Alex Anthopolous Facing Backlash After Braves Decision

Imagn Images

Alex Anthopolous Facing Backlash After Braves Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tate Mosher | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 11:02 AM ET

The Atlanta Braves find themselves at 67-45, first place in the National League East and seven and a half games over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

Even with one of the NL’s best records, the team is not perfect. They had needs at the trade deadline, particularly starting pitching. That time has come and gone now, and the front office did not do much to address that.

At around 7 p.m. Monday, immediately following the trade deadline, it was announced that infielder Ha-Seong Kim would be reinstated from the injured list. He will be taking over Jorge Mateo’s role on the roster.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported that there was not a debate over bringing Kim back. This was not received well by fans. The replies are full of discontent with the club’s general manager Alex Anthopolous.

Anthopoulos said there was never any discussion about not bringing Kim back.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 3, 2026

One fan said, “Ask him who is our game 2 starter right now.”

Another said, “He can't admit it because then he admits he burned $20,000,000 on a player with 5 more hits than I have in MLB this year.”

Another said, “[Kim is] bloody useless!! (For once I would love to be proven wrong, but he SUCKS).”

Kim signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta this winter. After missing most of last year with injury, he has repeated that offense again this year. As of Aug. 4, he has played 75 total games over 2025 and 2026.

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The 30-year-old came off the injured list for finger inflammation this time around. In 27 games this season, he is slashing .068/.171/.068 for a dreadful .239 OPS. He does not have a home run and only three RBIs in 82 plate appearances.

For Mateo, he had been playing well enough. In 67 games, he slashed .240/.285/.380 (.665 OPS) with four home runs and 11 RBIs. He converted 10 of 11 stolen base attempts and posted two outs above average at shortstop (h/t FanGraphs).

Anthopolous has been the general manager in Atlanta for nine seasons now. The teams have been mostly good over his tenure, and his 2021 trade deadline performance that propelled the club to a World Series win will not be forgotten. However, fans have become more frustrated with him as the years wear on.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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