Alex Anthopoulos Explained

Alex Anthopoulos
Position:General manager
Team:Atlanta Braves
Birth Date:May 25, 1977
Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Teams:As general manager
Highlights:

Alex Anthopoulos (born May 25, 1977)[1] is a Canadian professional baseball executive, currently working as the general manager and president of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves. He was the senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2010 to 2015, for whom he began as a scouting coordinator in 2003. Prior to the Blue Jays, Anthopoulos got his start in professional baseball with the Montreal Expos organization in 2000.[2] In 2015, he was named the Sporting News Executive of the Year after the Blue Jays advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1993, reaching the American League Championship Series (ALCS). However, his term with the Blue Jays ended on October 29, 2015, when he declined a five-year contract extension.[3] He served for two years as vice president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[4]

Career

Montreal Expos (2000–2003)

In 2000, Anthopoulos was hired by the Montreal Expos as an unpaid intern, and worked sorting players' fan mail.[5] After working in the mail room he would sit with the scouts at games and take notes, and was eventually moved to a scouting internship in Florida.[5] In 2002, he was promoted to the Expos' scouting coordinator. He would leave the team at the end of the 2003 season, while working as the assistant scouting director.[5]

Toronto Blue Jays (2003–2015)

Anthopoulos joined the Toronto Blue Jays in late 2003, as their scouting coordinator.[5] After the 2005 season, he was promoted to assistant general manager (AGM) under J. P. Ricciardi.[6] While he was serving as AGM, the Blue Jays acquired José Bautista[7] and Edwin Encarnación,[8] each of whom unexpectedly experienced a career renaissance, establishing new levels of production and consistency that were key components of the Blue Jays' offense during Anthopoulos' time as GM. Bautista was the MLB home run leader from 201011, and, in each year from 2010 to 2015, was an All-Star and hit at least 27 home runs.[9] Encarnacion hit at least 34 home runs each year from 2012 to 2015.[10]

General Manager of Blue Jays

Anthopoulos became the Blue Jays' general manager in October 2009, after Ricciardi was fired.[11] He began his tenure as the general manager by playing a major role in one of the biggest trades in Blue Jays history, "The Doc Deal". In the deal, Anthopoulos traded Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies for Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, and Travis d'Arnaud.[12]

Anthopoulos was also instrumental in doubling the size of the Blue Jays' scouting department, growing it to 54 scouts in various positions.[13] The 2010 draft, the first with Anthopoulos in charge, resulted in a highly successful draft with a number of players picked eventually enjoying significant playing careers in the majors, including Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard.

The Jays' first season with Anthopoulos at the helm resulted in an 85–77 record, good for fourth place in the American League (AL) East division. The club hit a franchise-record 257 home runs, the third-highest single-season total by any club in Major League history.[14]

In January 2011, Anthopoulos completed a blockbuster trade by shipping another long-time face of the Blue Jays franchise, Vernon Wells, and the remaining US$86 million over the next four years to the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.[15] He then sent Napoli to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Frank Francisco,[16] and later traded Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[17]

In July 2011, Anthopoulos made two successive trades to acquire center fielder Colby Rasmus from the St. Louis Cardinals. In the first, the Blue Jays traded pitching prospect Zach Stewart and reliever Jason Frasor to the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and infielder Mark Teahen.[18] Jackson was then traded with outfielder Corey Patterson, and relief pitchers Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel to the Cardinals for Rasmus and relief pitchers Brian Tallet, P.J. Walters and Trever Miller.[19]

Before the 2012 Major League Baseball season, Anthopoulos was known to make trades in order to acquire supplemental draft picks. The most prominent example was when he acquired Miguel Olivo, a Type B free agent, and declined his club option the next day making Olivo a free agent.[20] The Blue Jays gained a supplemental first-round draft pick when Olivo signed with the Seattle Mariners, taking Dwight Smith, Jr.[21]

