Alex Anthopoulos reveals infuriating Dansby Swanson detail for Braves

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos revealed a frustrating detail in regard to contract negotiations with former shortstop Dansby Swanson.

Last offseason, the Atlanta Braves fanbase watched as the team moved on from longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman, as he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the Matt Olson trade. This offseason, shortstop Dansby Swanson entered free agency and signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Braves fans may have expected Swanson moving onto another team after receiving a big contract, but they probably didn’t see these comments from general manager Alex Anthopoulos coming.

While speaking with The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz (subscription required), Anthopoulos revealed that Swanson was actually willing to return to Atlanta “for a lot less,” but cited that re-signing Swanson didn’t “make sense.”

Alex Anthopoulos reveals that Dansby Swanson was willing to stay ‘for a lot less’

“But I will say this: Dansby made every effort to find a way to stay in Atlanta. We had conversations in the summer,” said Anthopoulos, h/t CBS Sports. “He was willing to take a lot less than what he got. That’s important. But we have to manage in our minds short term and long term, and we have to make sure we have enough payroll to allocate a full 26. He deserves everything he got, but at a certain point, it doesn’t make sense for us. It’s hard because you’re losing a phenomenal human being and a phenomenal player.”

Schultz mentions in the article that it was believed the Braves offered Swanson a six-year, $100 million contract, who then countered with a six-year, $140 million deal. Anthopoulos would not go into what they specifically offered, however.

Ever since the Braves were eliminated from the postseason, the word was that the team was prepared in case Swanson were to sign elsewhere. One name that was listed as a replacement for Swanson was Vaughn Grissom, who was working out with third base coach Ron Washington at shortstop this offseason. Another name brought up was Orlando Arcia.

Swanson is coming off a strong season in which he recorded a .277 batting average, a .329 on-base percentage, a .447 slugging percentage, 25 home runs, 96 RBI, 99 runs scored, and 177 hits. He was named to the All-Star Game for the first time, and received his very first Gold Glove award.

After receiving interest from teams like the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox, Swanson agreed to terms with the Cubs.

Swanson posted an emotional farewell message to his hometown Braves before his introductory press conference with the Cubs.

It has to sting for the Braves fanbase to see yet another player who made their major league debut with the team depart in free agency. But, Anthopoulos stresses that he felt a potential deal didn’t make sense