The Atlanta Braves have been spiraling through this season. The 2025 trade deadline was their chance to face reality, offload veterans, and reset the roster for a quick bounce-back in 2026.
Instead, they did almost nothing at all. The Braves made one move, shipping Rafael Montero to the Tigers in a deal that most fans missed. Beyond that? Nothing. No moves, not even a long-term play. Even obvious trade candidates on expiring deals like Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias stayed put.
Braves fans were furious — and understandably so. The initial reaction? All eyes turned toward Alex Anthopoulos, the architect of Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run. But not so fast. According to former Braves beat writer Justin Toscano, there’s a deeper issue here — and it’s wearing a suit in a corporate boardroom.
Anthopoulos Didn’t Forget How to GM the Braves
Toscano pointed the finger at Liberty Media, the Braves’ ownership group, suggesting they refused to sign off on selling. So, it’s not because it wasn’t smart baseball, but because they feared it would hurt ticket sales. If true, that would mean Anthopoulos didn’t fail to act. He wasn’t allowed to. And honestly, it tracks.
Anthopoulos didn’t suddenly forget how to run a front office. He knows Iglesias had value, even in a down year. The veteran reliever had allowed a run in just two of his last 20 outings heading into the break. And with a reliever market tilted toward sellers, Atlanta could’ve flipped him for something rather than letting him walk in free agency.
So why keep him? Why let the deadline pass without a single impactful move? Only one explanation fits: ownership meddling.
Playing It Safe Might’ve Made Things Worse
Marcell Ozuna, with his 10-5 rights, inconsistent bat, and off-field baggage, was a tougher sell. But Iglesias? That’s on ownership, plain and simple. The same group that sat on their hands this past offseason and let Anthopoulos go into battle with patchwork depth and short-term scraps.
Liberty Media believes that retaining recognizable names like Iglesias and Ozuna enhances fan engagement. Reality? Most fans are smarter than that. They know the season is done. They’d rather see the front office plan for the future than limp to 80 wins with an expensive bullpen and no playoff shot.
The irony? By refusing to “sell” for fear of losing fan interest, Liberty Media may have just guaranteed a more painful rebuild — and even more disillusionment from the fanbase.
The Braves were thriving when Anthopoulos was unleashed. Now, with ownership handcuffing the front office, Atlanta looks like a franchise paralyzed by fear, not driven by strategy.
They didn’t buy or didn’t sell. They just stood there, watching 2025 burn.
