Braves’ Frank Wren needs to fix good, but not great, team
Center fielder Michael Bourn may have played his last game for the Braves, who have some big decisions to make this offseason. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Once you get past the fact that the Braves waited until game No. 163 to resemble baseball’s all-thumbs team, and that a major league umpiring crew just made the NFL’s replacement referees look fit to be air traffic controllers, this is what the 2012 season really comes down to: The Braves’ margin for error this season was just too narrow.
They won 94 games. That’s impressive. They went 20-9 down the stretch after it looked again like they were circling the drain. That’s really impressive. But what really pushed this team into the postseason were two unexpected occurrences: 1) A 40-year-old (Chipper Jones) unexpectedly hit .300 for most of this season, had two walk-off homers against Philadelphia (the second when the club looked comatose on Sept. 2), and finished second in game-winning RBIs (12) and third in go-ahead RBIs (18) despite missing 50 games; 2) Kris Medlen went from middle reliever to emergency starter to channeling Cy Young.
Unexpected occurrences can make a good team look like a great team. But it’s not something anybody should count on.
The Braves’ lineup still is a bit heavy on “could be” and “should be.”
Some questioned whether general manager Frank Wren should have brought back predominantly the same roster after the team’s unraveling in 2011. But it was an understandable risk. He could make the case that one horrific finish was an aberration. There is no case now.
The Braves are losing Chipper Jones. There’s a good chance they’re going to lose center fielder and leadoff hitter Michael Bourn to free agency. Catcher Brian McCann just suffered through the most miserable season of his career, and health issues are an increasing concern. If Martin Prado is viewed as a comforting backup plan at third base, that leaves left field open.
That’s four of eight positions.
When the 2011 season ended, the heat was on manager Fredi Gonzalez and his staff (hitting coach Larry Parrish was fired). That’s not the case after Friday’s Wild Card game loss to St. Louis. The onus now is on Wren. He needs to improve a lineup that too often struggled to score runs, even during a hot September.
Wren said Saturday he’s “very optimistic about where we sit as a franchise.” He referenced the team’s young core (Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons), the late-season bounce back of Dan Uggla and pitching. That’s a good start. But these aren’t minor issues that need addressing.
“I think they need some pieces,” the outgoing Jones said. “But Frank will have a good time with all the money he’s going to have this offseason to try to get those pieces.”
There’s potentially $36.345 million coming off the books for just four players: Jones ($14 million), Derek Lowe ($10 million of dead money), Bourn ($6.845 million) and Jair Jurrjens ($5.5 million). The assumption is Wren will exercise club options for both McCann ($12 million) and Tim Hudson ($9 million).
How might payroll flexibility change the dynamic in the Braves’ offseason? Wren, handcuffed by budgetary constraints in the past, joked, “We may shop in a different store.”
So not Wal-mart?
“We may go up the street to Target,” he said.
When told that, Jones — who remembers when payroll size wasn’t an issue like now — cracked, “I guess that’s good to hear. Maybe one day we’ll get back to Macy’s and Dillard’s.”
Wren said it won’t be a great free-agent group (one reason why Bourn is expected to land an astronomical contract). The Braves more likely will need to acquire talent through trades. The other issue will be leadership, particularly with the loss of Jones. Heyward and Freeman will be expected to take on expanded roles. The Braves have gone through several transitions over the past decade, but this one might be the most difficult.
It’s also something nobody in the organization wanted to be focusing on so soon — one game — into the postseason.
“Anytime you get this close, you want to take advantage of it because you don’t know what’s going to happen next year,” Gonzalez said. “Chipper’s not going to be here. We’ve got to sign [Bourn]. You don’t know if you’re going to be healthy next year. We may not have had the sexiest team out there, but we were good.”
Not great, just good.
By Jeff Schultz
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263 comments Add your comment
Jay Dubu
October 6th, 2012
6:33 pm
As horrific as the infield fly call was, that only played a art n the Braves’ loss. All year long, they have struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, and it showed again last night.
I recall DOB recently mentioning in one of his highly rated blogs that the Braves were the owners of the lostest BA with runners in scoring position in all of MLB (or something along those lines…).
