Braves’ general manager hinted at a big-name trade deadline target in recent interview

Alex Anthopoulos is very adept at keeping things under wraps, but he did share a little information with Braves fans during a recent interview.

If you’re looking for baseball general managers who are masters of “saying nothing” while physically speaking a lot of words, Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos is at or near the top. Anthopoulos, known for keeping the Braves’ front office under wraps when it comes to information, has become quite adept at answering anything resembling a speculative question with a healthy dose of “we aren’t going to divulge our plans or negotiate in public,” as well as clever word salads that talk around the question without answering it.

To be fair, the method has served the Braves well, as the team has been able to negotiate trades for players such as Chris Sale, Matt Olson, and Sean Murphy largely outside of the sports media spotlight. Without having to deal with public pressure, the front office may have been able to complete agreements that would not have been possible otherwise, which is a positive development.

Still, Anthopoulos has a bit of a troll in him, as seen by a recent interview on 680 The Fan. Toward the end of the interview, he mentioned that the Braves had inquired about the availability of a “good player” and that his son was quite thrilled about it.

What (or who) does AA have up his sleeve!? @CelliniNick @chrisdimino

FULL INTERVIEW 🎧 https://t.co/kkwz2n0hY8 pic.twitter.com/Eb97tjNTeK

— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) May 31, 2024

Which “good player” could the Braves be targeting in trade right now?

Obviously, all of the typical restrictions apply. AA might be misdirecting or having fun right now. He also took great care not to reveal any additional information about the “good player” Atlanta had inquired about, the potential of a transaction, or even the player’s position. Aside from making fans excited, he most likely got his son harassed with questions about it from his pals (which is amusing).

However, if we dig deep enough, we may find some hints. It is a good athlete with enough name recognition that Anthopoulos’ 11-year-old son recognizes him, which helps. While we can’t pinpoint the exact position the guy could play, we can presumably rule out catcher and infield. That leaves an outfielder or pitcher of some kind.

Given that the conversation occurred despite the fact that the trade deadline is still a long way off, the best guess is that it was with a team that is already out or intends to be. Perhaps a conversation with former Braves front office executive Perry Minasian regarding a deal for Angels’ Taylor Ward could be the solution, but we’ll still betting on another trade with the A’s for Brent Rooker and/or Mason Miller. Rooker hits a lot of bombs, and Miller possesses a loud strikeout pitch with an electrifying fastball. That does sound like something that AA’s son would be interested in.