Wren’s problem: He hasn’t earned benefit of doubt
Here's Troy Glaus looking at a called third strike Wednesday night. He's hitting .203. So much for that experiment.
Frank Wren spent Wednesday at a high school game, coughing from pollen that triggers his allergies. That night, the Braves lost their eighth straight game in St. Louis, coughing from their apparent allergy — the other team.
They can’t hit long. They can’t hit short. Some nights they can’t field. Some nights they forget to tag up. Usually, they can pitch pretty well, although St. Louis hung 10 on them Thursday and there are some nights when Derek Lowe looks like he’s allergic to mounds.
When the Braves broke spring training, they looked like a possible playoff team. Now they have the second-worst record in baseball.
What is Wren doing about it? Nothing. Not trading. Not panicking. Not even twitching. Just waiting for the rain to wash away the pollen.
He will tell you the Braves have the advantage of time. But don’t even baseball time frames get shortened when a team has its longest losing steak since 2006 (the same year this non-playoff string began)?
“You can go from last place to first place pretty quickly this time of year,” he said. “I know everybody is jumping off the ship now. But this is like if the Falcons had played two games. We’ve only played one-eighth of the season.”
The math is accurate. But in the NFL, nobody asks, “When is the last time we lost two in a row?” When losing streaks are being researched, there’s a problem.
The Braves lost Thursday, 10-4. That makes nine straight. One more and marketing is going to have to start including lobster with the all-you-can-eat seats.
Their record is 8-14. They’ve been outscored 16-4 in the last two days. Total offense in the nine losses: 17 runs (including three shutouts).
Wren is preaching patience. If he is having a hard time finding support, it’s because that philosophy carries more weight when the preacher has a resume. The Braves have missed the playoffs four straight seasons. Wren is 0 for 3 since taking over. When the team hit a bump during John Schuerholz’ regime, it was easy to remain calm. Wren hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt.
The leadoff spot figured to be a problem. It is. Chipper Jones’ health and production figured to be questions. They are. Troy Glaus figured to be a risk. Confirmation received. Nate McLouth, Melky Cabrera – it doesn’t end.
It was easy during the 10-game losing streak in 2006. You could look into the bullpen and say, “Their fault.”
Most of Bobby Cox's problems haven't been on the mound (Derek Lowe notwithstanding).
Now, the problems are everywhere. Every day is a new Bobby Cox lineup. Wednesday included six starters hitting .203 or less. Thursday’s lineup opened with Cabrera and Yunel Escobar, both hitting .197. (The blip is Martin Prado. He has no allergies.)
Wren said he is free to make a trade. He said, “We have some flexibility in our payroll,” though he didn’t quantify that.
“The other factor [in a trade] is how it affects us talent-wise. We have a farm system that we’re carefully stocking. We don’t want to do something that will lessen our ability to compete long term.”
It’s at this point that I mention the name: Mark Teixeira. In 2007, the Braves dealt a boatload of prospects to Texas for Teixeira. They hoped he would turn them into a World Series team. He didn’t. The thought occurs that memories of that deal would dissuade the Braves from making a significant prospects-for-All-Star trade again. (San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez comes to mind.) But Wren said no.
“The Teixeira trade hasn’t impacted us at all,” he said. “If you look at the players we gave up, I’m not sure it’s had any effect on the major league club. We had Escobar ahead of [Elvis] Andrus at shortstop, we had [Brian] McCann ahead of [Jarrod] Saltalamacchia at catcher, the other guys wouldn’t have made our club. Neftali Feliz would be in our bullpen.”
So you wouldn’t be gun shy?
“No, not at all. We’ll make a trade if we feel it helps us.” But he added he won’t deal a prospect whom he feels can be part of the Braves’ future. That list presumably begins with Freddie Freeman.
It’s the end of April. General managers “tend to look at the quarter-poll,” Wren said. “Mid-May is when you start to get a sense where your club is. Really, June 1 is when you start making decisions.”
The math could work out. But if 8-14 turns into 16-28, just remember how early the cough started.
♦
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548 comments Add your comment
Churchy
April 29th, 2010
11:31 am
If the Braves don’t turn it around with what they have, they need to trade off some of the players they have and gear up for 2011/2012 when Heyward will be a complete stud, McCann will be in his prime, Freeman will be up, Chipper will be off the books, and Hanson/Jurjens will be even more improved.
