The Atlanta Braves announced that they have promoted Alex Anthopolous to president, director of baseball operations and General Manager. The club will also extend the contracts of Brian Snitker and his staff through the 2021 season. The club also extended Anthopolous’ contract through the 2024 season.
Anthopoulos was hired as the executive vice president and general manager in Novemeber 2017. Since his arrival, the Braves have won back-to-back National League East titles, and advanced to the National League Divisional Series in each season. He has also built an impressive roster throughout the offseason, adding reliever Will Smith and outfielder Marcell Ozuna to the plethora of young talent.
Snitker replaced former manager Fredi Gonzalez as the interim during the 2016 season. Since then, he has a record of 318-292 in four seasons as the Braves’ head man, receiving the 2018 National League Manager of the Year award in the process. His 3-6 record in the postseason is alarming, however. In both of the Braves’ trips to the postseason during the Snitker era, Atlanta was defeated by the Dodgers in four games and the Cardinals in five games, both of which came in the NLDS.
The extensions of both Anthopolous and Snitker show the Braves are happy with the direction of the organization and the leadership shown by both individuals during their time in Atlanta. The Braves are coming off of a 97-win season and a N.L. East championship in 2019. They will look to get over the postseason hump and contend for a World Series title this season.
