In recent seasons, Alex Anthopoulos has given out numerous contract extensions – to Austin Riley, Spencer Strider and others. Around baseball, Anthopoulos and the Braves are known, in part, for how they’ve built their core by signing players to long-term deals.
It was time someone gave Anthopoulos an extension of his own.
The Braves on Friday announced they extended Anthopoulos, their president of baseball operations and general manager, through the 2031 season.
“Alex and I have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship, and I look forward to that continuing for many years to come,” Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk said in a statement. “I have been around this game a very long time and know that Alex’s track record of success is truly something special. There is simply no one better in the business. This extension gives Alex the runway to make long-term decisions and the opportunity to continue his track record of assembling teams that are perennial contenders. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to deliver championship baseball for our fans well into the future.”
In a statement, Anthopoulos said: “I’d like to thank Terry for his continued support and trust. The Braves are an incredible organization to be a part of, and I’m proud of the success we’ve achieved together. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead baseball operations and to strive to bring another World Series to Atlanta.”
Anthopoulos, the main architect of this Braves roster, has won six National League East titles in a row since taking the job as the organization’s top decision-maker. He brought a World Series back to Atlanta in 2021, and the club is set up to be a perennial contender.
Under Anthopoulos, 46, the Braves have a 515-354 record. Their 515 wins under Anthopoulos are the third-most victories in baseball since 2018, and their 24 postseason wins in that span also rank third in the sport. In each of the past two seasons, Anthopoulos has finished second for MLB’s Executive of the Year Award.
“A very well-deserved extension,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said to the AJC in a text message. “Alex is the best in the business. He allows us to do our jobs, doesn’t micromanage and has a great feel for the inner workings of a team.”
Anthopoulos’ previous contract ran through the 2024 season, but there never seemed to be any real chance that he could depart. Last year, Anthopoulos said on the Braves Report, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution podcast, that he wanted to be in Atlanta for a long time. Two years ago, McGuirk told the AJC that he expected Anthopoulos to be in the job for a long time.
The Braves have made many moves this offseason. Some have been significant.
But none bigger or more impactful than extending Anthopoulos, who is widely regarded as one of baseball’s top executives.
And in true Anthopoulos fashion, the announcement was a low-key affair. The organization sent a press release, but didn’t hold a press conference of any sort. Something to know about Anthopoulos: He doesn’t want all the attention. He understands he’s in the public light, but he only wants to do his job and win.
“It should be obvious to everyone that follows the Braves that Alex is committed to winning,” Strider said. “Even when the outlook isn’t great, he never surrenders and is never afraid to make the tough decisions or take risks. He’s always trying to understand and learn how the organization can improve. He always chooses to believe the best in his players and staff, and that confidence and support is crucial from a leadership position.”
When Anthopoulos arrived in Atlanta in 2017, the Braves were coming off four consecutive losing seasons. And Anthopoulos’ predecessor, John Coppolella, was given a lifetime ban from baseball (he since has been reinstated) for circumventing the international signing rules. The Braves were, in a way, a mess, even if they had promising players in their system.
In the fall of 2017, McGuirk was searching for someone to lead baseball operations.
This much has been clear for quite some time: McGuirk nailed the hire.
Anthopoulos has turned the Braves into a powerhouse. He has blended talent and sustainability, which is difficult to do. Not only do the Braves boast what might be baseball’s best roster, but because Anthopoulos has extended many of their key players, their run probably won’t end anytime soon.
One key component about the Braves’ success: McGuirk and Anthopoulos have a great relationship. They’ve publicly lauded one another in interviews. McGuirk often raves about the job Anthopoulos has done, and Anthopoulos always expresses gratitude for the support McGuirk has given him.
In his run with the Braves, Anthopoulos has given long-term extensions to homegrown players Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Riley and Strider. He acquired Matt Olson and Sean Murphy – a year apart from one another – and extended both of them.
Anthopoulos is known as a tireless worker. He knows what he wants, and goes after it. If he is working hard on something, he might not sleep much. And through it all, he possesses a heartwarming humility not always seen in those who hold jobs like his.
Before joining the Braves, Anthopoulos was the Dodgers’ vice president of baseball operations. And before that stop, Anthopoulos – a Montreal native – spent six seasons as the Blue Jays’ general manager before. In 2015, he won the American League East to end Toronto’s 22-year drought.
In 2000, Anthopoulos began his baseball career as a media relations intern with the Montreal Expos. He soon worked in international scouting. He eventually became Montreal’s coordinator for amateur and professional scouting during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In 2003, the Expos made him the scouting supervisor for Canada.
This is when he went to Toronto, where he started as a scouting director. In 2006, the organization promoted him to vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager. In 2009, he became the club’s general manager.
Since then, Anthopoulos has grown to be one of the sport’s top decision-makers. He’s an elite evaluator and a creative thinker. He always carries out his plan with effectiveness. His front office is collaborative, and he’s open to ideas from everyone. When he signs or trades for players, or hires staffers, he does so with an eye on making the organization a positive environment.
After the Braves hired Anthopoulos, they overachieved in 2018 and won the NL East. Then they did it again.
In February 2020, the Braves announced they extended Anthopoulos through the 2024 season.
This time, they extended him into the next decade, which should tell you all you need to know about how the sides feel about one another and how successful their partnership has been to this point.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
