Wren on Braves: ‘I think we’re better’ after moves

Braves general manager Frank Wren looks at the team's roster and sees improvement. (AJC photo/Curtis Compton)

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 only XX games last season.

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.

312 comments Add your comment

TheAntiMe

January 11th, 2010
12:28 am

“We’re not a three million attendance club, which would allow us to do more.”Frank Wren

OK, Mr. GM, so the fans shouldn’t complain that the Braves did so little to upgrade the team this offseason because they (the fans) didn’t sell out all of the home games last season.

So what he is saying is that if the fans would have done their part the folks at Liberty Media would have stepped up and tried to sign Matt Holliday or Jason Bay? Nice try, Frank, but I’m not buying that one for a second. I don’t believe that they would have even tried to sign a more moderately priced free agent like Johnny Damon.

so cal Brave

January 11th, 2010
12:34 am

Wren HAD to get those so called “bargain bin” guys. Would you rather that he had signed LaRoche to a 3 year deal at 10 Mil per? or Damon to a 3 year deal at 12 Mil per? or Bay to a 4 year deal at 16 Mil per? That’s crazy! None of those guys are worth that kind of money. There are no other options out there. But we now have the option of swinging a mid season trade if we’re close to the playoffs and take in more salary if needed.

tlj

January 11th, 2010
12:36 am

I didn’t like the trade of Vasquez but it’s not as bad as everyone thinks. First of all we didn’t trade Vasquez for Milky, we traded him to open a spot for Hudson. We also got a high rated pitcher, a possible lefty loogy and Carbera who I believe will do better than a people anticipate. Hudson will not be as good as Vasquez last year but guess what neither will Vasquez. It was a career year, he will probably have a good year but nothing like last year. Hudson will win 12 to 15 games and provide a mid 3 era. Last year everyone complained about trading a good propsect (Flowers) for Vasquez a terrible pitcher who could not pitch in big games and now all of a sudden he has become Cy Young.

I don’t agree with everything Wrenn has done but he is limited to the payroll and it appears he has done as much as possible. I won’t discuss this team potential versus last years but I think we have the potetial to win 85 to 90 games and get in the playoffs.

We have a great farm system and I believe the future of this team is very bright. Let’s get behind our braves.

so cal Brave

January 11th, 2010
12:54 am

Bay is gonna struggle big time at the new Mets stadium, his power numbers are gonna be way down. As for our line up, we may not have a 30 HR guy, but we have 5 players that could very well hit close to 20 or more HRs (Escobar, Jones, McCann, McLouth, Diaz) plus close to 15 from Prado and Cabrera. Not to mention 5 players that could hit .300. Plus anything we can get from Glaus would be a bonus. I’m not worried about our offense. Our defense may struggle at the corners, but it should be solid (not great) everywhere else.

Coach (2011 or Bust)

January 11th, 2010
1:11 am

I read Grinch’s post at 9:20 and winked at his ignorance :)

Hudson an upgrade or downgrade over Vazquez? Lets review.

Tim Hudson 148-78 and ranked 8th in career ERA and 9th in career wins among all active starting pitchers. His season average? 16-9 with an ERA of 3.49 and Tim Hudson has yet to have a losing record in eleven ML seasons.

Javier Vazquez 142-139 and ranked 43rd in career ERA and 12th in career wins among all active starting pitchers. Vazquez has posted five losing records out of the twelve years he has pitched. His seasonal average?13-12 with an ERA 4.19

So who was the better pitcher last season? Vazquez, not doubt about it.

And who is the better pitcher career wise and in the projectable future? Tim Hudson and there is ZERO doubt it.

That said, Frank Wren made the correct choice in resigning Hudson for three more years at bargain of 9 million per season. In fact, it was the highlight of the off season and few recognized the occasion.

Matt the Brave

January 11th, 2010
2:05 am

While I understand that we’re aren’t going to be the people who can chase a Jason Bay at this time, I don’t understand why the Braves keep targeting people who are just leaving their prime (other than Cabrera, but he’s a bit of an enigma…) rather than guys who might be reaching their prime in a year or two. This team is not built to win the World Series this season. It’s built to win around 85 games which makes it very sellable in the next year for Liberty Media. There are no bloated contracts other than the Lowe one, there is talented starting pitching coming up, and there will be some power in the lineup depending on how Heyward and Freeman develop. But this season is going to be one filled with stop-gaps until 2011. I just hope it’s not the perpetual building up to a World Series run like so many other teams seem to be doing in Major League Baseball.