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:31 am
hell he played as many games last year as the Braves have played so far this year and he would by far be our best offensive player if he put up similar numbers. 4 HRs, 23 RBIs, .298 avg, through 26 games last year.
Erik
April 29th, 2010
11:31 am
I hate to break it to everyone but John Schuerholz had the benefit of working with one of the highest payrolls in baseball in the 1990s. When their payroll started moving back in the pack, the results on the field moved back with it (from winning the pennant to just winning the division to not making the playoffs). And that ALL happened while Schuerholz was the GM.
I’m not saying that Wren shouldn’t be criticized. He absolutely should. Many of his moves haven’t worked out at all. But don’t preach that Schuerholz earned “benefit of the doubt” just b/c he was working with more money and could put together better teams. Once that money started drying up, he struggled just as much as Wren has.
TMAC
April 29th, 2010
11:32 am
Actually, Bob Wickman was good after the trade in 2006. It was 2007 where he became the “Cox hating pig” Remember?
b12 joneal
April 29th, 2010
11:32 am
JEFF…..do u no todays lineup
Jeff Schultz
April 29th, 2010
11:32 am
Alphare — Lineup obviously isn’t what it used to be. But they should be better than this.
"Chef" Tim Dix
April 29th, 2010
11:33 am
Jesse Stone: Adam Wainwright for the hangnail kid from Hahira ring a bell?
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:33 am
change-of-scenery theory is, sometimes, all it takes. In the Braves case the change-of-scenery is a new hitting coach. But alas you’d have to be proactive for that to happen.
Braves Fan 51
April 29th, 2010
11:33 am
Kolb was awful…Wickman had his moments
usnavyvolfaninva
April 29th, 2010
11:34 am
BTW, the team that no-no’d Gwinett… Norfolk Tides, AAA affiliate of…. the Baltimore Orioles!
Jeff Schultz
April 29th, 2010
11:34 am
Joshhh… Man up? Hey, I’m not running. I wrote a positive column 2 weeks ago and still have some good feelings about this team. But I also believed this team needed some help in the lineup — just not this much. Hey go back to stuff I wrote before the season about the leadoff position and why I believed they needed Johnny Damon.
b12 joneal
April 29th, 2010
11:35 am
JEFF…do you no todays lineup
SRF
April 29th, 2010
11:35 am
It seems to me that they are NOT the worst team in baseball, and they are CLEARLY not playoff material, so that leaves a frustrating middle ground. I am not sure why they cannot get back on track, but it must suck playing in Atlanta where you are deemed to be mediocre – Just look at KJ and Frenchy – they suddenly have the haze lifted !
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:35 am
I predicted this from Melky, I could be a serviceable outfielder if i was the weak link in a lineup with Texiera, Jeter, ARod, Damon, Matsui. Do you realize how many pitches to hit Melky saw last year? Probably more than any other player in baseball.
Real UT
April 29th, 2010
11:36 am
Jesse Stone, I don’t think that was the point I was trying to make. But thanks, I think any master of the obvious could figure out there was a big difference in talent b/t Braves teams that lost WS and Yankees teams that lost WS. Just look at the payrolls….
Braves Fan 51
April 29th, 2010
11:36 am
The Yankees gave us trash they didn’t want and we gave them there 4th starter…The Cardinals gave us an old stiff man with the longest swing in baseball. I wish Heyward got the fastballs Glaus gets on a nightly basis
McLouth is not getting the pitches he got down multiple runs on a 60 win club. Escobar is pressing, his ego is hurt
I hope they prove me wrong
Tmac
April 29th, 2010
11:37 am
I swear I could make the same moves the Frank Wren has made of the last several years. At minimum.
I would bet my house I could make better decisions than FW has made with personnel.
I can’t think of one move where the pundits say the Braves and FW got the best of a deal. Or picked up a great Free Agent
(bench players don’t count) LaRouche maybe, but for half a season. And we gave a Kotchman who was another great move by FW. We also got pitcher Stephen Marek in that trade, where is he and how’s he doing?…..For Texiera, exactly.
Problem: Braves fans accept mediocrity from their players and front office. So, you get what you get.
