Braves’ Alex Anthopoulos viewed as most likely ‘upset’ player at trade deadline

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. With less than 36 hours to go until the deadline, many fans are wondering if Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos will make a trade at the deadline.

The team has been linked to numerous players this season by numerous credible sources; the latest on the “hot stove” is that there is “communication” between the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves organizations, as reported on Brave SI on Sunday.

While the White Sox have some “big” names like Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr., some believe Anthopoulos wouldn’t be able to pull off such a trade. Fans should remember that the Atlanta GM has made some of the “gutsiest” and most unexpected moves since joining the club in 2017. Plus, there’s a good reason the team has already offered him two contract extensions to remain in Atlanta until 2031.

Regardless, he’s one of the best at what he does, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has a firm reminder for anyone wondering what the 2021 World Series-winning general manager has up his sleeve this season. He dubbed him the executive most likely to surprise at this year’s trade deadline.

“Come on, you really think he’s going to let season-ending injuries to reigning MVP Ronald Acuña and ace Spencer Strider ruin the season? You think he’s going to let a six-game losing streak, their longest since 2017, ruin the season. You think playing under .500 since late April is going to ruin the season,” Nightengale wrote on USA Today.

“So you really don’t know Anthopoulos.

“You can be confident he’ll do his job, just like he did in 2021 when he acquired four under-the-radar outfielders in July and, a few months later, celebrated a World Series title.” Nightengale wrote.

It’s true that even though the Braves’ World Series victory was only three years ago, some seem to forget all the things he did during his tenure that made it possible.

Anthopoulos has worked magic with lesser-known names than those he is associated with this year.

Three years ago, Atlanta was in a similar situation to this year: Not playing at its best and wondering if it had what it took to make a deep playoff run. It took just four roster moves to take the team from potential contender to World Series champion. The names in question:

Each of these names played a unique role in the 2021 title race, and the same could be true for whoever joins the team this year. Given the names Atlanta has been linked to, it won’t take much to turn things around other than healthy players late in the season and some adjustments in the outfield. As the deadline approaches, remember that they have a general manager who has already assembled a team to win it all with the odds stacked against him.

In 2024, a little health and the right bat can get Atlanta back to where it needs to be by the end of the season.