Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos seemed to make all the right moves this past offseason, trading for All-Star catcher Sean Murphy, and signing All-Star SS Orlando Arcia to a multi-year deal.
With the MLB trade deadline just two weeks away, the question now is if there will be any tweaks done to the 60-29 Braves?
Whatever decision Anthopoulos makes, don't count on him doing anything, big or small, to upset the great chemistry of this team.
The Braves' GM joined The Steakhouse to break down what went well for the team this first half of the year, and closeness was a sentiment echoed more than once. In discussing how this team can been seen out together, whether it be other local sporting events, dinners, golfing, etc., he's seen the benefit of this in team wins. "I didn't win a lot as a young GM, but once I starting committing to things like this, our teams starting winning divisions.
"Maybe you get one more win, or the team's better, or someone starts improving."
It's that chemistry and closeness that propelled the Braves to their best first half in team history, and one of the best in MLB history from an offensive standpoint.
The question now is how to maintain that throughout the rest of the year, and into the playoffs and beyond. AA has had success in previous years with minor acquisitions, most notably the '21 NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario, '21 World Series MVP Jorge Soler, and big postseason bat Joc Pederson.
All were seen as good deals, but not necessarily major deals. However, they all contributed to what that team was, on and off the field. Anthopoulos knows that if there is a move to make this offseason, it needs to be similar.
"I'm really sensitive to the fact that there are a lot of really talented players out there, but will they fit, will they mesh, and how will the pieces go together," Anthopoulos said.
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