Jeff Schultz
April 29th, 2010
11:37 am
BuckheadBrave — I don’t know about Delgado. He’s still rehabbing from hip surgery and don’t know when he’ll be back (if ever). Dye’s a possibility, I suppose, but he’s been out there and Braves didn’t touch. Neither has anybody else, which has kind of surprised me.
fordcobra
April 29th, 2010
11:37 am
Back up the truck. I see no evidence of desire on this team. They need a major shake-up get out and get some one NOW! At this point I don’t care who you trade except maybe Hanson and JJ. Jones needs to go ranching after the Ole’ on the Pujols ball last night lack of effort is evident. If he is indeed hurt then get off the field and take the heat. This is the worst thing to happen to Hayward he is probably being overwhelmed by all of this negative performance. Sorry but at this point as a team the Braves STINK>
Real UT
April 29th, 2010
11:39 am
BuckheadBrave- nice man. That one made me laugh. When your in a lineup with that many All-Stars and your not one of them, then yeah, your probably gonna see some pitches to hit. Now he has no one hitting around him, and I think his true talent level is starting to show.
Braves Fan 51
April 29th, 2010
11:39 am
I agree with Fordcobra…..chipper looks disinterested….more youth! Double play botch vs. Phillies in game 2…all escobar he should of caught it
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2010
11:40 am
reatut- you made the comparison. I simply said they weren’t comparable
Douglas
April 29th, 2010
11:40 am
Glad I’m not a prof. baseball game — what a slow game! When does Football and basketball start again?
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:41 am
I understand why they didn’t go after Dye to begin with. Matt was coming off a season in which he hit somewhere around .330 if im not mistaken and Melky was solid for the yanks last year. My point is with Diaz slumping and Melky showing that hitting behind Yunel Escobar and in front of the pitcher and the revolving door of Braves lead off hitter is not the same as being in the Yankee line up, what do they really have to lose by giving Dye a one year one mil or so contract?
Mr. French Tickler
April 29th, 2010
11:41 am
Angus,
Almost won the wildcard? They were 6 games back of the wildcard. They finished up the final 10 games of the season at 4-6. That’s hardly a push for the wildcard.
Wren on Tex | Rowland's Office
April 29th, 2010
11:42 am
[...] Posted on 04/29/2010 by atlmalcontent “The Teixeira [trade] hasn’t impacted us at all,” he said. “If you look at the players we gave up in the Teixeira deal, I’m not sure it’s had any [...]
Braves Fan 51
April 29th, 2010
11:42 am
The Yankees and Cardinals gave us players…that should tell us everything….if they were good they would still be with them!!!! Guaranteed!
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:43 am
This is a “wait til next year” year. The only trade I’d like to see is for Carl Crawford but only if we can sign him to a long term contract.
For only half a year or less no thanks.
Ouch. . .My Oblique!!!
April 29th, 2010
11:43 am
Does Troy Glaus look like he’s perpetually drunk to anyone?
That being said–this franchise is certainly a cheap imitation of the 90s Braves. What is funny is that when you hear Cox or Shurholtz or Wren speak, they convey the sense that the Braves are still an elite franchise. They’re not. This brand of baseball is boarderline unwatchable. They’re stiff, disinterested, and perhaps, untalented.
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:44 am
I think Chipper’s look is dejected. He knows this team is going no where.
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2010
11:44 am
Glaus looks like the other products of the Angels have- uninterested
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:45 am
I agree we are closer to the level of the Nationals and Pirates than we are to the Phillies or Yankees. The Rockies and Rays are America’s new MLB sweethearts, the Braves are old, old, news.
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:46 am
Jeff – have you got your hands on the lineup yet?
PMC
April 29th, 2010
11:46 am
Jeff, Dye wants more money than people are willing to pay currently.
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:48 am
I hope and pray everyday Bobby or Chipper or both realize they don’t want the Bobby Bowden walk of shame to retirement and hang it up at the all-star break or sooner. Unfortunately their egos won’t allow for that. It has never been about team for them, if it was after 72-90 in 2008 Bobby would have stepped aside and this year Chipper would be playing 1st base.
Hot Phone Sex Princess
April 29th, 2010
11:49 am
Today’s lineup:
Cabrera LF
Escobar SS
Prado 2B
McCann C
Hinske 1B
Infante 3B
Heyward RF
McLouth CF
Jurrjens P
and I will be available throughout the game.
PMC
April 29th, 2010
11:50 am
This lineup is what it is because the ownership hasn’t allocated the funds to compete in this division. It is what it is…. until Wren finally admits publically that the money allocated is not enough to get players that will make a difference… he’s going to get killed for it. He’s been in baseball a long time, I have no doubt he and John and Bobby and eveyone involved with this team knows that they are shy of the personnel they need to win consistantly.
They have add revenue, TV, Radio, revenue sharing etc etc. They don’t want to spend the money period.
