Wren on Braves: ‘I think we’re better’ after moves
Frank Wren understands the criticism but like his team. (AJC photo/Curtis Compton)
Frank Wren inherited a team once accustomed to postseasons. He has gone 0-for-2. It follows that while there are a lot of nice things that go with being the general manager of the Braves, one of them is not the benefit of the doubt.
The Braves are one month from the start of spring training. Wren’s winter roster makeover is pretty much complete after last week’s signing of Eric Hinske. We hear crickets.
Outgoing: Javier Vazquez, Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Adam Laroche, Kelly Johnson, Ryan Church.
Incoming: Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Melky Cabrera, Michael Dunn, prospect Arodys Vizcaino, Troy Glaus, Eric Hinske.
Elsewhere in the National League East: Philadelphia acquires pitcher Roy Halladay. New York signs outfielder Jason Bay.
New Braves first baseman Troy Glaus played in only 14 games with St. Louis last season because of a shoulder injury. (AJC photo/Phil Skinner).
Put it this way: Even if Wren had 14 division titles, five pennants and a World Series on his resume like his predecessor, John Schuerholz, people would still be slapping their foreheads in unison and going, “Huh?”
Wren understands this. But he’ll also tell you, “We think we’re way ahead of where we were a year ago at this time.”
And ahead of where the Braves were at the end of the 2009 season?
“Yes,” he said. “I think we’re better.”
Clip and save.
If the Braves turn out to be better in 2010 than in 2009, when they jumped from 72 to 86 wins but missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season, it will be because reclamation projects like Glaus and Wagner ran like refurbished classics and every one of Wren’s low-budget pickups like Cabrera, Saito and Hinske turned into players of significance.
But are those the questions you want to be asking yourself right now?
“I can’t control that,” Wren said when asked about the skeptics. “We’ve got good baseball people in this organization and we feel good about this group of players. I can’t get caught up in the media perception of what we’ve done to this point. The proof’s going to be when we take the field.”
The Braves tried to deal Derek Lowe. There was little interest because of his contract. The market for Vazquez also wasn’t tremendous, despite his great season. Still Wren defends the package of players he got from the Yankees (Cabrera, Dunn, Vizcaino).
He was forced to trade Lowe or Vazquez, of course, because he made the decision to re-sign Tim Hudson to a three-year extension, a decision he doesn’t regret.
“He’s clearly been a better pitcher than the other guys.”
Fans want to be wowed. That’s just not happening any more with the Braves. They don’t have the budget. They’re at about a $90 million payroll, and Wren said, “We feel fortunate where we are. That’s still pretty good, especially with declining attendance. We’re not a three million attendance club, which would allow us to do more.”
Glaus, once a solid 30-to-40 home run hitter, is coming off a major shoulder injury. (”It’s a calculated gamble,” Wren said.)
Wagner is not long removed from elbow surgery.
Cabrera is a career .269 hitter.
It’s like renovating with change from under the couch cushions. Still, that’s Wren’s responsibility. If these changes get the Braves back to the postseason, he should be lauded. But he says he’s not bothered by the early criticism.
“Roll it back a year ago – there wasn’t a whole lot of fanfare when we traded for Vazquez,” he said. “Two years ago, there’s wasn’t a lot of fanfare for Jair Jurrjens. People said, ‘Jair who?’ I’m looking forward to spring training. I think fans will warm up to this team.”
Maybe Jason Heyward makes the club out of spring training and covers up for the team’s deficiencies. Maybe Jordan Schafer rebounds. Maybe a rotation with Hudson, Jurrjens, Lowe and Tommy Hanson will win enough games on their own.
But if people aren’t just assuming success, Wren understands why.
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312 comments Add your comment
Vol4ever
January 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
Huddy signed and Javy traded………………..nuff said. 4th place and no fans in the stands, sounds like the 80s all over again.
Can we sign Rowland Office?
Nativebird
January 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
This team’s expectations are so low now that even the management is transparently admitting they cannot compete due to their budget caps.
The AJC really needs to start saving more ink for more exciting sport stories around here…like High school football.
