Latest news with #AlexAnthopoulos
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Braves Get Trade Update From $100 Million Home Run Derby Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Atlanta Braves have found themselves at the middle of trade deadline speculation as their season slips off the rails. Amid some injury setbacks and offensive regression, the Braves hit the All-Star break with a 42-53 record that put them more than a dozen games back of the lead in the National League East division. As a result, contending teams are hoping to see the team trade away its competitive players and embark on a significant rebuild. But instead, the Braves seem set on a minor reset as they look to return to contention next season. "On paper, the Braves are a force to be reckoned with, assuming they can stay healthy," Robert Murray wrote for FanSided. "That has been their problem this season, and it's something to monitor ahead of the next campaign. However, there's little reason to punt on the future due to bad luck." ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18: Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos speaks to the media before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on July 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew... ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18: Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos speaks to the media before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on July 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./) More Grimes/Getty With hopes of turning things around in the near future, it's possible the Braves would look to add a piece or two who can contribute for years to come. But at least one potential trade candidate, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, has reportedly ruled out joining the Braves. "Meantime, Byron Buxton said he wouldn't consider waiving his no-trade anywhere, even for his hometown Braves," Jon Heyman reported for the New York Post. "'I'm a Twin,' said Buxton, who cited loyalty shown by the Twins organization and fans despite his extensive injury history." Even with those injuries, there might have been reason for the Braves to hope they could have landed Buxton this season. The Twins could be headed toward trading away their most intriguing players as the franchise is up for sale. And Buxton is enjoying a great campaign, with 21 homers already and a strong showing at the Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday. Buxton is in the fourth season of a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Twins, so he might have been a strong replacement for pending free agent Marcell Ozuna in the seasons to come. But apparently he won't approve a trade that sends him anywhere else. More MLB: Suspended Dodgers MVP Candidate Has Comeback Interest From 'Multiple Teams': Report
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shanks: Here's why Alex Anthopoulos, Atlanta Braves must be sellers at the trade deadline
Don't let the Braves weekend series win in St. Louis fool you. As they prepare to host the All-Star Game Tuesday night, they will be in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar position: practically out of the pennant race with two-plus months to go. The last thing general manager Alex Anthopoulos needs to do is to believe the last few games should give him hope. The hope more or less died when starter Spencer Schwellenbach went down for at least two months. That was the nail driven into the 2025 casket. Advertisement Even in a best-case scenario, with Schwellenbach and Chris Sale returning sometime in September, the Braves have to make it to then. With basically a three-man starting rotation (Spencer Strider, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder) right now, there's just no way. Plus, they still can't hit. And now, Austin Riley is down for a while with injury. Considering the luck of this year's team, luck that evidently carried over from last season, who knows how long Riley's strained right abdomen will take to heal. The rotation issues are what kill any hope, however. Starting Aaron Bummer twice to try and survive until something else comes along is not going to cut it. Bummer gave up six runs in his 4.2 innings as a starter, and he should never be allowed to be near a mound to start a game again. This was the time when four years ago, Anthopoulos still believed in that hope. The Braves were only one game under the .500 mark and only 4.5 games out of first place. He then pulled off six trades between the end of the All-Star Break and the trade deadline. Advertisement This year's team is too far gone to go down that road. Instead, Anthopoulos needs to listen to any and all offers. He's got to admit a harsh reality that his up-the-middle infield and outfield is, all of a sudden, in bad shape. He's got to admit trading a few of his players could reset the roster for 2026, and he's got to admit his team, his organization needs help. Most analysts still rank Atlanta's farm system as one of the five worst in the sport, so immediate help to fix what has broken is not really an option. Therefore, Anthopoulos needs to search for help elsewhere. Some may believe that Sean Murphy could be a logical replacement for Marcell Ozuna, who is soon to move on as the Atlanta designated hitter. Murphy is under contract for three more seasons