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Atlanta Braves: Three Sneaky Good Moves by Alex Anthopoulos

Originally posted on FanNation Braves Today
By Jake Mastroianni | Last updated 1/11/24

Alex Anthopoulos has done a masterful job as GM for the Atlanta Braves, but some may not even realize just how great he's been at finding huge assets nobody was thinking about.

Certainly when one thinks about some of the best moves AA has made for the Atlanta Braves, most gravitate towards all of the extensions handed out to young studs.

Others think about the flurry of moves at the 2021 trade deadline that led to a World Series. His retooling of the bullpen at the 2019 trade deadline is underrated as well.

But I want to give you three moves you probably don't think of when looking back on AA's best moves.

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Tyler Matzek -- Most are aware of the great story of Tyler Matzek -- how the former first-round pick found himself out of professional baseball at the end of 2016, had a case of the yips, and was trying to hang on in Indy ball.

Then vice president of scouting, Dana Brown, pushed AA to sign the 28-year-old and he did, to a two-year minor league deal at the end of the 2019 season.

That move led to one of the greatest moments in franchise history in 2021.

Travis d'Arnaud -- Similar to Matzek, TDA was a former first-round pick who hadn't quite lived up to expectations. But for TDA it was more about health than anything.

After a solid run with the Rays to end 2019, AA took a chance on TDA for two years and $16 million. Not only did TDA catch every inning during their 2021 World Series run, but he's now perhaps the main leader in the clubhouse.

Orlando Arcia -- This seemed like a nothing trade at the time. AA sent a couple of relievers with good stuff but injury and command issues for Arcia, who was being pushed out in Milwaukee by the rise of Willy Adames.

Whatever your thoughts on Arcia, he's become a huge value for the Braves and someone else who is loved by his teammates.

There have been far more minor league contracts signed that didn't work out -- that's the nature of the business -- but he also took a chance on Dylan Lee and Jesse Chavez on minor league deals in 2021 after they were dropped for their former teams.

Those two have pitched some big innings for the Braves in recent years.

You can point to the Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies extensions, or the pivot to trade and extend Matt Olson, or the trades for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosation, and Jorge Soler and those are all amazing moves that AA and his staff have made.

But sometimes it's those moves on the margins that can make a big difference, and AA does a fantastic job in that regard as well.