Cough it up Tabby
April 29th, 2010
11:50 am
Hey Jeff, Thoughtful article.Reading local current events helps us get through news about the slumping Braves and their down hill slide and how no one will step up and players who have temporarily forgotten how to hit and the sorry state of coaching -etc., etc. So lets mix in a little talk about pollen. Okay, I’ll bite. Do you think this weekends forecast of rain will assist Wren and enhance his performance? Boy, I sure hope so. Also consider a little humor in the articles to help us feel better such as: “What do you call fans who boo Wren? Boo Birds!” Do whatever you need to but get us die hard Braves fans through this dry spell with it’s pollen problem. I do truly wish to believe the pollen is causing me to tear up and not the Braves.
BuckheadBrave
April 29th, 2010
11:50 am
Jeff could you please shed some light on why Cabrera keeps getting to start ahead of Diaz?
TMAC
April 29th, 2010
11:51 am
tell me which bat in that lineup scares you?
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2010
11:51 am
It has never been about the team for Bobby Cox? I strongly disagree. Bobby avoids the limelight. How many in-game interviews have you seen BC give on ESPN compared to other managers? He passes it on to TP, or Huddy. Feel free to be an armchair manager like the rest of the know-it-alls on here, but you can’t question Bobby’s allegiance.
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:51 am
Hot Phone you should have spelled those names like May West would have said them.
John Schuerholz
April 29th, 2010
11:52 am
I absolutely earned “benefit of the doubt” Erik! And I will tell that to your face! I may have a Napoleon complex but I know baseball!
Our ownership is fantastic and should be exempt from criticism. Enough.
Ted M
April 29th, 2010
11:53 am
BuckheadBrave because Bobby Cox is guessing.
Blackberry Cobbler
April 29th, 2010
11:53 am
The Braves can find an offense and yet Booby Cox has an annoying habit of sitting TWO hitters on the same day…. having both McCann and Heyward out the same day or having both McCann and Prado out the same day. It just makes no sense whatsoever. But who are we to argue with this great HOF manager!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Derek Lowe wasn’t worth the money last year and it’s the same old song this year. McLouth was a 250 hitter at best last season and it’s worse this year. Escobar, for all his talents, is as dumb as a bag of rocks. Glaus has no business on this team but Booby Cox refuses to play Hinske or Infante at 1B. Cabrera also has no business on this team. McCann, as much as I like the guy, continues to frustrate me with his poor defensive skills.
Both Glaus and Cabrera are just another example of Braves management trying to build a team with duct tape, baling wire, ice packs and ace bandages….. just buy somebody else’s retreads and hope for the best.
I for one am sick and tired of the same song and dance every year.
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2010
11:54 am
If you are so sick of it, why not root for another team?
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2010
11:55 am
Ted M- EVERY manager guesses or goes with gut feeling.
gayle
April 29th, 2010
11:56 am
This team, the management and the coaching is a reflection of the ownership. Remember when you would see Ted in his box at the games? How many sightings of John Malone (Liberty boss) have there been at the games? Any?
How successful can a team be when they were bought to be a tax shelter? How much interest can this ownership have for this team beyond a positive bottom line? If you consider that a trip to the playoffs – as remote as that seems – would actually cost ownership MORE money, you can imagine their interest in achieving that goal. Think of Rachel Phelps and her promised membership at the Palm Beach Polo and Raquet club.
The status quo shall remain intact as long as the team generates a profit, Liberty just doesn’t have any reason to change it. Wren, Cox, Glaus, Chipper, etc., etc – line items on a spreadsheet on a computer in Denver.
The desire and the will to win and succeed starts at the top. There is no such desire with the Braves and Liberty Media. Unless the teams starts losing money or they are sold, the status quo shall endure.
Angus
April 29th, 2010
11:57 am
B’head Brave –
Diaz historically doesn’t hit righties very well (not that he’s hitting anything this year).
And for what it’s worth, Melky’s got a 6-game streak going.
bsmitty
April 29th, 2010
11:57 am
The results the Braves have gotten lately are spot on with their overall lackadasical(spelling?)approach to the game. Going through the motions and not executing common high school level fundamentals yields these types of results. My personal frustration with this team has reached a breaking point. If you are going to hit .100 and make silly errors at least get pi$$ed and show some emotion. This team lacks fire. Maybe they truly don’t give a rats a$$. I don’t know where this comes from but it needs to end now. sorry for the long post. i hate when people post novels but needed to get this out.