Avery
January 10th, 2010
8:59 pm
It wouldn’t have been a bad offseason except for the fact we basically swapped our two stud receivers for two old broken down models.
PN
January 10th, 2010
9:01 pm
We have downgraded at 1B, Melky will be no better than Francoeur, our BP and SP are solid, but again, our offense will be anemic. We won’t win more than 85 games with this squad. We really, really need a big power bat at either 1B or OF and Wren failed to deliver. Wagner/Saito may be marginally better than Soriano/Gonzo, but since that was never an issue last year will not result in any extra W’s. We have taken a step backwards offensively. I hope we win 80.
4 jacks
January 10th, 2010
9:02 pm
Well, what would you expect Wrenn to say “yeah, we got screwed”, hell, I don’t so much blame Wrenn, I blame ownership. Losing Vazguez was just a horroble move, but if Lowe’s contract was anywhere resonable we could have moved him. My son and I only go to 8 to 10 games per year, so I do not have alot of room to complain, but I will say this, I won’t be going back to one more game as long as this is the way the Braves are going to operate, whoever’s fault is.
AIN'T Simon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 10th, 2010
9:15 pm
Jeff, I like this lineup better: Cabrera(LF), Escobar (SS), Jones (3B), Glaus (1B), McCann (C), Diaz (RF), Prado (2B), McLouth (CF)…………..McLouth has already proven he can’t hit, so give the switch-hitting Cabrera a chance………….oh yeah, 30-24 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
The Grinch
January 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
With the exception of replacing Vasquez in the lineup with Hudson (a clear downgrade, IMO, though we needed the prospects to compete in the future with no payroll), this IS a better team than it was last year. Give Wren the benefit of the doubt. He, unlike most of you, knows what he’s doing. Can’t you people even wait until Spring Training to start complaining? And if you don’t like the payroll, how about get your @$$ out to the ballpark, buy some concessions, and give Frank something to work with?
Sonny, you may be on to something with Chipper’s boots.
catfish31015
January 10th, 2010
9:23 pm
All hail the mighty Heyward. Jason Heyward is our only chance at, I repeat “ONLY CHANCE” at being a contender…..but he is a chance I’m looking forward to see pan out. If everyone else stays healthy and plays at or above potential and Heyward plays like he’s playing now, I give our team a good chance. Otherwise, no post-season for the Braves again this year. Sorry, guys.
reason
January 10th, 2010
9:24 pm
Could it be that the declining attendance was due to a non-productive, predicable team, that lack motivation and a desire to win and a manager who could care less. One who kept making the same mistakes over and over again.
Braves Fan
January 10th, 2010
9:28 pm
Frank Wren is crazy if he thinks he can sell the Atlanta fans on the bs he’s shoveling and most Atlanta fans may not be experts but we have seen first class teams and a first class organization , it’s just not here anymore and for those who says the Atlanta fans are crying must not have seen the prices at Turner Field and th aggravation to just see a game!
Dawgdad
January 10th, 2010
9:28 pm
It is always what you least expect that dooms the project. So, I figure the starting pitching will be the problem. Huddy can’t handle the workload, Lowe continues to decline, Jair suffers without his mentor, Javy, KK has ever fewer good games. But then again we don’t want to be too pessimistic, so lets all go to the games and watch Troy, Chipper, and BMac hit 40 homers each and our bullpen lock down the opposition and Bobby lead his charges to victory. At least we won’t have to watch balls bounce off Loaf’s big body this year. Things are looking up, or maybe not. Guess that is what the season is for, pay your money and take your chances.
catfish31015
January 10th, 2010
9:28 pm
It’s all Bob Horner’s fault!!!!!!!
beau vighn
January 10th, 2010
9:34 pm
I just think some people are putting way too much stock in Jason Heyward. The kid may turn out to be an allstar but who knows until he has some time to season. I fear he is being annointed the Braves savior and there is no way anyone could carry that burden.
willie martinez
January 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
reason, i think those are good reasons.
