Braves executive expresses regret over player signings

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, recently talked about the fear of missing out in baseball decisions. He expressed that even top executives worry about deals they didn’t make in the past. Anthopoulos highlighted this during an interview on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast. He explained that many general managers reflect on past choices. They often ask themselves questions like, "Should we have signed this guy?" or "Should we have traded for him?" Anthopoulos believes every GM in sports experiences this doubt. Despite these worries, Anthopoulos has had significant success. Under his leadership, the Braves have made the postseason for seven straight years. However, last year, Atlanta's run of six consecutive National League East titles ended due to injuries to key players, including Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning MVP. The Braves clinched a Wild Card berth but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. The Braves celebrated a championship in 2021, ending a 26-year title drought by defeating the Houston Astros. Anthopoulos has managed to keep many core players with long-term contracts. This includes five players, such as Matt Olson and Austin Riley, who have deals extending through at least 2028. This offseason was different, as the Braves didn't sign many free agents quickly. They lost backup catcher Travis d'Arnaud to the Angels after the 2024 World Series. Recently, they had to sign veteran James McCann to help fill the gap after starting catcher Sean Murphy suffered a cracked rib. This series of events has led fans to feel worried about the team’s future, but Anthopoulos's openness about these feelings is seen as a refreshing change.