The Braves’ rumored front office changes could quickly become a reality, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link) reports that a “move is going to happen very soon.” This move will likely be the removal of Frank Wren from the general manager’s job — O’Brien would be surprised if the move is anything besides Wren’s firing and FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter links) that Wren is gone “barring a last-minute reversal” from upper management. Wren could be fired as early as today, Rosenthal reports.
A 4-14 record in September both ended the Braves’ postseason hopes and generated speculation about Wren’s job security. The most heavily-rumored scenario would see team president John Schuerholz or senior advisor John Hart take a larger role in the team’s baseball operations department, with assistant GM John Coppolella promoted to the general manager’s job on at least an interim basis. (If Wren is indeed ousted today or before the season ends, Coppolella seems like the obvious candidate to be in the interim GM anyway.)
If FG is still the manager, it won’t matter who the GM is.
What, don’t you think BJ Upton’s primary spot is in the 2-hole? 😛
Can’t say that I’m surprised. Still, I would rather them just fire Fredi Gonzalez and keep Wren. He’s made some strange moves (primarily the BJ Upton signing and Chris Johnson’s unnecessary extension), but he’s by no means a horrible GM, and I don’t think he should be fired.
Fredi Gonzalez on the other hand has no business being this team’s manager. Enough is enough. Three chokejobs out of four Septembers under his watch. Not only that, but the man cannot optimize his lineups and his bullpen management is abysmal. Honest to Christ, if this guy is still writing lineup cards in 2015, I’m done.
Good word — I agree! Wren has a couple stinker moves under his watch (BJ Upton, Kawakami, D Lowe), but all others that have disappointed were not his fault. Who knew Uggla would tank after putting on a Braves uniform? (and his first year wasn’t bad) BUT — Fredi G is a huge disappointment. I think we send him and Tosca and Walker and Fletcher packing.
Kawakami 3yr 23MM for a Japanese allstar, can’t blame the guy. Lowe yes, but we were going into the season with Jurrjens, Vazquez, Campillo as our starting options. we offered that money for Lowe to come to us instead of the Mets. None of us saw a quick decline from players like Melky, McClouth, Jurrjens, BJ, and Uggla coming as quickly as they did.
I was in favor of the Lowe signing just not the price it took to get him. 12-13 a year is what it should of took to get him. Lowe wanted the fourth year guaranteed which was fine just not at 15 mil. a year. It still would of been bad signing just not as bad.
What’s he done wrong, except Kawakami, Lowe, McOut, Uggla, BJ…
That’s fine; I support this as long as Fredi G. is also fired.
It’s the free agent signings that was the problem with Wren, the trading side he seems to do alright. I’m more for replacing Fredi G. and the hitting coaches than Wren. Braves should look into getting Jason Varitek as a manager and possibly someone like K.Youkilis, M.Young, L.Berkman as a Hitting coach.
Ah, Jason Varitek could be an interesting choice. But isn’t he working for Boston’s front office?
He is, but still worth looking into. He went to Georgia Tech. so he has some ties. Whether he has interest in managing and would he leave his position in Boston to do so, not sure.
Frank shouldn’t be fired John Schuerholz has been there for the terrible Tex trade and the JD Drew for Wainwright trade. If you think Frank is the only one responsible, you’re wrong. Everything he does has to be approved by Schuerholz
Schuerholz and Hart were trained in their craft by the Orioles, and Wren was fired by the Orioles after one season. Hmmmm…