5 starting pitchers the Cleveland Guardians should target in free agency

4. Max Fried - Atlanta Braves

One of the bigger names set to hit the free agent market and someone who could transform the pitching rotation of any team, Max Fried is going to garner plenty of attention from plenty of teams, provided they get the opportunity to do so, as Atlanta may be willing to do everything possible to prevent him from leaving.

Unlike the previous names on this list, signing Fried would take Cleveland far out of their comfort zone, and that could ultimately be a deal-breaker for the Guardians' decision-makers. The reality is that now is the time for this ballclub to operate beyond its normal financial limits.

Being able to reach the ALCS this season was an impressive accomplishment for this Guardians team, but now they should be setting their sights on loftier goals. For that to come to fruition, adding Fried and his 3.07 career ERA to their starting rotation would make that possible.

If the Guardians are unable to retain the services of one of Shane Bieber, Matthew Boyd, or Alex Cobb, they are going to need to find reinforcements behind Tanner Bibee. A combination of Fried and Bibee could be what they thought they were going to get out of BIbee and Bieber this season, and that could make a huge impact on their chances of remaining atop the AL Central.