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Atlanta Braves: Top Five Alex Anthopoulos Moves So Far

By Kit Anderson

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Pitcher Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. Alex Signs a Top of the Rotation Piece in Anibal Sanchez

Signing Anibal Sanchez was one of the most frustrating moves last season with a young roster and plenty of young arms to eat innings. It is a move I criticized and thought to be a big mistake. For a point of reference, Sanchez had just posted back to back seasons with an ERA above five.

Not exactly a free agent many fans are excited to see signed. But Anthopolous had the foresight to sign the veteran who won a spot in the rotation.

All he did after that was post a microscopic 2.83 ERA tossing 136.2 innings with 135 strikeouts. Considering how many starts he had those are ace-like numbers for a veteran who looked to be falling apart.

Give AA and the front office credit, they recognized Sanchez had reinvented himself and gave the starter a chance. Much the same as the surprise production from Flaherty and Tucker helped the offense early on, Sanchez stabilized the rotation.

Braves fans have to hope the team is able to find another contract like Sanchez during Spring Training. Giving another veteran a shot to replace the surprise top production the Braves were given from Sanchez in 2018.

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