Don
October 6th, 2012
6:36 pm
Jeff, you call to change the team and then state that McCann’s option will likely get picked up? Change needs to include moving on from McCann. This is not the first fold up he has experienced over the past 3 years. I’m afraid his better days are behind him, if not for poor performance, but for oft injured as well. this team cannot afford to soak up $10 million + for him in 2013.
Jeff Schultz
October 6th, 2012
6:38 pm
Orange Brave — Thanks for the comments.
Jeff Schultz
October 6th, 2012
6:40 pm
Don (and others): I’m too big of a McCann fan to say cut him loose now, and I think such a move would be premature. He has had too many great years here to assume that he can’t come back next year. It would really be kind of dumb actually to cut him loose now with no catcher there to replace him. Do I think he’ll be gone after next season? Very possible. But I wouldn’t do it now.
jeffrey d
October 6th, 2012
6:40 pm
Is that picture from this year or last year?
Given the 2012 behind Bourn, I’d guess it’s from this year.
Badway
October 6th, 2012
6:48 pm
If you disagree with this single elimination wild card game than sign this petition please…we need your help.
https://www.change.org/petitions/major-league-baseball-end-the-failed-experiment-of-a-one-game-wild-card-playoff
SSA
October 6th, 2012
6:50 pm
Agreed schultz, mccann was basically injured this whole year, i think it would be unwise as well as unfair to mac to cut him loose given what he’s done for our club the past seven years.
in regards to replacing bourn i think we should look into pursuing either of the upton twins, bj is a free agent and just came off a 28 homer year and justin had a decent year for an underperforming dbacks club and could be on the trade block
Sonny Clusters
October 6th, 2012
6:51 pm
Enter your comments here
Sonny Clusters
October 6th, 2012
6:51 pm
Enter your comments here
P Rose
October 6th, 2012
6:53 pm
“The other issue will be leadership, particularly with the loss of Jones.”
I strongly disagree. On the contrary, leadership will NO LONGER be an issue for this team, now that Chipper will be gone. The manager can now go about the business of leading, without being overshadowed anymore.
Chipper was one of the greatest hitters of all time (in the regular season), but he is not a good leader, either by word or by example, on the field or off.
I like Chipper, but I love the Braves. They have been his team for a very long time. Without him next season, they may be better, or they may be worse; but either way, it’s going to be interesting.
jeffrey d
October 6th, 2012
6:56 pm
Good try, Sonny
Steve
October 6th, 2012
7:08 pm
While getting rid of Uggla’s contract would sound like a great idea, the reality is we are likely to have a tough time doing it. Who would trade anything of value for him?
As for McCann, the Braves are not sold on Betancourt being ready and they might pay McCann to keep the fans happy with Chipper being gone. Maybe not, but it would not surprise me. And yes, McCann could turn it around and if so is probably worth the $13 million.
I just wonder who is available that we could get and that is actually worth something. By all accounts this is a horrible free agent year for bats, especially right-handed.
The Braves need to restock their position players in the minors. They have a serious lack of depth in the OF and with Simmons and Pastornicky likely to start the season in Atlanta they will have next to no depthin the middle infield.
Time to offload a couple of pitchers for depth at other positions. It will be an interesting offseason as we finally have some flexibility.
chc4
October 6th, 2012
7:09 pm
Fredi is getting a pass for that atrocious safety squeeze call involving Simmons. Cox, LaRussa, Leyland, Baker… not one other respected manager would’ve made that call in that situation. Is that why we lost? No. But it’s indicative of poor in-game decision making in the biggest game if the year.
Hillbilly D
October 6th, 2012
7:09 pm
According to what Don Sutton said on air a few days ago, Jack Wilson is retiring, since somebody mentioned him.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 6th, 2012
7:15 pm
If the Braves can trade Lowe, they can trade Uggla. At least Uggla has two redeeming qualities (power, walks). Lowe had none. If they can find a taker to get his salary off the books they should have enough to keep Bourn and McCann and add another bat.