and then a team option for 2029 – all at $15 million per season. But with Drake Baldwin establishing himself as a great long-term option at catcher, Anthopoulos needs to take advantage of Murphy's rehabilitated trade value and deal him away. Advertisement Sure, Murphy could replace Ozuna, and either he or Baldwin could be in the lineup every day next season. But Murphy is a really good catcher. Teams like San Diego and Tampa Bay have already been linked to Murphy, and a trade could bring Atlanta back an infield option for next season. Ozuna will only fetch a mid-level prospect, considering the struggles he's had the last two months. Raisel Iglesias, a pending free agent like Ozuna, will probably get a similar return. Relievers Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, Rafael Montero and Enyel de los Santos would not bring back much, but for a farm system ranked so low, every prospect could help. It's doubtful any team would want second baseman Ozzie Albies. Yes, he's fallen that far. And since Michael Harris II has shown no improvement, he needs to spend the latter part of the summer in Triple-A Gwinnett. Chris Sale is out until late August, but if his rib heals, he could be a huge piece for a team's rotation in the stretch drive. Anthopoulos has said he doesn't want to trade Sale since he's under contract for next season, but he's got to at least listen. Advertisement The Braves don't necessarily need a rebuild, but this is an opportunity for a reset. For the last couple of years, fans have wondered if this roster has too many nice players, and players who just don't show enough fire. The perception is the clubhouse is stale, too unemotional. Well, make a few trades and the organization could look at lot different going into next season. It will be hard for Anthopoulos to sell instead of buy. Remember, the Braves have been in the playoffs for each of his prior seven seasons as the general manager. But while injuries have been a storyline for the second season in a row, this team did start the season 0-7. That kind of showed weaknesses that Anthopoulos didn't admit to or recognize that contributed to the poor record. But now, Anthopoulos has a chance to make amends with this disaster of a season. He can get some new blood in this organization. He can acquire some new options that might become answers for next season. Like it or not, that's where this team is for now. Listen to The Bill Shanks Show weekdays on The SuperStations – 103.7 FM in Savannah and online at Email Bill at TheBillShanksShow@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Atlanta Braves must be sellers at MLB trade deadline
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves release ex-Yankees, Dodgers outfielder
The post Braves release ex-Yankees, Dodgers outfielder appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Atlanta Braves were thrust into desperation mode just days into the 2025 season, as big free-agent signing Jurickson Profar got hit with an 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension at the end of March. With Ronald Acuna Jr. recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee and Profar serving his punishment, general manager Alex Anthopoulos turned to Alex Verdugo. The veteran outfielder produced some clutch moments for the team, but this reclamation project did not turn out as hoped. Advertisement And now it has officially ended. Atlanta released Verdugo on Saturday after he cleared waivers, per The Athletic's David O'Brien. Offensive scuffles continue to hamper the 29-year-old, who was known as a capable contact hitter early in his MLB career. He posted a .239 batting average, .296 on-base percentage, .289 slugging percentage and .585 OPS in 56 games for the Braves. He did not hit a single home run in 197 at-bats. Alex Verdugo will try to get his mojo back after unsuccessful Braves stint It is hard to gauge Verdugo's market moving forward. He has now amassed scant production in the batter's box for a second consecutive year. Injuries could afford him an opportunity somewhere else, just as they did in Atlanta, but the 2014 second-round draft pick must quickly make an adjustment in his hitting approach if he ever wants to earn considerable playing time again. Verdugo was a plus-contributor with the Boston Red Sox from 2020-22 and was a borderline All-Star for them in 2023 before plunging into a massive slump at the end of the season. He is still young enough to spark a turnaround, so a couple of organizations should be willing to at least extend a minor-league contract offer. The Braves could not afford to wait out the experiment any further, however. Advertisement They have lost seven of their last nine and are now eight games out of a National League Wild Card position, trailing the Miami Marlins and only holding a slim advantage over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the July 31 trade deadline looming large, this franchise is at a crossroads. One can say the same about Alex Verdugo. Related: Why Ronald Acuña Jr.'s All-Star honor puts him in Joe DiMaggio company Related: Braves' Spencer Strider makes magic with between-the-legs pick vs. Orioles
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Braves GM addresses MLB rumors of Chris Sale trade, being sellers at trade deadline
