Alex Anthopoulos
Encyclopedia
Alex Anthopoulos is currently the Senior Vice President
of Baseball Operations and General Manager
for the Toronto Blue Jays
. He was appointed to this position from his former position of Assistant General Manager, on October 3, after previous G.M. J. P. Ricciardi was fired. Anthopoulos came to the Blue Jays in as a scouting coordinator, after working in the Montreal Expos
organization starting in .
, Quebec
, Canada
. He has a degree in economics
from McMaster University
. He is married with one child. Alex began his career working with the Montreal Expos.
by playing a major role in one of the biggest trades in Blue Jays history, "The Doc Deal"
. In the deal, Anthopoulos traded Roy Halladay
to the Philadelphia Phillies
for Kyle Drabek
, Michael Taylor
, and Travis D'Arnaud. Soon afterwards, he sent Michael Taylor to the Oakland Athletics
for Brett Wallace
, and in July 2010, traded Brett Wallace
to the Houston Astros
for center field prospect Anthony Gose.
On December 22, 2009, Anthopoulos traded reliever Brandon League
and minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez to acquire Brandon Morrow
from the Seattle Mariners
.
On July 14, 2010 Alex Anthopoulos made a deal with the Atlanta Braves
to acquire Yunel Escobar
, and Jo-Jo Reyes
in exchange for Álex González, and two minor league prospects: Tim Collins
, and Tyler Pastornicky.
The Jays' first season with Anthopoulos at the helm resulted in a 85-77 record good for fourth place in the American League East
division. The club belted a franchise-record 257 home runs, the third-highest single-season total by any club in major league history.
On January 21, 2011, Alex Anthopoulos completed a blockbuster trade, shipping another longtime face of the Blue Jays franchise Vernon Wells and the remaining US$86 million over the next four years to the Los Angeles Angels for slugging catcher Mike Napoli
and veteran outfielder Juan Rivera
. He then sent Napoli to the Texas Rangers
for pitcher Frank Francisco
and Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers
for a player to be named later
or cash considerations.
On July 28, 2011, Alex made a deal to acquire center fielder Colby Rasmus
from the St. Louis Cardinals
as a centerpiece to the 14 player, 3-team trade. Toronto sent pitching prospect Zach Stewart and veteran reliever Jason Frasor
to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson
and infielder Mark Teahen
. Edwin Jackson was then sent to the Cardinals along with relief pitchers Marc Rzepczynski
, Octavio Dotel
, outfielder Corey Patterson
and cash or 3 player's to be named later, in exchange for Rasmus and relief pitchers Brian Tallet
, PJ Walters and Trever Miller
.
On August 23, 2011, Alex traded infielders Aaron Hill and John McDonald to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for second baseman Kelly Johnson
.
He is widely known for liking to stockpile supplemental draft picks. The greatest instance is when he acquired Miguel Olivo
, A Type B free agent and declined his club option the next day making Olivo a free agent. He gained a draft pick when Olivo signed with Seattle.
. The Greek team finished in 7th place.
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of Baseball Operations and General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He was appointed to this position from his former position of Assistant General Manager, on October 3, after previous G.M. J. P. Ricciardi was fired. Anthopoulos came to the Blue Jays in as a scouting coordinator, after working in the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
organization starting in .
Personal
Anthopoulos is a Greek Canadian who was born in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has a degree in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
. He is married with one child. Alex began his career working with the Montreal Expos.
General Manager of the Blue Jays
Alex Anthopoulos began his tenure as the general manager of the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
by playing a major role in one of the biggest trades in Blue Jays history, "The Doc Deal"
2010 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 2010 Toronto Blue Jays season was the 34th season of Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays franchise, and the team's 21st full season of play at the Rogers Centre. The 2010 season was the first under general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who replaced J. P...
. In the deal, Anthopoulos traded Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Kyle Drabek
Kyle Drabek
Kyle Jordan Drabek is an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. He made his first major league start on September 15, 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles....
, Michael Taylor
Michael Taylor (baseball)
Michael D. Taylor is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics.-Baseball career:...
, and Travis D'Arnaud. Soon afterwards, he sent Michael Taylor to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Brett Wallace
Brett Wallace
Brett Alexander Wallace is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-High school:...
, and in July 2010, traded Brett Wallace
Brett Wallace
Brett Alexander Wallace is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-High school:...
to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for center field prospect Anthony Gose.
On December 22, 2009, Anthopoulos traded reliever Brandon League
Brandon League
Brandon Paul League is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is married with three children. He resides in Honolulu, and is hapa Yonsei. His maternal great-grandparents were born and raised in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan...
and minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez to acquire Brandon Morrow
Brandon Morrow
Brandon John Morrow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
from the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
On July 14, 2010 Alex Anthopoulos made a deal with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
to acquire Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar
Yunel Almenares Escobar is a professional baseball shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early life:Escobar was born in Havana, Cuba...
, and Jo-Jo Reyes
Jo-Jo Reyes
Joseph Albert "Jo-Jo" Reyes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball...
in exchange for Álex González, and two minor league prospects: Tim Collins
Tim Collins (baseball)
Timothy "Tim" Collins is an American-born professional baseball player currently playing for the Kansas City Royals.-Amateur career:...
, and Tyler Pastornicky.
The Jays' first season with Anthopoulos at the helm resulted in a 85-77 record good for fourth place in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
division. The club belted a franchise-record 257 home runs, the third-highest single-season total by any club in major league history.
On January 21, 2011, Alex Anthopoulos completed a blockbuster trade, shipping another longtime face of the Blue Jays franchise Vernon Wells and the remaining US$86 million over the next four years to the Los Angeles Angels for slugging catcher Mike Napoli
Mike Napoli
Michael Anthony Napoli is a Major League Baseball catcher/first baseman with the Texas Rangers.-Early career:Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida...
and veteran outfielder Juan Rivera
Juan Rivera
Juan Rivera may refer to:*Juan Rivera early Spanish explorer of North America*Juan Rivera , major league baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers*Juan Rivera, wrestler, better known by his stage name Savio Vega...
. He then sent Napoli to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for pitcher Frank Francisco
Frank Francisco
Franklin Thomas Francisco is a relief pitcher.-Baseball career:Francisco was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox. He was traded by the Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox on July 31, , along with Byeong Hak An in exchange for reliever Bob Howry...
and Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
or cash considerations.
On July 28, 2011, Alex made a deal to acquire center fielder Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
as a centerpiece to the 14 player, 3-team trade. Toronto sent pitching prospect Zach Stewart and veteran reliever Jason Frasor
Jason Frasor
Jason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games....
to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
and infielder Mark Teahen
Mark Teahen
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
. Edwin Jackson was then sent to the Cardinals along with relief pitchers Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
, Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, outfielder Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
and cash or 3 player's to be named later, in exchange for Rasmus and relief pitchers Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
, PJ Walters and Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
.
On August 23, 2011, Alex traded infielders Aaron Hill and John McDonald to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for second baseman Kelly Johnson
Kelly Johnson (baseball)
Kelly Andrew Johnson is a Major League Baseball second baseman.-Atlanta Braves:Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves...
.
He is widely known for liking to stockpile supplemental draft picks. The greatest instance is when he acquired Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
, A Type B free agent and declined his club option the next day making Olivo a free agent. He gained a draft pick when Olivo signed with Seattle.
International
Anthopoulos served as an advanced scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
. The Greek team finished in 7th place.