In November 2012, Anthopolous completed a blockbuster deal with the Miami Marlins, acquiring shortstop Jose Reyes, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck, and infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio in exchange for shortstop Yunel Escobar, pitcher Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis and four minor-league prospects. Cash was also sent to the Jays in the trade.[22]

In December 2012, Anthopoulos acquired the 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner R. A. Dickey in a trade with the New York Mets that sent prospects Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, minor leaguer Wuilmer Becerra and Buck to New York. Toronto also received catcher Josh Thole and minor league catcher Mike Nickeas in the trade.[23] As part of the transaction, the Blue Jays signed Dickey to an extension worth a total of $29 million over three years with a $12 million fourth year option.[24]

In 2013, the Blue Jays finished at 74–88, in last place in the AL East.[25] The next year, they improved to 83–79 and third place.[26]

During the 2014 offseason, Anthopoulos traded Canadian third baseman Brett Lawrie, along with three prospects, to the Oakland Athletics for Josh Donaldson.[27] In July 2015, he acquired Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jose Reyes, Jeff Hoffman, and Miguel Castro.[28] On July 30, he acquired star left-handed pitcher David Price from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, and Jairo Labourt.[29] The next day, Anthopoulos traded for outfielder Ben Revere, and in August, acquired shortstop Cliff Pennington.[30] [31] Price went 9–1 with a 2.30 earned run average in innings pitched for the Blue Jays.[32] The Blue Jays, who had a 50–51 record on July 28, won 43 of their final 61 games to overtake the New York Yankees and win the AL East division crown for their first playoff appearance in 22 seasons.[33] With Donaldson, Bautista, and Encarnación (the latter two acquired by previous GM J.P. Ricciardi) each hitting at least 39 home runs in 2015,[34] the Blue Jays led the major leagues in scoring at 5.50 runs per game.[35] Toronto's season ended in an American League Championship Series (ALCS) loss to the Kansas City Royals.[33] Donaldson was named the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player.[36]

Anthopoulos rejected a five-year extension from the Blue Jays organization on October 29, 2015, and did not publicly reveal the reasons for his decision. He later said "I just think there's certain things that should remain private and behind closed doors, and I know sometimes that's hard to hear and hard to understand. I just think it's the right thing for the organization and the ball club and everybody involved."[37] There was some speculation that his departure was due to the belief that he would not have full autonomy under new president/CEO Mark Shapiro. According to The Globe and Mail, "The talk around the water cooler is that Anthopoulos wanted the same job and responsibility that he had under Beeston, who hired him as GM. That was having the ultimate say in all baseball-related decisions."[37] Shapiro refuted these claims on November 1, stating "It's not about autonomy, it's about collective success". He also denied suggestions that he "scolded" Anthopoulos over several deadline trades involving Blue Jays' top prospects.[38]

Toronto's combined win–loss record was 489–483 while Anthopoulos was GM.[33] On October 29, 2015, Sporting News named him Executive of the Year[39] as selected by a panel of 47 major league executives.[40]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2016–2017)

On January 12, 2016, Anthopoulos was hired as the vice-president of baseball operations by the Los Angeles Dodgers.[41]

Atlanta Braves (2017–present)

On November 13, 2017, Anthopoulos was hired as the executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Braves after agreeing on a four-year contract.[42] The Braves promoted Anthopoulos to president of baseball operations in February 2020, and extended his contract to the 2024 season.[43] [44] The Braves would go on to win the 2021 World Series. On January 12, 2024, Anthopoulos and the Braves agreed to extend his contract through the 2031 season.[45] [46] [47]

In April of 2019, Anthopoulos signed Ronald Acuna Jr. to an extension through 2026 for $100,000,000. This deal included club options for 2027 and 2028.[48] On February 5, 2021, Anthopoulos signed Marcell Ozuna through 2025 with some club options for 2026.[49] In March of 2022, Anthopoulos completed a blockbuster trade acquiring first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for four prospects: outfielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers, and right-handers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes.[50] On August 1, 2022, the Braves announced that Anthopoulos signed Austin Riley to a ten-year contract extension, worth $212 million.[51] Two weeks later, on August 16, Anthopoulos signed Michael Harris II through 2030 with some club options for 2031 and 2032.[52] On October 10, 2022, Anthopoulos signed pitcher Spencer Strider to a six-year, $75 million deal that includes a $22 million option with a $5 million buyout for 2029.[53] In December of 2022, Anthopoulos completed a trade acquiring catcher Sean Murphy in a three-way trade with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers that saw nine players switch teams.[54]

