Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos talks Keuchel Kimbrel and rotation

Atlanta Braves executive VP and GM Alex Anthopoulos talked about landing his newest pitcher with MLB Networks’ Chris Russo.

The Atlanta Braves signed Dallas Keuchel to a one year $21.5M (prorated to $13M) last week. Like most signings, the deal took a long time to – as Scott Boras framed it – “decant”.

He told Russo that the Atlanta Braves were also discussing the possibility adding Craig Kimbrel at the same weighed assessed the option of adding both players for their stretch run, but ultimately decided on the rotation as their priority.

Anthopoulos told Russo the contract they had in mind for Kimbrel had a structure similar to the one he eventually received from the Cubs: heavily back-loaded to fit both players into this year’s payroll.

Coincidentally, David O’Brien posted a background piece on the Keuchel deal in The Athletic (no link because of the paywall).

How the Atlanta Braves landed Keuchel

O’Brien confirms the Braves had interest in the big lefty from Tulsa, Oklahoma in the off-season, kept in touch during the season and renewed serious discussions once it was clear the draft pick penalty would vanish.

The GM told Russo the Braves believed they had him convinced to join Atlanta in the week before the draft, but suddenly it wasn’t there, and they thought it was dead.

On the first day of the draft, Jon Morosi asked Boras if he expected a quick deal.  Other agents asked that question might reply that discussions were underway.  Always the showman, Boras gave a quote guaranteed to get lots of press.

That simultaneously explain why so many fans dislike Boras and why he’s loved by the media. I digress.

Two days later (day three of the draft) the deal awoke from its coma and started asking for a visit from the Braves. Soon after, they signed the deal.