Headlines

  • Astros To Sign Jake Odorizzi
  • Brewers To Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.
  • Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez
  • No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021
  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Braves Name John Hart President Of Baseball Ops

By Steve Adams | October 23, 2014 at 12:25pm CDT

12:25pm: The Braves will not change Coppolella’s title and have no plans to hire a new GM, reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter links). Coppolella will have some of the duties of a normal GM, however. Atlanta is essentially grooming Coppolella to take over as the next GM in 2017 without directly saying as much, he adds.

9:58am: The Braves have officially announced the move, adding that Hart signed a three-year contract which will run through the 2017 season — the first in their new stadium, SunTrust Park.

“I’m delighted that John Hart has agreed to accept the position of President, Baseball Operations,” team president John Schuerholz said in a press release. “Our organization is now poised to move forward in the best possible manner to do the important work that lies ahead. John’s credentials speak for themselves. He has had great success as a baseball executive and demonstrated remarkable ability to construct championship teams. We are excited by John’s dynamic and positive leadership style and look forward to him leading our baseball operations.”

9:44am: Rosenthal tweets that the Braves are indeed likely to hire a GM to work with Hart.

9:32am: Interim Braves GM John Hart has now accepted an offer to take a permanent role with the club and will be soon be named as the new president of baseball operations, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link).

The Braves have been on the hunt for a new leader of their baseball ops department since firing longtime GM Frank Wren a month ago. Hart, who joined the team as a senior adviser last offseason, will now be tasked with that role. The former Indians GM had an immediate impact on the Braves, as he was said to have played a key role in working out long-term extensions for Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, Craig Kimbrel and Julio Teheran last winter. The 66-year-old Hart was one of the pioneers of pre-arbitration extensions in his days with Cleveland. Hart has also served as GM of the Rangers and an analyst for the MLB Network.

It remains to be seen whether or not Atlanta will name a GM to work underneath Hart, but there has been wide speculation that assistant GM John Coppolella is being groomed to take over as the next GM. It seems possible that he could rise to the GM role underneath Hart, with Hart serving as a veteran mentor to Coppolella as he acclimates himself to a larger role. Another widely speculated candidate for the GM position has been Royals GM Dayton Moore — a former AGM with the Braves. Of course, Moore has larger things on his mind with his current club just three games away from a World Series championship.

Share 37 Retweet 64 Send via email2

Atlanta Braves Newsstand

NL East Links: Kaneko, Cuddyer, Ricciardi, Braves
Main
Minor Moves: Mark Hamburger, Josh Stinson
26 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Jonathan Hayes

    6 years ago

    I suppose congratulations are in order for John Coppolella soon

    Like
    Reply
    • 14 Rocks

      6 years ago

      I certainly hope so.

      Like
      Reply
  2. IABrave

    6 years ago

    They better hire Coppolella!!!

    Like
    Reply
  3. Brian Baker

    6 years ago

    Hope the Braves don’t lose Coppolella to a job where he won’t have to get approval on all his deals.

    Like
    Reply
    • rundmc1981

      6 years ago

      If you can find a MLB club willing to give an AGM with no GM exp the keys to the kingdom, go right ahead. Everyone has to answer to someone.

      Like
      Reply
  4. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    6 years ago

    How many Presidents do the Atlanta Braves need?
    Plus, they are getting a new stadium as well.
    The Braves have too much going on in their little world down there!
    ¡Ay, caramba!

    Like
    Reply
    • rundmc1981

      6 years ago

      It’s the same setup that they have with the White Sox. Pres of the team and Pres of Baseball Ops. It gives Hart the power to be a mentor to the GM, outranking them, thus setting the stage for Coppolella. Maybe if we had that checks-and-balances system with Wren, someone would have spoken up against BJ Upton.

      Like
      Reply
    • TimotheusATL

      6 years ago

      Y’know, I could be wrong here, but doesn’t Dan Duquette also have some insanely long title name that really just means “de facto GM” as well?

      Like
      Reply
      • jb226

        6 years ago

        Executive Vice President – Baseball Operations.

        Honestly, the whole thing is nothing but a hierarchy. You see it in business all the time. Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, probably more I’m forgetting. It means almost nothing other than how the organization is constructed and who they needed to give a promotion and probably a little more money to keep happy. Brian Cashman is a Senior Vice President, for example, while doing the same job as Duquette, and Dan Jennings in Florida has no VP title that I’m aware of.

        In the same vein, having a number of presidents isn’t unusual either.

        Like
        Reply
  5. Baseball Lifer

    6 years ago

    What has Hart done, since his days in CLEV, to warrant a job like this???

    Like
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      6 years ago

      Spent five years as GM of the Rangers and another eight as a senior adviser there.

