solve

At some point, we have to ask ourselves a very serious question: Can Max Fried hit? While we all know he can, the Atlanta Braves aren’t ready to make the All-Star starting pitcher a two-way player at this point in his career. It was announced Saturday that Fried will replace Ranger Suarez on the National League roster. While the move is well-deserved, it highlights an even bigger problem.

With just 15 days until the trade deadline, Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos has to address a Braves offensive lineup that is inconsistent at best. There’s not much he can do in the infield other than sideline Orlando Arcia, but he certainly won’t. Anthopoulos may not like it, but the idea of ​​Atlanta adding an outfielder is increasingly important.

This quote from Adam Duvall given to David O’Brien of The Athletic perfectly sums up the issue at hand.

“We looked like we had some momentum going into Arizona, and then we didn’t finish that series the way we wanted.”

To be fair, Duvall is part of the problem. His batting struggles this season have been well-documented. What has become increasingly clear to the Braves is that they need to make a splash to bolster their offense. Center fielder Michael Harris II is still out after injuring his hamstring earlier this month. Ronald Acuña Jr. is also out for the season with a torn ACL since Memorial Day weekend.

All indications are that the Braves should do something to improve their outfield, but only time will tell.

Heading into the final day before the All-Star break, Atlanta will send four of its players to Arlington for the Midsummer Classic. Fried joins fellow starting pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Chris Sale. The only other Braves player heading to Texas would be designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. No Acuña, no Harris, no Ozzie Albies, no Matt Olson, no Sean Murphy, no Austin Riley. Therein lies the problem…

Atlanta had a record-breaking season last year thanks to its offense. It was supposed to be this team’s strength. Instead, it’s the area that’s been most scrutinized this offseason. Atlanta is sending three starting pitchers to the All-Star Game, and Spencer Strider isn’t one of them, having been out since Week 2 of the season with a right ACL injury.

The good news for Braves country is that Anthopoulos is working quietly. Nothing comes out unless he wants it to. Over the last few years, he has worked to acquire the right kind of talent to help this team win games late in the season and into October. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. He may not make the trade you want, but he will make the trade Atlanta needs.

The Braves are still a playoff-caliber team, but they need to improve their offense to take over.