Braves signings: What the hiring of Alex Anthopoulos means
The Braves got their man, but what does it all mean?
Atlanta Braves fans, stand and rejoice. Breathe deep and thank your respective deities of choice.
If Greek Gods are your thing, you just hit the jackpot.
Braves Country’s first positive offseason news was made official on Monday. Alex Anthopoulos, Sporting News’ 2015 Executive of the Year, is getting an office at SunTrust Park. He will serve as the Braves’ Executive Vice President and General Manager.
John Coppolella has been replaced by an executive who might possibly be a better fit to finish off the rebuild he started. After exactly six weeks of uncertainty and anxiety, the Braves front office just extended an olive branch to their fans.
On paper, Anthopoulos and Coppolella are eerily similar.
Like Coppy, he drafts well. Among players drafted under AA’s watch: Aaron Sanchez, Noah Syndergaard, Anthony Desclafani, Joe Musgrove, Kevin Pillar (32nd round), Marcus Stroman, and Jeff Hoffman. Players whom Toronto drafted but did not sign include Kris Bryant, Aaron Nola, Tyler Beede, and current Brave Drew Lubauger. Brady Singer, a top prospect for the 2018 draft, also falls into this category.
Like Coppy, he trades creatively. In the winter of 2012, he pulled off multiple trades that might as well have been executed with the “Force Trade” option activated, for their volume alone. In the summer of 2015, he initiated a strong push for the World Series that resulted in the acquisition of Troy Tulowitzki and David Price.
Also like Coppy, his trades are generally well-received although he bricked on a few early in his tenure. The Roy Halladay (RIP Doc) trade wound up being for peanuts. The big-time deadline moves he made in 2015 resulted in a deep ALCS run, but it didn’t turn into a World Series win.
He has taken some flak for trading Noah Syndergaard, who was the MLB Pipeline’s 83rd ranked prospect at the time, but it was a “win-now” move that looks considerably worse as revisionist history. For context, the Braves current farm system has seven players ranked higher than 83rd (according to MLB Pipeline).
OK, so the Braves got their man. But what does it all mean?
Prospect Trades
As the Braves’ rebuild enters Year Four, the playoffs are finally within striking distance. There are obvious holes to fill, but with a continued infiltration and evolution of top prospects, along with a few savvy moves, a bid for the 2018 Wild Card is very possible.
Based on his track record, Anthopoulos could be looking to fast-track the final two years on the rebuild.
Some of the prospect capital which erstwhile GM John Coppolella hoarded like Pokemon could eventually be on their way out. Were Coppy still in the front office, these were moves he would have likely made regardless. However, AA is known for success when shooting the moon, so even Coppolella might at some point find himself saying, “How did pull that deal off??”
The Braves offer a level of depth Anthopoulos has never been able to work with.
Will Mike Soroka and friends become Blue Jays in a deal for Marcus Stroman? Will Kolby Allard & Co. find their way to Tampa while Chris Archer comes to Sun Trust Park? Is Austin Riley’s future in doubt if the Braves acquire a third baseman? Interesting, and suddenly somewhat plausible, scenarios.
How soon might these trades happen? There will more than likely no blockbusters this offseason while AA familiarizes himself with the Braves’ ludicrous prospect depth. But if the Braves are close to contention near the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline, you can likely expect a flurry of activity.
Free Agency
Will the Braves be big players in 2018 free agency? Count on it.
Anthopoulos did not rely on free agent signings to build rosters as much as he relied on player development and trades. That said, the 2018 free agent class is one for the ages. Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and AA’s former third baseman Josh Donaldson are just a few of the marquee names who will be seeking new contracts.
Free Agency
Will the Braves be big players in 2018 free agency? Count on it.
The free agent class will come at a time where youngsters such a Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies, and Luiz Gohara will be pre-arbitration and working for pennies. Payroll flexibility, increased revenues from SunTrust Park, and an aggressive GM? The potential for a big splash is there.
Increased analytics
Anthopoulos is a clear departure from the much-maligned “Braves Way.” The Braves’ internal tug-of-war between traditional scouting vs. new-age dependence on analytics has been a divisive point in the front office. The willingness to bring on AA in the Executive Vice President / GM role, and to provide him with the autonomy necessary to build his team, implies the Braves’ acceptance of the analytical mindset.
There will be a shift from the old school methodology which has permeated in the team in recent years. No longer will the Braves fall behind the analytical curve. The old “Braves Way” is evaporating, and a newer, more forward-thinking way is forming in its place.
This increased focus on analytics means AA will employ different methodologies in player valuation. There will be prioritization of different skill sets. The lines of thinking behind Braves roster construction is about to shift, and rightfully so.
AA is more analytically-driven than Coppolella, which will jive with the addition of analytically-driven Walt Weiss as bench coach. Weiss could be a manager-in-waiting.
The Braves’ impending penalties will be damaging, but there may be no organization better equipped to handle such punishment. A brain-trust of AA and scouting director Brian Bridges has the potential to be an all-time pairing, even with any sanctions that are levied against the team.
Adieu, Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp’s presence on Braves the roster will (probably) be short-lived. As noted by everyone everywhere, his anvil of a contract is not doing the Braves any favors. As his hamstrings have deteriorated, his resulting play has also grown suspect. With the need to clear room for Ronald Acuña, something’s got to give in the outfield.
During Monday’s press conference, Anthopoulos mentioned he will have “necessary resources” at his disposal. One implication of this is the financial backing to improve the roster. AA having a bit of money to play with could result in a pink slip for Kemp. The acquisition of Kemp was an effort to cleanse the stain of the Hector Olivera trade. AA could simply opt to cut ties and end the experiment.
The odds of a Vernon Wells-esque salary dump trade are low. Then again, AA could wave his magic wand again to extract value from Kemp’s contract.
Either way, the next time Braves fans see Kemp, he could be on an opposing team.
Sustained results
When the rebuild began, Coppolella proposed the idea of “walking parallel paths,” essentially attempting to stock the farm system and put a competitive product on the field. This proved to be folly, as the only first half of this idea bore fruit.
Despite a long road back to contention, the Braves competitive window is finally opening. Coppy liked referred to the Braves farm system as “waves,” and the first wave is crashing into the shore. The subsequent waves are strong enough to withstand any punishment levied by MLB.
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Anthopoulos has proven his aptitude for building a winner, as well as the willingness to aggressively do so. The idea of walking parallel paths could prove to be a true possibility. He is not afraid to break some eggs if he feels he can make the best omelet.
The future was already bright. With Alex Anthopoulos at the helm, it’s downright blinding.