Furman Bisher

January 11th, 2010
2:13 am

Furman Bisher

January 11th, 2010
2:14 am

Can somebody help me change my bedpan?!

I just dropped a Cleveland Steamer in my pants!

Patrick-A true fan

January 11th, 2010
2:52 am

First I must say that about half of the peple who post on here are 100% morons and probably don’t like baseball anyway. They know little about baseball and they would n’t be happy if the Braves actually made it to the playoffs again..I am glad they hide behind a keyboard. Wren has made some moves that I am excited about. Hey at this point prior to spring training it’s anyones game. Last year was a good year..the boys made it interesting the final few weeks. Hey to sweep the Cardinalas at home with a Tim Hudson homrun..CLASSIC.!! This team will win they are better than the 2007 and 2008 team. I believe if Hanson starts the season with the team the win totals would have found us in the Wild Card hunt longer. I am a fan 100% I can’t play the game at the level of anyone of the guys on the field..so I cheer when they do well and I am ticked off when they don’t. Wren diwhat he feels is the best for the team now and the future. Glaus in this lineup is going to be awesome..Wagner closing games…solid. I say we fight it out with the Phillies and Marlins all year and we pick up the needed piece at the trade deadline..its 162 games..not one has been played. I will be attending and cheering..at least I am man enough to watch the game and have a real opinion based on truely following the team..not following the ” used to be bandwagon fans” that post garbage about the team because they think it makes them sound knowledgable and cool. Go Braves!!!

scottbravesfan

January 11th, 2010
3:21 am

Maybe if the losers in atlanta actually supported the team they could have a bigger payroll. But Atlanta doesn’t support anything. Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Braves, it doesn’t matter.

TPM

January 11th, 2010
3:31 am

I’m not sold on this team. You have guys at 1st base and 3rd base that have had troubles staying on the field in the post steriods era. I think the bullpen took a step back from last year. Wagner has not proved that he is healthy enough to close games day after day and nobody knows how old Saito really is.

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gayle

January 11th, 2010
4:23 am

Branch Rickey is right on. This ship started sinking a long time ago. Starting with the Leyritz home run in the ‘96 Series – the Braves are 0-8 in World Series games since. That trade in ‘97 unloading Dye, Grissom and Justice just killed this team. I won’t defend Wren, but all this started long before he came here. But then again, he isn’t doing much to reverse the trend.

Three million fans? That might happen the day this team makes a sincere effort to field a winning team. Until then, we’ll have plenty of seats for the Cubs and Cardinals fans when their teams come to town.

RA

January 11th, 2010
5:55 am

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Next time the Braves get sold, I hope they go to a Tycoon, not a corporation. (If Arthur Blank had gotten this team, you better believe that they would have brought in some marque talent by now…)

RA

January 11th, 2010
5:57 am

I’ve got to go with gayle. In order to get increased revenue at the gate, you’ve got to put a superior product on the field. It’s a simple formula, but it never fails to work.

Angus

January 11th, 2010
6:29 am

It’s really hard to say if we are better than last year or not – too many “ifs”.

The offense should come out of the gate better, but we really don’t know what we’re going to get out of McClouth, Prado, Glaus, Chipper, Infante, or Diaz – could range from feast to famine for all of them.

The defense probably takes a step back. Cabrera > Anderson, but Diaz < Frency and Glaus <<< Kotchman/LaRoche.

Pitching – we lost our ace. Can Hanson replace him?

We won 86 last year despite quitting with six to play. We absolutely should be in the playoff race this year – and that's really all you can hope for with a $90 mil payroll.

space monkey

January 11th, 2010
6:30 am

The real gamble is Hudson. He was not very impressive last year. Didn’t do a very good job of missing bats, BTW, what’s the point of making the playoffs. A team this weak is sure to get rolled. Baseball desperately needs a salary cap. Or does everybody really want to see the Yankees and their $300 million payroll roll another somewhat strong National League contender this year. Let’s face it, the Phillies were by far the best team in the NL and they were so overmatched by the Yankees that they looked like a Little League team. MLB must have a salary cap. Or it must start a AAAA minor league for teams like Kansas City and Pittsburgh and soon Atlanta. Game over.

MitchC

January 11th, 2010
6:42 am

Jeff, Philly is hands down the team the beat in this division. They have an awesome lineup, have been to the last two World Series, and then added Halliday. They might have the division put away by Memorial Day, because I see no one else in the East who can compete with them.