The Atlanta Braves came into the season with aspirations of winning the NL East thanks to a core that included All-Star hitter Marcell Ozuna and starting pitcher Chris Sale. Now, both veteran talents have been the subject of MLB trade rumors for weeks amid the club's struggles. Speaking to reporters this week, Braves' general manager Alex Anthopoulos stated unequivocally that Sale will not be traded this season and the team isn't even giving the thought consideration. Advertisement Chris Sale stats (ESPN): 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 114 strikeouts in 89.2 innings pitched 'No, zero [chance]. I've seen the speculation. It's completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year. Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I'm going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and then you go back on them, you're a liar and you're done. No, zero [chance],' Anthopoulos said. 'I've seen the speculation. It's completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year. Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I'm going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and then you go back on them, you're a liar and you're done.' Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos on potentially trading Chris Sale (via Related: Latest Atlanta Braves rumors on how the team will approach trade deadline Entering play on June 1, Atlanta sat fourth in the NL East with a 27-30 record. While the club's run differential (+15) suggested they were better than their record, a 12-19 mark versus winning teams highlighted some of their issues. At its lowest point on June 8, Atlanta was 10 games below .500 with a +3 run differential. Chris Sale contract (Spotrac): $22 million salary in 2025, $18 million club option for 2026 The club now seems to be turning things around. Heading into MLB games today, the Braves have a 7-2 record in their last nine games and are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mets. While Atlanta is still 5.5 games back of the San Diego Padres for the NL's final wild card spot, it is an improvement. Related: Insider sheds light on Brian Snitker's future with the Atlanta Braves Unsurprisingly, Sale won't be available. He won the NL Cy Young Award last season and even at 36 years old, he's demonstrating that he remains one of the best pitchers in baseball. Atlanta's club option on him for the 2026 season is also a bargain, considering the going rate for front-line pitching. Advertisement The notable comment from the Braves' general manager is that Ozuna seemingly won't be traded. He seemed to be an option because he's on an expiring deal, but Atlanta's front office seems committed to giving this team the entire season to turn things around. Related Headlines
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves won't sell at trade deadline, with 1 possible exception
The post Braves won't sell at trade deadline, with 1 possible exception appeared first on ClutchPoints. After contending for the playoffs multiple times over the past few seasons, 2025 doesn't seem to be the Atlanta Braves' year. They are currently 13 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East, good enough for fourth place. They are nine games out of the last NL Wild Card spot. Injuries, inconsistency and other factors have caused the Braves' slide this season, yet it doesn't look like the team will be selling at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. In fact, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Sunday, the team might only trade one player: veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Advertisement 'No matter where Atlanta is are at the trade deadline, the team isn't expected to be a seller at the deadline – with the possible exception of DH Marcell Ozuna, who's a free agent after the season,' reported Nightengale during in Sunday column. Moving Ozuna would make sense, especially if president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker believe it can improve the team both now and in the future. Despite their performance this season, Nightengale has also reported that Snitker is expected to keep his job for the remainder of the season. If Anthopoulos and the Braves' brass decide to move Ozuna, would it also behoove them to start building towards 2026 and beyond? Can Braves right the ship and return to postseason once again? Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images It certainly looks as if the Mets have a strong grip on the NL East. Right behind them are the Philadelphia Phillies at three and a half game back. More surprisingly than the Braves' performance is the rise of the Washington Nationals, who currently occupy third in the division. Despite how this season has gone so far, there is a chance that the Braves right the ship and return to October. Advertisement They've been to the postseason in each of the last seven seasons under Snitker and Anthopoulos, including a World Series win in 2021. Ozuna has been a key part of the team since joining before the 2020 campaign, and his absence would be felt. However, he'd likely net a fair return, even on an expiring deal. Will an Atlanta retool begin with trading him away? Only Anthopoulos, Snitker and the rest of the team's leadership know how that could pan out moving forward. Related: Braves rumors: Is Brian Snitker on hot seat amid disappointing season? Related: Braves news hit a low not seen since 2017 with ugly loss to Giants