Record as a baseball executive

+ Club achievements as baseball executive
Team Year Regular Season Postseason Occupational title
WonLostWin %FinishResult
TOR200687752nd in AL East- Assistant General Manager
TOR200783793rd in AL East- Assistant General Manager
TOR200886764th in AL East- Assistant General Manager
TOR200975874th in AL East- Assistant General Manager
TOR201085774th in AL East- General Manager
TOR201181814th in AL East- General Manager
TOR201273893rd in AL East- General Manager
TOR201374885th in AL East- General Manager
TOR201483793rd in AL East- General Manager
TOR201593691st in AL EastLost to Kansas City Royals in 2015 American League Championship Series General Manager
TOR Total8208001 playoff appearance
LA201691711st in NL WestLost to Chicago Cubs in 2016 National League Championship SeriesVice-president of baseball operations
LA2017104581st in NL WestLost to Houston Astros in 2017 World SeriesVice-president of baseball operations
LA Total1951292 playoff appearances
ATL201890721st in NL EastLost to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 National League Division SeriesGeneral Manager
ATL201997651st in NL EastLost to St. Louis Cardinals in 2019 National League Division SeriesGeneral Manager
ATL202035251st in NL EastLost to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 National League Championship SeriesPresident of baseball operations & GM
ATL202188731st in NL EastDefeated Houston Astros in 2021 World SeriesPresident of baseball operations & GM
ATL2022101611st in NL EastLost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 National League Division SeriesPresident of baseball operations & GM
ATL2023104581st in NL EastLost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 National League Division SeriesPresident of baseball operations & GM
ATL Total5053546 playoff appearances and 1 World Series title
Total153012839 playoff appearances and 1 World Series title

Personal

Anthopoulos is of Greek Canadian descent, born in Montreal, Quebec to John Anthopoulos, who owned a heating and ventilation company until his death in 1998.[55] He is the youngest of three sons.[55] Anthopoulos stopped playing sports as a teenager to focus on music, specifically the bass guitar. One of his brothers was a guitarist as well, and the other was a drummer and singer.[56] Anthopoulos holds a degree in economics from McMaster University.[2] Anthopoulos married Cristina in 2010,[57] [58] with whom he has two children, daughter Julia and son John.[59] [60]