VinceVanGo
January 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Let bounce around how the starting rotation should look. I know that spring training will determine the order but based on last year and Hudson’s comeback I would go with Jurrgens as the No. 1, Hanson #2, Lowe #3, Hudson #4(to bring the arm along slowly) and Kawakami as the # 5. If anybody falls or flops go to Medlen or Minor. I also think that the Braves have enough Punch & Judy hitters to hang in there, especially if they get some pop from Chipper, McCann & Glaus, and if Heyward takes over right field and can bop about 20 or so homers. Should be an interesting year.
Kid me Not
January 10th, 2010
9:42 pm
Clusters….We been missing your humor. Thanks for blogging and making this world better and on such a low budget!
The Whole Truth
January 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
The Braves are a second tier team.. Get rid of Chppers and Kawakami’s salary and you save about $40,000,000.
Wren has a quick and sharp knife with a weak organization.. I don’t particurally like him.
The Grinch
January 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
That’s a little better, Vince.
dagnabit
January 10th, 2010
9:49 pm
I have in years past watched every braves game on TV. It was live and I knew I could watch with with my sons and later my grandsons without being embarrassed by anything unexpected. But when steroids showed up, everything changed. I have this game so much. And now it’s being destroyed from within. I am so disappointed.
Cecil34
January 10th, 2010
9:50 pm
Man, Wren better hope all the duct tape, band aids and bailing wire hold together for this bunch he has assembled….sheesh….
Well he is on record – and he should be fired at the end of the season if his estimation does not come to pass….
I will wait until then for final determination.
But also for the record, it sure looks shaky….
I get insulted by those who want to blame Braves’ woes on attendance – friends, if you want attendance, stop charging an arm and a leg to go in the first place….and at least look like you are trying…..
I knew at some point excuses would start flying about “limits” to the payroll…be a long time before that line of thinking ever goes away.
njbraves
January 10th, 2010
9:55 pm
Maybe if more people showed up at games they would spend more money. Atlanta is a terrible sports town.
Cecil34
January 10th, 2010
10:00 pm
And while I am still awake I will throw this out there – next week is when the real NFL playoffs begin….
This week is a prime example of the watering down and extending the playoffs for $$$ purposes for teams that don’t even deserve to be in there in the first place….Jees, 51 to 45? Please! Where is the defense?
Ok, I can sleep now….
ScottyMac
January 10th, 2010
10:03 pm
Enter your comments here
J-MAN
January 10th, 2010
10:05 pm
The question I want specifically asked to Frank Wren is do you seriously think this team is really better than the team that took the field at the end of last season. B/C he could be talking about the begining of last season in comparision to the begining of this season, I want some specifics.
phil
January 10th, 2010
10:09 pm
This team is a joke. Third place finish at best. But you can’t blame Wren. H’s doing the best he can with what he’s been giving. it is an absolute joke, that this franchise, who has been making a LOT of money, even over the last few years, won’t spend the money on talent that they need to. Here is what is going to happen, they will not make the playoffs agains this year. And then, cut payroll again. You’ve made this franchise a joke again. Then the only fans showing up are fans of the of the other team. A city the size of ATLANTA, with a baseball franchise acting like they are small market! I for one, will no longer go to games this coming year, and mty fahter has Hank Aaron seats for the season!. I did it thru the 80’s and 90’s, but no more. Here comes a decade of no playoffs, much less world series. In a market this size????? What a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’d think this was the Tulsa Braves!
Jeff
January 10th, 2010
10:11 pm
Hey, you morons who keep saying “shut up and go to the park, you didn’t support the team when they were winning 100 games, etc. etc. etc.”…. HORSE S***! We Atlanta fans PACKED the park for well over 15 YEARS! And now, in a tough economy, management wonders why we don’t get 55,000 fans for a meaningless August day game against the Pirates, and the general manager wants to start blaming US??? It’s not OUR fault… put out a product worth watching and we’ll go WATCH THEM. A team of LaRoches and Garrett Andersons and Ryan Churches and Derek Lowes isn’t going to inspire ANYONE.
