2019 MLB Season: Rating the NL East General Managers
1. Alex Anthopoulos, Atlanta Braves, +7.7
Anthopoulos is one of only three general managers with positive ratings in all three categories measuring player arrivals: trades, free agent signings and callups…and his numbers are also the most consistent. He has improved the team by 2.8 WAA via his acquisitions, by 3.3 WAA through free agency, and by 1.1 WAA from the farm system.
The signing of free agent Josh Donaldson, which was no certain winner, stands out. Donaldson has produced 16 home runs, an .844 OPS and a 1.1 WAA. An eight-year extension for Ronald Acuna Jr., began paying off with his .292 average, 20 home runs, .879 OPS and 1.8 WAA.
Mike Soroka came up from the minors and has delivered a 9-1 record and 2.13 ERA for a +2.3 WAA. Max Fried, another rookie, has a 9-3 record in 17 starts and is closing in on +1.0 WAA.
The deal that brought Anthony Swarzak over from Seattle was subtle, but Swarzak has produced a 0.52 ERA in 17 appearances and a +0.8 WAA.
From start to finish, that’s the kind of season it has been for Anthopoulos. He has made 23 roster moves, two-thirds of which have netted positive WAA for the Braves to date. Other GMs can only dream about that kind of success rate…and it is only beginning to encompass the impact of Dallas Keuchel’s late-June signing. So there’s actually room for improvement.