Bill Payer
October 6th, 2012
7:16 pm
Really doubt Fredi actually called for a safety squeeze. Think he’s covering his players mistake. Braves need ownership change. Out of town company owning team does nothing for the Braves. Just another p&l statement for their accountants to fiddle with. Someone like Arthur Blank, not necessarily Arthur Blank, would be a big plus.
gy6
October 6th, 2012
7:23 pm
just like last year. and the year before that. and the year before that, and the year…
Silver Bean
October 6th, 2012
7:28 pm
It appears that the Braves are stuck with Fugla. Why can’t the illustrious batting coach duo instill in him that he does NOT, repeat NOT have to attempt to absolutely kill the ball everytime he swings? He looks like a muscle bound FOOL every at bat.
Silver Bean
October 6th, 2012
7:28 pm
It appears that the Braves are stuck with Fugla. Why can’t the illustrious batting coach duo instill in him that he does NOT, repeat NOT have to attempt to absolutely kill the ball everytime he swings? He looks like a muscle bound FOOL every at bat.
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:32 pm
Denver wants to move Cuddyer and Fowler. I am sure we have enough trash to get those two useable risks. Hanson, Venters and Jurjens or a combination thereof should pry them loose. I am interested to see if anyone things Fowler is worth it.
I don’t trust Fowler, but he seems to have the potential to be just what we need without giving up any useful and valuable pieces. Maybe hometown cooking and monitoring will make him a stud next to JayHey and then we could platoon Constanza and Johnson in left.
For you McCann haters, The Rox are not all that all enamoured with Wilton Rosario, so he may be an option, but he is a lot worse that Bmac behind the dish.
Feedback please.
Ted Turner
October 6th, 2012
7:33 pm
McCann is aging in dog years. There’s no way in the world I’d pay a non-athletic blurred vision McCann that kind of money.
McCann is fully expendable with David Ross on our roster.
Time to go after some high energy character guys who have some fire in their belly.
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
7:33 pm
Find someone to take uggla like Dodgers..and sign David Wright to play 3b and put Prado at 2b where he was a all-Star.
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:35 pm
As a business owner I want people who produce and if they don’t produce they exert an all out effort. No one can accuse Danno Uggly that he does not generte maximum effort and intensity.
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:37 pm
Generate not genrte you ding dong
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
7:41 pm
If Braves can’t sign Bourn then go for Angel Pagan who is a FA.
Trade Mac to AL and get some prospects.
Hanson needs to be traded also.
Dan Higgins
October 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
The Braves have not won a single post season game since 2001…EVERY year they collapse….
WTF…
CLEAN HOUSE!!!!
October 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
Clean House Starting With Frank Wren and next in line get rid of Tommy Hanson, JJ, Fredi Gonzalez, Roger McDowell and Dan Uggla – Trade Brian McCann while you can get something for him – try to find some real men and not sissies (aka Jason Heyward) that really want to play baseball and invest Gimper Jone’s salary in some decent young hitting prospects
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
Dan they one a game in 2010. Remember Rick Ankiel
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
7:44 pm
Uggla is worth half what he makes…do you over pay your help?
We wuz robbed
October 6th, 2012
7:47 pm
I don’t believe for a second that fg is trying to protect his players about the squeeze play. If it had not been for that idiot ump, he may have been in hot water; IF we had owners that give a crap. But thats a whole nother story. AND fg didn’t get near mad enough, so the fans had to get mad instead. Does Bourne not have a mind of his own whether he wants to go or stay? Guess they can never get enough money.
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:48 pm
Point taken, but not much we can do. We own him and I just have to hope he can produce. Would this hve been a different season if he hit 250 with 30 jacks? He is capable
Can we offer Bourne arbitration. I think he is worth the big bucks quoted but only for short years–no more than three
Virginia Ranger
October 6th, 2012
7:50 pm
As for overpaying employees, look what we are all paying the clowns that run this country—but that is a different arguement for a different forum
Gary
October 6th, 2012
7:58 pm
UGGLA failed so many many times in key scoring opportunities during the regular season and again in this crucial playoff game……..isnt the object to win…….they will have to eat that salary…..
