Atlanta News First (Atlanta, Ga.) — The beard is here to stay. to 2031, at the very least.
The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos’ contract has been extended through 2031.
Terry McGuirk, chairman and CEO of Braves Holdings, LLC, stated, “Alex and I have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship, and I look forward to that continuing for many years to come.” I’ve been in this game for a very long time, so I am aware of how exceptional Alex’s success has been.
In the industry, there is just no one better. With this contract, Alex will have more time to consider long-term options and can keep building clubs that are perennial competitors, which has been his proven method. I am completely certain that he will continue to provide our fans with championship baseball far into the future.
At the close of the 2017 season, Anthopoulos signed with the Braves, just over a month after former baseball operations executives John Hart and John Coppolella were thrown out due to an international market controversy.
In his six seasons in Atlanta, the Braves have won the National League East. His outstanding performance during the Trade Deadline in 2021 helped the Braves win the World Series without Ronald Acuña Jr., who had torn his right anterior cruciate ligament in July. It was the high point of his tenure.
“I express my gratitude to Terry for his unwavering support and confidence,” Anthopoulos remarked. Being a member of the Braves is an amazing experience, and I’m proud of the accomplishments we have made as a team. I am appreciative of the chance to oversee baseball operations going forward and work toward bringing Atlanta another World Series.
When Anthopoulos extended the contracts of Acuña and Ozzie Albies in 2019, he started his effort to lock up the team’s youthful players. Acuña will receive $17 million in 2027 and 2028 from his club options. Albies will receive $7 million in 2026 and 2027 from his club options.
At least 2027 is when Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, Michael Harris II, Acuña, and Albies are expected to stay with the team. Harris is guaranteed through 2030, and Riley through 2032. Olson has a 2030 team option.