As for the Braves, we have a lot of “ifs”. Wagner used to be one of the best closers in the game, but he’s 38, and coming off major surgery. Glaus is a question mark, and Lowe is another year older. Not to mention, what happens if Tommy Hanson has a soph slump?

The rotation has the potential to be solid, if Hanson doesnt have a soph slump, and if Lowe rebounds and wins 15 to 18 games, with a sub 4 ERA.

I’m hoping for the wild card, but I don’t know if that would be a stretch.

Best case, close to 90 wins, and a shot for the wild card. Worst case, we fall flat on our faces like we did in 2008, and lose 90 games. Realistically, as much as I hate to say it, we will probably be around 500, and not make much noise in the playoff race, which would be a very disappointing showing, in Bobby’s last year.

I dont think Mr Wren is being very realistic in his assessment of the team.

kevin

January 11th, 2010
6:44 am

why we show up pay see chokin ws games wildcard lost and that fans got tired of Bobby cox pickin his nose n blowin….Now we have Wren sayin we better at what nothin… We have a Manager who could not coach a wet t-shirt at hooters a Hittin coach who could not get little league hitters to hit..that and fact we dearly hope chipper jones still not worryed over findin a dead man at his ranch are lead off man can lead.futher more i get u season tickets for 2012 now unless Wren trades for lou Pinella n cash send bobby to cubs where he can sing Take me out to the ball game in HD while pickin nose…

kevin

January 11th, 2010
6:48 am

Oh and cox will trade hanson by mid season cause that cox n wren related …oh and we be in 4th this year keep ahead of Nats for last….and folks JF will inprove hittin n power and be 340 hitter with 34 homeruns n 124 rbi by all star game in Ny and they be in first followed by phillies n Marlins n that team cox claims he coach n the Nats who are gettin better…..bye bobby cox i sure hope U and wren are fired at all-star break!

Angus

January 11th, 2010
6:52 am

We won 86 last year despite quitting with six to play. We absolutely should be in the playoff race this year – and that’s really all you can hope for with a $90 mil payroll.

The offense should come out of the gate better, but we really don’t know what we’re going to get out of McClouth, Prado, Glaus, Chipper, Infante, or Diaz – could range from feast to famine for all of them.

The defense probably takes a step back. Melky > Anderson, but Glaus < Kotchman/LaRoche and Diaz < Frenchy.

Pitching? It's all about Hudson to me – he needs to be a solid #2/3 all year.

Angus

January 11th, 2010
6:54 am

check, check, 1-2, 1-2, is this thing on?

MikeY

January 11th, 2010
7:00 am

Braves have 40 players on their 40 man roster, prior to Hinske’s contract being finalized. Question: who will be dropped from the 40 man roster to make room for Hinske?

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 11th, 2010
7:16 am

i dont see how the roster has improved. still no big bat and no dominant closer. both additions in the bullpen have not been proven yet- looks like another long year.

Baba O'Riley

January 11th, 2010
7:24 am

THIS is the finished product???These are the “big bats” we were to acquire? We just designated Ryan Church for assignment, then we trade our most productive pitcher for a Ryan Church clone? OK, all you FW defenders, SPIN IT!

Rusty Nail

January 11th, 2010
7:34 am

Three Million in attendance?? Three words Mr. Wren- Location, Location and Location.

Bill

January 11th, 2010
7:47 am

Man, Braves fans are really spoiled. They were in the hunt for a playoff spot very late in the season. To listen to the comments here, you would think they were terrible. I have lived where the team had the worst record in baseball. When was the last time the Braves had a losing season. I don’t know of any team that can afford what it takes to be a dynasty anymore except for the Yankees. OK, the Red Sox can afford it, if they didn’t have the Yankees to contend with.

PRESTON HANNATIZED

January 11th, 2010
7:56 am

Attendance is down because the team isn’t winning. The marketing effort is FAIL. The radio ads suck: I hate the guy’s voice and the whole pitch is off key. We are supposed pay extortionate parking & peanut prices and just ignore a dreadful expansion lineup (think Royals) and come out to the games to cheer the manager’s last season???
The only good news is with Chip doing the TV maybe more fans will go to games instead!

clint ellison

January 11th, 2010
8:01 am

The Braves finally lost it with me. They are worse this year at every level—starting pitching, bullpen, first base. They trade a gold glove, 25 homer first baseman for a reclamation project. They unload two great relievers for a 72 year old man with a bad arm and a lukewarm set-up man. They now have something like 14 outfielders, all of whom are bench guys on other teams. They got a once great third baseman who now only plays when he feels like it (about 1/3 of time) because he has lost his passion for the game. It’s a sad sight. And then we have Mr Wren waxing optimistic about the coming year. My God.