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
7:59 pm
Amen~~ Virginia @7:50 vote him out~~If Uggla hit 250~30 hrs I’d be happy and so would Braves.
I also hope Braves keep all there Coaches…don’t like Roger but can’t like them all.
UGA forgot to show up tonight so far. Steve 21 and Richt 0
Walker
October 6th, 2012
8:03 pm
Look for Wren to target Justin Upton and Denard Span
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
8:04 pm
Congrat to O’s for win over Texas. Det 3 & A’s 1 in 6th on TBS
nova
October 6th, 2012
8:04 pm
Excited about next year’s pitching potential.
Cautious about Hamilton? Yes, but willing to take that chance.
Any chance to trade for Chase Headley for 3b (and leave Prado in LF)?
Barry
October 6th, 2012
8:05 pm
Moneyball 101: do NOT resign Bourne!!! Just bc he’s a speedy lil black man does not mean he is a competent leadoff hitter!
We wuz robbed
October 6th, 2012
8:08 pm
Agreed, Virgina. I will help with that vote. I’m still wondering why Chipper dogged it to first in his last at bat. He slowed down, and rumor has it he was called safe, when in fact he was out. Hate to hear that Francona went to the Indians. He would have been an asset here. Elmer Fudd would do better than the manager we have.
Barry
October 6th, 2012
8:09 pm
As far as dumping Uggla, find a team stupid enough to take him as an add-on for an actual player of value (see LA Dodgers raped by the Red Sox–took on 3 or 4 overpaid players just to get the one they wanted). So, exercise the option on Hudson, and package him with Uggla and ship both of them off for promising young, cheap pitching. Use the free money to sign/trade for a good player.
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
Walker, I don’t think so..Wren could have got Span last winter but passed. Upton is 4 or 5th on list. Wren likes the kid from Royals L Cain if he could get him.
F Troop
October 6th, 2012
8:12 pm
So what exactly is UP with ATL and the playoffs??? Is there a voodoo curse on the city? The Braves and Falcons just shut down for one reason after another – in the playoffs.
Chop Chop
October 6th, 2012
8:13 pm
Frank Wren needs to hire Bobo to fix the offense and Grantham to fix the defense.
How many more wait till next year
October 6th, 2012
8:15 pm
Barry ..Black has nothing to do with it..where do you live on a Island? Get a life.
FSUBrave
October 6th, 2012
8:20 pm
sign josh hamilton yes!
Hammond B-3
October 6th, 2012
8:24 pm
we need to keep Bourn period Constanza needs to be traded he is only at best a 220 hitter I know he is fast so is Bourn, Ugla stays we need the power Hanson can be traded
Ross could be a started of a lot of teams we may lose him please Trade JJ he is toast
Dum-Bass
October 6th, 2012
8:24 pm
This article surmazed me(that’s a combo of surprised and amazed). How could such an item even be written with no mention of replacing 50% of the problem? If you start “fixin”, you gots to start at the top. By the “top” I mean the person who made a large contribution to the loss yesterday. I have never, ever, in my 50 yrs. of watching baseball seen a more “boneheaded” call than the safety squeeze. I had said a couple of days before the game on one of the blogs that I was afraid FG was pull out one of his early season decisions, but had no idea it would be one as ridiculous as that one. I’ve heard at least 2 managers say they were shocked at that. Personally, I don’t care anymore, as I have washed my hands of the Braves. Been disappointed for too many years to keep putting up with. Liberty Media will not spend the money and appoint inferior managers. BTW, the Cleveland Indians just got Terry Francona. Let’s watch them go places next year. The Braves need somebody who actually knows what they are doing, not just a “good ol’boy ” who kisses everybody’s butt!
Dum-Bass
October 6th, 2012
8:31 pm
My last post just disappeared. Lots of problems with that lately. Maybe had to do with me calling for FG to get the boot.
stew
October 6th, 2012
8:32 pm
Try to acquire the two Uptons.
stew
October 6th, 2012
8:32 pm
Try to acquire the two Uptons.