      Like
      Reply
      • Guest

        6 years ago

        If memory serves me correct, Hart’s Rangers team’s (4 seasons) were below .500, and he stepped down as the GM to avoid being fired/replaced.

        What exactly does a senior adviser do??? Since Daniels took over the team, I have heard of credit being given to Lavine, Boyd, Fagg, Preller, Service, Ryan, Blake, and other front office personel. Never in 8 years, I have not heard of John Hart’s name being linked to anything positve, when it comes to the Texas Rangers…

        I understand he an “advisor” but I really question how much (if anything) he was really involved.

        Like
        Reply
      • Baseball Lifer

        6 years ago

        311-337 W/L Record
        No Playoff Birth
        Horrible drafts
        Bankruptcy
        A-Rod’s 252M
        Chan Ho Park

        Often found at a local golf course…

        Like
        Reply
        • UK Tiger

          6 years ago

          Well, when you put it like that…it does seem rather an odd hire shall we say.

          I knew his tenure in Texas was hardly golden but not quite that bad.

          The world of baseball never ceases to amaze.

          Like
          Reply
          • Baseball Lifer

            6 years ago

            Hart was bad as the Rangers GM. To be honest, Tom Hicks was just as much at fault. As a “senior adviser” I just really question how much Hart was involved. Over the last 8 years or so, credit has been given to Daniels, Lavine, Boyd, Fagg, Preller, Service, Ryan, Blake, Greenberg, and others. Never once have I heard John Harts name (other than on the MLB Network).

            Like
            Reply
        • rundmc1981

          6 years ago

          Sour grapes? The Braves helped replenish your farm, now let us have this moment.

          Like
          Reply
          • Baseball Lifer

            6 years ago

            True and thank you. But that was Jon Daniels not John Hart.

            Best of luck with your hire.

            Like
            Reply
        • -C

          6 years ago

          Yeah, those drafts stunk.

          Teixeira
          Kinsler
          C.J. Wilson
          John Danks
          Feldman

          In reality, he had two great drafts and three pretty terrible drafts. But to say it was horrible is a gross overstatement.

          -C

          Like
          Reply
          • Baseball Lifer

            6 years ago

            Actually, Hart was hired in November of 2001, five months after Wilson and Teixeira were drafted in 2001.

            So if 3 notable big leaguers (Kinsler, Danks, and Feldman) equate great drafts, I stand corrected.

            Like
            Reply
            • -C

              6 years ago

              Nope, I stand corrected. 1 great draft, three bad ones.

              -C

              Like
              Reply
              • Baseball Lifer

                6 years ago

                In my mind, one 4 time all-star, and two mid rotation starters would not qualify as a great draft. Did Hart have great picks Danks (9th), Kinsler (496th) and Feldman (886th) in 2003? Yes, he did. But like I said in the thread above, Hart’s overall drafts were very weak. 9 of 191 drafted players wore a big league uniform at some point or another.
                2002 – Kam Loe & Jesse Chavez
                2003 – Danks, Kinsler, & Feldman
                2004 – Brandon Boggs
                2005 – John Mayberry, Taylor Teagarden, and Mike Kirkman

                Like
                Reply
  6. $21621694

    6 years ago

    “Hart you wanna be a GM?”
    “Don’t think so”
    “How about PRESIDENT of Baseball OPS?”
    “Give me 3 years eleventy billion and I’ll do it”

    Like
    Reply
    • Guest

      6 years ago

      His signature phrase when doing those top ten shows was “That’s what they look like.” I don’t know how many times he said that when referring to the likes of Giancarlo Stanton.

      Like
      Reply
  7. I Want My Bird

    6 years ago

    He thought about having to do another ‘prospect’ show on MLB network (well he’s a got a good arm, good makeup, needs to improve yada yada) and just couldn’t do it again.

    Like
    Reply
  8. tacko

    6 years ago

    Looks like Hart played his hand well in turning down the GM role.

    Like
    Reply
  9. Vandals Took The Handles

    6 years ago

    John mentored Josh Byrnes, Mark Shapiro and Dan O’Dowd.

    They’ve been going to the WS almost every year. On their teams tickets.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Astros To Sign Jake Odorizzi

    Brewers To Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Recent

    Pirates Acquire Duane Underwood, Designate Carson Fulmer

    AL West Notes: Seager, Bregman, Lowrie, Murphy

    COVID Notes: 3/7/21

    Nationals Release Jeremy Jeffress

    Offseason In Review: Pittsburgh Pirates

    Astros’ Forrest Whitley Suffering From Right UCL Sprain

    Quick Hits: Cishek, Souza, Herrera

    COVID Notes: 3/6/21

    Latest On Framber Valdez

    Jarred Kelenic To Miss Time After Suffering Knee Strain

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version