Tami

January 11th, 2010
8:01 am

The 2010 Braves are better than the 2009 Braves? Based on what, Mr. Wren?? You traded away our best pitcher. You made the bone-headed move to acquire Lowe with that ridiculous package. You gave away LaRoche a season too early, etc., etc.

I had a feeling that the team would not be able to trade away Lowe waaay early on, but kept hoping I was wrong. We’re still looking for that ‘big bat’ the team is supposed to get in return for the great sacrifices in trading away some of the stellar starting pitching. Glaus and Wagner were available for a reason — they’re on the downslope. I welcome being proven wrong here, but to me, this 2010 season is setting up to be more of the same — mediocre with splashes of brilliance thrown in too late in the season to mean anything.

Atticus

January 11th, 2010
8:11 am

This team may be slightly better but that is NOT on paper, he is saying that IF a number of things occur–Heyward coming up and playing big, Glaus and Chipper having good years and Wagner being the closer Wren wants him to be. The Phillies got much better. This team could compete for a WC if all the stars align but my high a mighty franchise has become a low rent team.

Atticus

January 11th, 2010
8:18 am

The declining attendance is due to 4 years and no playoffs. Yes everyone is spoiled that is reality but is it really realistic to pay double the ticket price for half the value? You get a bat and make the playoffs and it will be a 3 million attendance team but your front office sucks and we are sold one big commercial.

No Way Jorge

January 11th, 2010
8:27 am

Wren is a PUTZ!!!!

T-Town Braves Fan

January 11th, 2010
8:27 am

Most Brave fans are like spoiled children, because you just can’t please them. They cry when they don’t make the playoffs, cry when they make the playoffs but don’t make the WS, cry if they make the WS but didn’t win it and would probably cry if they won it but didn’t sweep it. They believe just like the Yankee fans that they should win each and every WS. But this is where the similarities end, Atlanta is not New York, we have to over pay players to come here.

It doesn’t matter what he says, Lowe came here because (as we now know) we over paid him. If we wanted Holliday to play for us, we would have had to over pay him. Why? Our fans. Players want to go where they feel they can win and are supported, not bitched at. You had better believe they read the blogs of the teams/Cities that are competing for them. Money goes only so far.

Don’t support the team and don’t go to the games that will teach them. When Mac, JJ, Hansen and Heywood leave for FA we will bitch and cry, but can anyone blame them when there is no support? And what would the mood of Atlanta be if the Braves moved to another City? Don’t think it can happen? Talk to the LA football fans, they didn’t support their team, and team moved the Rams to St. Louis. Atlanta is loser-ville, because of our fans (or lack of them).

squintyeyed

January 11th, 2010
8:30 am

squintyeyed

January 11th, 2010
8:39 am

wow guys I hate to say it but braves fans are becoming some of the worst fans to have……a few reality checks……..we have shown that makeing more wins and playoffs does not mean more fans will come out. Last year when we were in the thick of it with 3 freakin home games left and we didnt come close to selling out. From 1999-2005 the attendance fell from 3.2 mil to 2.3 mil…despite winning 90 games and winning the division. you guys who say you would come out if we made the team you would are full of it.

klemcudtlhopr

January 11th, 2010
8:39 am

headlines are deceiving, it’s not about the talent, it’s about the $$$. I do not see the team as better talent, its just one big financial statement for Wren and his business boys.I think it is going to be a long season with many empty seats at Turner. I will pray for Chipper and Mac to stay healthy and have big years. That is my hope.

tim

January 11th, 2010
8:39 am

This is just Public Relations BS. You don’t trade a CY Young candidate for Melky Cabrerra and an injury prone 1st baseman who’s best years were years ago and become a better team.

fordcobra

January 11th, 2010
8:40 am

Mr. Wren says if the Braves had 3 million attendance we could do more. Well I see it as if they don’t do more they likely will not see even close to 3 million. Winning brings fans not losers. I hope all of the restoration projects pan out, I would much rather be wrong myself than the Braves management.