Wren, get a friggin clue. This is big boy baseball. Walk into your bosses’ offices and DEMAND more payroll options. If you are having to manage with one arm tied behind your back, is it worth it at all?
This team will not win more than 80 or 84 games, mark it down. This team can’t hit for power and our bullpen will be a disaster (why did we give up two bulldog-type guys like Gonzo and Soriano for an aging duo like Wagner and Saito?) Every one of the friggin’ guys that Wren has signed for traded for over the last two years has been Rico Brogna all over again.
This team has two legit superstars: McCann and Chipper, and Chipper is in the autumn of his career. Hanson and Jurrjens are too young to call superstars yet. And we have not signed a FA superstar since Tex, and that was an 11-month rental job.
I have one question that NOBODY can answer for me yet: WHERE is our minor league pitching? Where is the next Glavine? Why do we not have a half-dozen superstar arms in AA and AAA? Besides Hanson, what pitching prospects do we have that the rest of the league COVETS? Why do all these OTHER teams have those guys they groom through their system: Lincecum, Sabathia, Halladay, Hamels, Lester, etc. And besides Heyward and Freeman, what stud position players do we have in the minor leagues? Since Frenchy and McCann, guys that have come up through our system and contributed have been few and far between.
We need to see if our minor league guys are getting properly prepared for the majors… we need to be in the running for star free agents EVERY YEAR… and at some point we HAVE to sign some superstars like Bay or Halladay. Sorry, as much as I love our guys, a lineup with Prado, McLouth, Hudson, Wagner and Chipper is not going to win a World Series.
ScottyMac
January 10th, 2010
10:16 pm
I’m not here to say that these moves will completey take us out of the running, but just look at the moves he was trying to make last year:
Griffey Jr = .214 Avg and 19 HR; 117 games
Peavey = 101 IP; 3.45 ERA; 16 games
Furcal = .269 Avg; .710 OPS (not to mention a 13 Million Dollar contract)
Burnett = 4.04 ERA; 13-9; 195 SO; (Pretty solid season, but for 16.5 Million??)
All of these players have something in common… It’s Wren’s mantra… damaged goods can have value but carry high risk. Just like the many ‘wishes’ he had above that would have buried the braves before the All-Star break last year.
Geezer
January 10th, 2010
10:18 pm
I am so glad I live in Rome and can see a great Class A team, where players bust their butts every game to try and improve. The Atlanta Braves under Frank Wren have become a collection point for second rate, walking wounded retreads…..and then he has the gall to blame the fans…what an absolute bunch of horse hockey and Frank Wren is full of it…..
Sonny Clusters
January 10th, 2010
10:20 pm
This Clusters can’t help but think about how the Braves ended the season with 6 losses at home and most of them against the last place Nationals. They had no fight, no pride. We lost some use for them watching that mess. We was always playing hard when we was playing ball.
Jay
January 10th, 2010
10:24 pm
Frank Wren will not last long with this team.
Our offense was our biggest weakness after last year, but that hasnt been addressed. Our three biggest power threats will have an off day every five days (McCann), be hurt one every other week (Chipper), or being off a major injury AND be switching positions (Glaus). Our Outfield still is lacking speed and power. We don’t know what we’ll get from Prado.
Another thing no one has talked about is how this team quit last year when they were knocked out of contention. I dont care what excuses they have, these guys are supposed to be professionals and they are being paid millions. The quit-job makes me think the on-the-field leadership is lacking.
This team isn’t going to the postseason next year. Wren has done a crappy job. What bothers me more about him is how much he tries to spin these bargin-bin moves that we know arent going to work.
hal
January 10th, 2010
10:24 pm
when wren took over we were so close to contending we traded away the future for a quick fix of epic proportions lol and frank can deal with the aftermath he has at least rebuilt part of the minor league syatem from the baren wasteland he interhited to this gropu of bloggers mesiah the genius js
Frank Martin Hits Player | AXI
January 10th, 2010
10:37 pm
[...] Wren On Braves: 'I Think We're Better' After Moves | Jeff Schultz Why are we not a player for one of these Cubans…When Ted was writing the checks we never let money stand in the way of putting together a good competitive team. Now we are just a heading on a business ledger in Colorado. . Jeff; It’s a shame that a… [...]
