Atlanta Braves fans have been a bit frustrated with general manager Alex Anthopoulos. There are many who feel he didn't do enough to address Atlanta's needs in the offseason. This narrative wasn't helped when Jurickson Profar was suspended for PEDs and the team started off with an 0-7 record.
It's much easier to point out the shortcomings of a team when everything is going wrong. However, some of the criticism is valid including the lack of additions in the bullpen after losing Minter and Jimenez.
Now the team is in a place where they are 12 games out of first place and 6.5 games from a Wild Card spot. People want to know if Atlanta will be sellers at the trade deadline and Anthopoulos touched on that and more in a recent interview on 680 The Fan.
Alex Anthopoulos' interview gives Braves fans more clarity on the team's trade deadline plans
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos on @680TheFan this morning on @CelliniNick & @chrisdimino
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) June 18, 2025
🔹 "We are not selling"
🔹 "Want to be in a position to add"
🔹 Offense has been "most disappointing"
🔹 On trading Chris Sale: "Will not happen"
🔹 Jurickson Profar will get a second chance pic.twitter.com/KduLq56XDV
AA made it very clear that as of right now, the Braves will not be sellers at the deadline. Anthopoulos hopes the team is in a position to add at the deadline and give them a shot at the playoffs. But he did mention the offense has been the most disappointing aspect for him. Maybe when Jurickson Profar gets his second chance, the offense will take care of itself.
He continued by stating not being able to win one-run games has hurt them and hasn't allowed pitching any margin for error. The offense looks to be on the way up as they have brought their best against the Mets so far.
Anthopoulos also made sure to mention that he doesn't think the clubhouse feels flat. He mentioned how getting Joc Pederson and Stephen Vogt in 2021 was partly due to the clubhouse atmosphere being flat. On Atlanta's recent road trip, he stated the clubhouse felt good and players were in high spirits.
This included him backing up Austin Riley's recent statements that there is no leadership problem with the team.
As far as if the team will sell, he stated it's "ridiculous" to him. He made sure to say Chris Sale being traded will NOT happen. He doubled down and said he never makes definitive statements unless he's going to stick with them.
"Once you make definitive statements and you go back on them, you're a liar and you're done."
Anthopoulos continued by informing fans that he's trying to quell speculation of being sellers by trying "very hard" to make a trade happen in June. This is a big deal and you could feel the urgency in his voice. He knows the team needs help and is looking to signal to the team he has faith in them.
The only thing that was questionable was him stating he still thinks there's upside to the bullpen, but that is a clear weak spot for the team. Hopefully, he will address that need at some point. Regardless, fans now know where the team stands, and what they can expect from the front office.