Alex Anthopoulos fiery message to Braves clubhouse paid off

The Braves finally have some momentum, sweeping the Mets behind multiple gems from the aces of their staff. It was the kind of series the Braves needed, as they hope to put together a strong run before the trade deadline.

A few more series wins, and they’ll be in a prime position to be buyers at the end of July, and it seems Alex Anthopoulos was sending a message to the clubhouse if there was any confusion.

“We’re not selling,” the Braves GM said with conviction during a radio interview. “A month from now, we are 30 games under or something crazy, I guess I would reconsider. I’ve been in the postseason personally — talking about myself, totally selfishly — ten seasons in a row. I don’t remember what it feels like to not be contending.”

Anthopoulos wasn’t just talking to the 680 hosts; he was talking to all of Braves Country, the players and the fans. Atlanta’s lead man was signaling to the clubhouse in his fiery interview that he believes in them, that this season isn’t over.

“No. Zero,” he said of the Braves potentially trading Chris Sale. “We are not selling, especially players with club control beyond the current year. Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I’m going to stick to them. So, once you make definitive statements, and then you go back on them, you’re a liar and you’re done. So, WILL NOT HAPPEN!”

Want an even more emphatic ‘let’s go, boys!’ from Anthopoulos? The Braves’ GM ended the radio interview by saying he’s actively trying to make a trade right now.

“I’m trying to make a trade now. Very hard right now to make a trade in June. Just to signal to everybody and say, ‘Hey, we will not sell.’”

It’s the kind of interview that wasn’t just a bunch of monotone coach speak. It was a passionate message to players, managers, and fans. And it appeared to have paid off. The Braves sweep of the Mets was by far the best all-around series of the season, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that came right after Alex Anthopoulos emphatically stated that this club can still turn things around.