International

Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the 2004 Summer Olympics; which finished in 7th place.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ricciardi out as Blue Jays GM. Bastian. Jordan. 2009-10-03. MLB.com. 2009-10-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20091006025339/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091003&content_id=7302990&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor. 2009-10-06. dead.
  2. News: 'Kid' Alex Anthopoulos takes over as Jays GM . Toronto Star. Griffin. Richard. October 4, 2009. October 5, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091005174620/http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/article/705131. 5 October 2009 . live.
  3. Web site: Anthopoulos won't return as Blue Jays GM. Chisholm. Gregor. MLB.com. October 29, 2015. November 2, 2015.
  4. Web site: Stephen . Eric . 2016-01-12 . Anthopoulos talks role & move to Los Angeles . 2024-07-21 . True Blue LA . en.
  5. Web site: Stu Cowan: GM Anthopoulos a reason for Montrealers to cheer for Blue Jays. Cowan. Stu. August 7, 2015. November 3, 2015.
  6. Web site: Axe falls on Jays' Ricciardi . Griffin . Richard . thestar.com . October 3, 2009 . November 3, 2015.
  7. News: Dejan . Kovacevic . Pirates trade Bautista to Blue Jays . . August 21, 2008 . August 21, 2008.
  8. Web site: Blue jays' all-time Top 5 in-season trades . Chisholm . Gregor . MLB.com . July 18, 2013 . July 29, 2013.
  9. Web site: José Bautista statistics and history . . December 28, 2015.
  10. Web site: Smith . Christopher . Boston Red Sox rumors: Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and other potential replacements for David Ortiz . The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts) . December 14, 2015 . December 28, 2015.
  11. News: Griffin. Richard. 'Kid' Alex Anthopoulos takes over as Jays GM. December 18, 2014. Toronto Star. October 4, 2009.
  12. Web site: Seven prospects involved in blockbuster. December 16, 2009. Mayo, Jonathan. Winston, Lisa. MLB.com. November 1, 2015. December 20, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091220115157/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091215&content_id=7814772&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi. dead.
  13. News: Blue Jays Hit Home Runs In 2010-11 Drafts. 2016-10-27. BaseballAmerica.com. en-US. 2016-10-27.
  14. Web site: Blue Jays timeline . MLB.com . November 1, 2015.
  15. Web site: Blue Jays trade Vernon Wells to Angels for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera | bluejays.com: News . Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com . November 1, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405151619/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110121&content_id=16479674&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor . 2012-04-05 . dead .
  16. Web site: Napoli dealt to Rangers for Francisco. 2011-01-25. Stephens. Bailey. 2011-01-25. MLB.com.
  17. Web site: Dierkes. Tim. Dodgers Acquire Juan Rivera; Designate Thames. MLBTradeRumors.com. 12 July 2011 . July 12, 2011.
  18. Web site: Nowak. Joey. White Sox send Jackson to Blue Jays for Frasor. MLB.com. November 1, 2015.
  19. Web site: Cardinals deal Rasmus to Jays in three-team mega-deal. Sporting News. November 1, 2015.
  20. Web site: Blue Jays Acquire Miguel Olivo, Decline Option. mlbtraderumors.com. November 4, 2011. November 1, 2015.
  21. Web site: Blue Jays Sign Dwight Smith Jr.. Dierkes. Tim. mlbtraderumors.com. August 14, 2011. November 1, 2015.
  22. Web site: MLB approves mega-deal between Blue Jays and Marlins. TSN.ca. November 19, 2012. November 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20121127174426/http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=409853. 2012-11-27. dead.
  23. Web site: Dickey trade set pending extension agreement. MLB.com. November 1, 2015.
  24. Web site: Dickey deal official as Blue Jays acquire ace . December 17, 2012.
  25. Web site: 2013 Toronto Blue Jays batting, pitching, & fielding statistics . Baseball-Reference.com . December 28, 2015.
  26. Web site: 2014 Toronto Blue Jays batting, pitching, & fielding statistics . Baseball-Reference.com . December 28, 2015.
  27. Web site: Blue Jays win big, save big with Donaldson trade . Davidi . Shi . . November 29, 2014 . August 30, 2015.
  28. Web site: Blue Jays trade Jose Reyes for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins. Kennedy. Brendan. thestar.com. July 28, 2015. August 30, 2015.
