Atlanta Braves GM on Josh Donaldson, third base, and money

Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos called Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s High Heat show on MLB Network Thursday and discussed the team’s offseason.

I usually turn the volume down when Mad Dog Russo is ranting about something, but when he said Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos would call in after the break, I turned it up and took some notes.

Russo began by going over the signings from November and December. With the pleasantries out of the way, he turned to Josh Donaldson’s surprise signing with the Twins and asked Anthopoulos how the negotiation went.

The GM said that the Atlanta Braves had “unbelievable communication” with Donaldson’s camp from the time the season ended – including over the holidays – until immediately before he signed with Minnesota.

It didn’t sound as if they made a formal offer early in the postseason, but he did say that the Braves made “a strong, healthy offer, but not to the level of the Twins” and that Donaldson gave the team a chance to make an offer before he signed.

In the end, the GM said even though Donaldson helped them win 97 games, and they couldn’t have done it without him, “and it was hard to walk away from arguably the best player other than Mike Trout” he and his staff had to do what they felt was better for the future of the Braves short and long term.

Russo then asked what everyone wanted to know, was it the years or the money?

"There was a ton of talk about the years – three year, four-year – and the deal could end up being a five-year deal and a hundred million dollars, right? So, our view was the total amount of dollars, not the years."

He went on to say that he knew Donaldson well and expected him to play until he was 40-years old, like Nelson Cruz.

Critical answer one: They would pay Donaldson well, but not $100M.

About Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves

Russo seemed shocked Anthopoulos was so forthright about the money, but quickly asked if the Atlanta Braves had “Ozuna in their pocket” in case Donaldson didn’t sign, because they signed him so quickly after Donaldson went o Minnesota.

The GM said he and his staff identified Marcell Ozuna as an under-valued player. They believed his peripherals indicated he hit in some bad luck.

They reached out to Ozuna’s agent early and let him know they were interested, but that the Braves wanted to see what happened with Donaldson first. Anthopoulos went on to say something very telling.

". . . we told any free agent we talked to the same thing, our first priority was signing Josh Donaldson"

While they liked what they saw with Ozuna, they planned to stay the course, hold off signing anyone until Donaldson signed somewhere.

A few days before Donaldson signed, his agent let the Braves know what it would take to get JD back. When they knew Donaldson was signing elsewhere, the pivoted to Ozuna.

Critical answer two: They would wait until the end for Donaldson

How do the Atlanta Braves feel about Riley?

Russo then turned to how the Braves would fill the third base spot. Anthopoulos took a deep breath before answering.

"We really like Austin Riley, we think he’s going to be a great player. We just don’t know when. Is that going to be 2020, we hope so. Is it going to be 2021?"

Anthopoulos went on to talk about how talented Riley is and the way his career had progressed. He pointed out that after every promotion, Riley struggled, but by the second year, he had figured it out.

If that pattern continues, he’ll be ready in 2020. The GM said he knew Riley was “highly motivated,” and they hope it would come together; if not, they had Johan Camargo to fall back on.

Critical answer three:  They like Riley but is he ready?

Is LMC restricting payroll?

Referring to his view that the Atlanta Braves liked to dip their toes in the water but not make a splash with a big signing, Russo asked if LMC restricted the Braves’ ability to spend money.

Anthopoulos died it strongly.

"There’s a lot of narrative out there that’s just false. The best way to put it is this. I report to Terry McGuirk. He’s the chairman of the club, he is the one sets the payroll every year. Obviously, Liberty Media owns us, but (McGuirk) is the one who sets the payroll."

He said that all decisions were baseball decisions and every time he needed money or go over payroll and needed a quick answer, citing the deadline acquisitions over the last two years  –  when he asked for money and needed a quick answer he’d received both from McGuirk.

"I’ve had all the resources I’ve needed, our payroll continues to climb. We had the ability, if we wanted to do the deal with Josh we certainly could have done that, or any other of the other high dollar  free agents if we wanted."

Those who still think LMC is squeezing the purse strings, please contact Alex Anthopoulos and tell him he’s not being truthful.

Critical question four: LMC is not restricting payroll

That’s a wrap

When I heard the Atlanta Braves GM would talk to Russo, I expected the same kind of politically correct answers and spin we usually hear; that’s not what I heard this time.

Anthopoulos was firm, positive, and more open about the deals than any I’ve ever heard. It’s okay not to like the answers – I’m not keen on letting Donaldson control other signings – but you have to like the delivery.