alex
January 10th, 2010
10:50 pm
hudson and hanson for jorge campillo and jojo reyes our staff is 1995 dirty
Poorbrave
January 10th, 2010
10:54 pm
Man whats that crap Wrens smoking………..if he thinks the fans are so stupid to believe his BS. The Braves will be lucky to win 80 games and finish 4th. Who wants to go to park and watch that crap? For2 years he’s going to get a power hitter…more lies. Braves have a if at 1st. a if in Billy W.. a if in RF… a if in LF… a if at 3rd(injuries)… a if in 2 relief pitchers. and a lame duck manager. A DA GM. Another year of half a@@ baseball…get ready for the Fun.
Bobby Cox
January 10th, 2010
10:56 pm
How about a Melky/Diaz platoon in left. I realize Diaz hit .328 but Melky needs some at bats. You know me, I gotta platoon somebody. I pleaded with Frank not to let Kelly go. Can’t give up on Kelly. I hope Wagner & the Jap can give me 80 appearances each. I don’t like seeing our starters go more than 6 innings. Duh.
Branch Rickey
January 10th, 2010
10:59 pm
Braves have had no offense since Schuerholz gave away Justice, Grissom & Dye in Spring Training 1997. Yeah, they reached the World Series in 1999 (got swept) and won more meaningless “divisional championships”, but look at the lack of speed & power since 1997. This organization does not produce great hitters.
DAVE
January 10th, 2010
11:01 pm
Chef, you’re 6:05 was hillarious.
Only time will tell, but I like this team. Not fond of Melky if he’s a starter, but as a 4th OF, okay. Obviously, Wren is counting on Glaus making a comeback, but if he does, we’ll be singing the praises of what a steal he is at that price.
Sonny Clusters
January 10th, 2010
11:06 pm
We was never meant to be a Buck Commander because we don’t kill little animals with big guns. When we was watching a ball game one time we saw Randy Johnson throw a pitch and a little bird flew by at the wrong time and that ball hit that little bird and that little bird exploded into a million pieces! That must be a little like being a Buck Commander and talking on little walkie talkies to each other out in the woods and knowing that at any time something can walk by, or fly by, and you can kill it and have it stuffed to hang on the wall. We was wondering what they might say to each other . .
“Uh, come in Rochy.”
“Yeah, Chipper ten four.”
“Uh, you got any candy?”
Whopper Dawg
January 10th, 2010
11:10 pm
Don’t think we are better. If you are trading the third place finisher in tehe Cy Young polling in a pitching starved major league baseball, you should have your rear end kicked. Is his house for sell, I’d like to see the price.
Rufio
January 10th, 2010
11:16 pm
Wren and the new ownership have not helped this organization. When Ted ran it at least there was some ego to get that last home run hitter, pitcher, GM or Coach. We got rid of some ball players that put fans in the seats. I still think they made a huge mistake letting Francouer go to NY and Jeff will make the Braves pay for that mistake. I watch him since he was a freshman at Parkview and he is nothing but a class person. He was the heart and Mccan was the soul and future of the Braves. I think there was a lot more Francouer jerseys in the stands than Chipper.
I was more encouraged last year before spring training than this one. Javy will win more games than a right fielder who has world series experience. You trade a first baseman with zero errors in a year or ever as a Brave and trade him to get a hitting first baseman who hits .325 for you and gives spark to the team chemistry for a could be if he feels OK player. Also,
Wren screwed two icons over. He should have made deals with Smoltz and Glavine. They both should have had Braves uniforms on when they retired.
No, we are not better off than last year……….We are not the same organization as we were in 1991 through 2005.