  29. Web site: Blue Jays win bidding for prized lefty Price . Chisholm . Gregor . MLB.com . July 30, 2015 . July 30, 2015 . October 24, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151024160800/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/139729246 . dead .
  30. Web site: Blue Jays acquire Ben Revere for two prospects . Nicholson-Smith . Ben . . July 31, 2015 . August 30, 2015.
  31. Web site: Cliff Pennington acquired by Blue Jays in trade . cbc.ca . August 8, 2015 . August 30, 2015.
  32. News: Ringo . Kyle . Toronto GM hopes to re-sign David Price but it might not be his call . . October 26, 2015 . October 30, 2015.
  33. Web site: ESPN.com News Services . Alex Anthopoulos will not return as Blue Jays general manager in 2016 . . October 29, 2015 . October 29, 2015.
  34. News: Matisz . John . Jays exercise options on Bautista, Dickey, Encarnacion . Toronto Sun . November 3, 2015 . December 28, 2015.
  35. Web site: Team runs per game, 2015 . sportingcharts.com . December 28, 2015.
  36. Web site: Donaldson is runaway winner for BBWAA AL MVP . Chisholm . Gregor . MLB.com . November 19, 2015 . November 20, 2015 . November 21, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151121071224/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/157710370/blue-jays-josh-donaldson-wins-al-mvp-award . dead .
  37. News: Blue Jays face uncertain future upon Alex Anthopoulos' departure. MacLeod. Robert. theglobeandmail.com. October 29, 2015. November 2, 2015.
  38. Web site: New Jays president Mark Shapiro 'disappointed' Alex Anthopoulos resigned. Edwards. Peter. Levinson-King. Robin. thestar.com. November 2, 2015. November 2, 2015.
  39. Web site: Sporting News names Alex Anthopoulos MLB Executive of Year . McGuire . Justin . sportingnews.com . October 29, 2015 . October 29, 2015.
  40. Web site: Anthopoulos named MLB Executive of Year. TSN.ca. October 29, 2015. October 29, 2015.
  41. Web site: Alex Anthopoulos joins Dodger front office. Jon. Weisman. dodgers.com. January 12, 2016.
  42. Web site: Braves introduce Anthopoulos as new GM, VP. Mark. Bowman. November 13, 2017.
  43. News: Burns . Gabriel . Braves extend contracts of Anthopoulos, Snitker . February 18, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . February 17, 2020.
  44. News: Braves extend manager Brian Snitker, GM Alex Anthopoulos . February 18, 2020 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . February 17, 2020.
  45. News: Braves extend contract of GM Alex Anthopoulos through 2031 season . January 12, 2024 . ESPN.com . January 12, 2024.
  46. News: Bowman . Mark . Anthopoulos signs extension with Atlanta through 2031 . January 12, 2024 . MLB.com . January 12, 2024.
  47. News: Toscano . Justin . Braves extend Alex Anthopoulos' contract through 2031 season . January 12, 2024 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . January 12, 2024.
  48. Web site: Braves, Acuna agree to historic $100M extension. Jeff. Passan. April 2, 2019. ESPN.
  49. Web site: https://twitter.com/hgomez27/status/1357852580580327426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1357852580580327426%7Ctwgr%5Ee79660dc0de8207341d61c740ab9645e722e7027%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlbdailydish.com%2F2021%2F2%2F5%2F22269505%2Fbraves-sign-marcell-ozuna-to-four-year-deal-per-report. Hector. Gomez. February 5, 2021. x.com.
  50. Web site: Matt Olson trade grade VP. Mark. Bowman. March 15, 2022. cbs.com.
  51. News: Bowman . Mark . Braves sign MVP candidate Riley to 10-year deal . August 1, 2022 . MLB.com . August 1, 2022.
  52. Web site: Braves sign rookie Harris to 8-year deal. Mark. Bowman. August 16, 2022. mlb.com.
  53. Web site: Strider finds security in 6-year deal. Mark. Bowman. . October 11, 2022.
  54. Web site: Braves acquire Sean Murphy. December 12, 2022. Jeff. Passan. ESPN.
  55. News: Friscolanti. Michael. The improbable rise of Alex Anthopoulos. December 23, 2017. Maclean's. March 30, 2011.
  56. News: Schultz . Jeff . Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos goes from cool bass player to trying to keep the championship band together . May 12, 2022 . The Athletic . March 26, 2022.
  57. News: Bowman. Mark. Anthopoulos quickly identifying Braves' needs. November 16, 2017. MLB.com. November 15, 2017.
  58. News: Bowman. Mark. Q&A: New GM Anthopoulos dishes on holidays. December 23, 2017. MLB.com. December 22, 2017.
  59. Web site: Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos: A day in the life. Simmons. Steve. torontosun.com. February 28, 2013. November 3, 2015.
  60. News: Passan . Jeff . World Series 2021: How champion Atlanta Braves found their swagger after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. . 5 November 2021 . ESPN . 3 November 2021.