Anthopoulos named Braves president, GM

The Atlanta Braves on Monday promoted Alex Anthopoulos to president of baseball operations and GM, and also extended manager Brian Snitker’s contract.

The contracts of Snitker and his coaching staff were extended through 2021, while Anthopoulos, a former Blue Jays GM, was extended through 2024.

Meanwhile, Anthopoulos announced the Braves have hired ex-jays manager John Gibbons as a scout.

Snitker, 64, led the Braves to 97 wins and a National League East title last year, the club’s second straight division crown. He was a finalist for NL Manager of the Year after winning the award in 2018.

“Winning consecutive division titles illustrates the leadership and impact of Brian and his staff,” Anthopoulos said. “We are happy to know they will be leading the Braves through the 2021 season.”

Atlanta named Snitker interim manager on May 17, 2016, before he was formally announced as the manager on Oct. 11, 2016.

His staff includes Sal Fasano (catching coach), Rick Kranitz (pitching), Marty Reed (bullpen), Kevin Seitzer (hitting), Ron Washington (third base), Walt Weiss (bench) and Eric Young Sr. (first base/outfield).

Anthopoulos will continue to report directly to Braves chairman Terry Mcguirk.

“Since he joined the organization, Alex has continued the winning tradition that Braves fans have come to expect,” Mcguirk said.

Anthopoulos, 42, served as the club’s executive vice president and GM after joining the organization in 2017. Prior to joining the Braves, he worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers as vice president of baseball operations for two seasons.

Anthopoulos’s six seasons as the Blue Jays GM culminated in an American League East title in 2015 to snap Toronto’s 22-year post-season drought. Anthopoulos was selected as Sporting News’ MLB Executive of the Year that season.