Tony
January 10th, 2010
11:18 pm
The Braves will trade Heyward, just watch. This is a discount team now. Just enough to get people to the games. They want in between players, almost washed up players. Sore arm pitchers, player comming off injuries etc. This team in now like BIG LOts , discontinued items
Art Vandalay
January 10th, 2010
11:25 pm
Don’t blame it on the players on the field. If you think this team is not better than one in April last year that was relying on HUGE contributions from Kelly Johnson, Francoeur, Schaffer, and Kotchman than your Baseball IQ is about a 12. This is a solid Baseball team. Dont blame attendance on the product, fact of that matter is people here don’t REALLY care about the Braves. You will pack Sanford Stadium every week with 90,000 to see a sub par coach take the field with the scraps left over from, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee en route to an 8-5 record, but the Braves had a very real chance at the Wild Card in October and Turner Field was still empty. If you showed up when they were good you’d have an argument but good or bad i’m still usually alone at the ball park.
Art Vandalay
January 10th, 2010
11:29 pm
And anyone that can keep a straight face while making any sort of argument for the production of Jeff Francoeur has no business being anywhere near a baseball stadium. Jeff Francoeur is perhaps the biggest bust in the history of the Major Leagues. If Melky is a 4th outfielder (which i agree he is) than Francoeur is a AA lifer at best. They’d be better off sticking Mitch Jones out there they’d hit for about the same average but atleast he’d jack 25-30 HRs. Jeff Francoeur killed more rallies than any player I have ever seen.
SL3
January 10th, 2010
11:30 pm
Big gamble with too many old players. If they stay healthy it might turn out well, but that is a big if.
ArkyTech
January 10th, 2010
11:34 pm
What people aren’t realizing is that last year we did not start the year with McClouth (and he was NEVER healthy), did not have a full season with Hudson, McCann played the season with bad vision, and Chipper had the worst season of his career – and still won 86 games. So in doing nothing, the Braves would theoretically be better. And if Glaus can be a .260, 25-30 HR guy this team will be waaaay better than the one that won 86 games last year.
Art Vandalay
January 10th, 2010
11:40 pm
Fact of the matter is most Atlantans don’t support the Braves but they complain about the moves. The Braves survive on a few real fans and their rep as a regional team, I would be interested to see how much tourism accounts for Braves attendance probably a huge percentage. Real Braves fans aren’t in Atlanta, Atlantans have turned in to a bunch of whiners about everything.
so cal Brave
January 10th, 2010
11:43 pm
Vazquez was in the last year of his contract, we were gonna lose him and get nothing in return anyways, because if he has a good year he’ll command more money than what we can give him or if he has a down year (like he usually does after a good one) we’re not gonna resign him anyways. It also makes no sense to sign a power bat OF or 1B on a long term high salary contract when we have Heyward and Freeman coming up this or next year at the latest. Wren is obviously thinking past this year and preparing for the future, which looks very bight.
I think our line up should be:
Prado (2B)
McLouth (CF)
Escobar (SS)
McCann (C)
Jones (3B)
Glaus (1B)
Diaz (RF)
Cabrera (LF)
Frank Wren
January 10th, 2010
11:45 pm
I won’t even get started on Melky Cabrera.
I absolutely raped the Yankees i that deal.
Quote from a Yankee fan
Just like the Yankees to give up on a pre-peak player for a marginal upgrade. Time to show them Melkman! Go out and OPS .800 in the weaker league and get yourself a nice free agent deal coming out of your peak seasons.
alan
January 11th, 2010
12:12 am
So FW ststed that the Braves don’t draw 3 mill in attendance. The Braves would draw a lot better if they had a good team. FW said a few weeks ago the team had about 8 mill saved. The braves are running on players that are just coming up but mostly on the injured and elderly. Maybe when BC retires they might change the coaching staff. I went to several games last season against my better judgement, but this season my wife is refusing to attend until the Braves are better. In the meantime BOYCOTT THE BRAVES until they begin to win. If you come in second, whats the difference you still lose. This isn’t like a horserace with win-show-place. It’s win or nothing.
MaJo
January 11th, 2010
12:13 am
Wren went shopping in the bargain bin for these guys. A bunch of too-old and/or too-injured guys that nobody else wanted. Good luck with that Frank….