Grading the work of Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves front office

Oct 25, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks in the dugout during workouts before Game 1 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks in the dugout during workouts before Game 1 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Anthopoulos.  Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Anthopoulos.  Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Overall

Anthopoulos has been so talented this year at two of a GM’s essential skills — dealing with his fellow GMs and navigating the free agent market — that his farm system shortcomings can readily be overlooked. While his report card is replete with ups and downs, the ups far outweigh the downs.

Here’s the first half report card on the Anthopoulos front office. Note that grades for players departing the organization are based on the reverse of those players’ WAAs with their new teams.

Mode                    WAA               Grade

Acquired              +1.9                     B

Traded                  -0.6                      C

Signed                  +4.1                     A

FA Lost                 +1.3                     D

Rookies                 -1.2                     D

Overall                  +4.1                    A

We may not find a better general manager at team-to-team acquisitions than Anthopoulos scores with his +1.9. Remember, the other GM probably knows what he’s doing, too. Yet Anthopoulos attracted nine fresh faces to the Braves roster from competitor GMs, and five of those nine produced positive value for the Braves against only two that went negative.

It was the same story when Anthopoulos went shopping for free agent talent. He signed, re-signed or extended eight of them, an uncanny seven of whom delivered positive results. The cost came in outgoing free agent talent — principally shortstop Dansby Swanson.

His rookie class, expected to be a strength, has been a disappointment. But that doesn’t overshadow the body of work Anthopoulos has presented since the end of the 2022 season.