columinst

January 11th, 2010
8:44 am

John Schuerholz inherited a team accustomed to last place. 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 halfway through spring training. Schuerholz’ roster makeover is pretty much complete after last week’s signing of Otis Nixon, a career bench player expected to play everyday in center field. Add that longshot to the two big winter signings, third baseman Terry Pendleton, coming off a season in which he hit .221 and going into the downside of his career, and first baseman Sid Bream, a Pirates castoff who averages 15 home runs, .265, and it looks like the beginning of another 14 straight last-place finishes.

fordcobra

January 11th, 2010
8:45 am

I think the only way we will ever get the $ needed to get the quality players is through local ownership, and that probably will not happen.

BuckCommander

January 11th, 2010
8:47 am

Everyone wants to be a Buck Commander!!

squintyeyed

January 11th, 2010
8:48 am

Hanson and JJ are the Glavine/Smoltz combo of old……Norton isnt the only addition by subtraction from last years club……Jo Jo, KJ, Frenchy, Schafer, and Norton is 5 players on a 25 man roster that were dead weight. We were still in it until the very end….bc of pitching…..you know, the pitching that our GM said last offseason he was going to get…….we dont have more money to spend bc our fans suckas……really, you could take away Jo Jo and comp and build a real rotation, make a trade for a very respectable CF when we needed him bad, and land us LaRoach only for the his hot stretch at the end (genius) and the fans would still say “you payed too much for that 15 game winner (Lowe), I’m not paying to go see you play.

mmck

January 11th, 2010
8:50 am

The Bravos WILL be better this year for one reason… Bobby Cox will no longer be able to continually send Greg Norton up to the plate to pinch hit!

squintyeyed

January 11th, 2010
8:53 am

pls guys…..either wait until we lose some games before you count us out, or go somewhere else. last years you guys were pulling the same crapp bcof Smoltz and Furcal and whatever, you guys coulnted us out before spring training and we damnear made the playoffs

Ron H

January 11th, 2010
8:56 am

Quit your b!tch!n, people. This is the team we’ve got. If you don’t like it, go root for one you do like…

While I’m not super enthused with what we’ve got, it’s who I’ll be rooting for in 2010. Not much more we can do at this point…

Realist

January 11th, 2010
8:56 am

The biggest problem with the Braves organization is there is no accountability under Liberty Media, except to the bottom line. As long as the Braves break even, no one at Liberty is ever going to ask Frank Wren, “Why didn’t you make the playoffs? Why did you make this trade or that trade? Why did you sign this guy, who is clearly past his prime?” If the Braves win 70 games or 90 games next year, Wren’s job will be safe either way, and Bobby Cox will once again get to choose if he wants to retire or not. After the tax break runs out, and Liberty finally sells the team, maybe then we’ll start to have some accountability in the front office.

Americus Fan

January 11th, 2010
8:59 am

What year is the capital gain exchange (stock swap)up so that Liberty Media can sale the Braves to a local owner without having to pay capital gains……like Blank

Don

January 11th, 2010
9:04 am

To Wren’s credit, he has not had the authority to fire Bobby Cox; and without that, everything else is basically meaningless. The only way you win with Cox is having Pitching so dominant and so far far suprior to the other teams that it overcomes his management procedures and lack thereof and enables you to win over the long 162 game regular season. Our Pitching is good but not that good, especially after the departure of Vazquez. With him, went the slim chance we had of being competitive.

keef1234

January 11th, 2010
9:07 am

NEWS FLASH
AP- Apparently, the Braves would have been able to secure Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira if attendance had been 3 million. So in order to do this, (and sign Albert Pujols for a long term contract) the Braves have offered a contract to Henry Aaron. Aaron had been a superstar shortstop, first baseman and right fielder for the Braves in the ’50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Frank Wren stated Terry McGuirk has suggested that if Henry (or Bad Henry) could get on an exercise routine with proper nutrition, he could could come back as a viable starter or bench player. Aaron stated (who is 75) that he will do whatever it takes to win a world series and is sure his presence will draw 3 million +. McGuirk asked Aaron to convince Ralph Garr and Gil Garrido , Rowland Office and Darrel Evans (who could spell Chipper at 3rd base) to also make a comeback. Garr and Garrido have not been located but are being sought from the press…
This story will continue to evolve…as Wren and McGuirk work the phones. Liberty Media would not comment on this new strategy or $135 million dollar payroll that the Braves should have…