Wren on his Braves: “It’s obvious we need more offense”
Frank Wren knew he couldn’t fix all that ailed his 90-loss team in one offseason, so he prioritized. He started with the rotation and added three new arms. He stabilized the most egregious source of instability. He made the Braves competitive again.
But say this for Wren: He’s no Pollyanna. He sees the potential in his reconfigured team, and he also sees a ceiling. Just past the quarter pole, the Braves are very much in the NL East mix. To stay there, the general manager believes something has to change.
“I do think we’re going to have to perform better offensively,” Wren said Wednesday. “Our pitching is giving us a chance to win, but to be legitimate contenders we have to improve offensively.”
The hope when the Braves came north from Disney World was that many competent bats would override the lack of a true big bat. “We don’t have a big bopper who’s going to hit 40 home runs,” Wren said in April. “We might have seven guys who’ll hit 20.”
He meant 20 apiece. But if you take away Brian McCann, the other regulars — this counts the two-man platoon in left field — have managed a total of 22 homers. That’s not enough to win over the long haul, not for a team that isn’t built for speed, either. (Last in the majors in stolen bases, you know.) The Braves have scored 20 runs in their past seven games, and seven came in one inning against Toronto.
The best-case scenario was that Garret Anderson would contribute professional at-bats and Jordan Schafer would lend a spark and Jeff Francoeur would remember how to hit. “We thought we had a chance to get some of our offensive production back from guys returning to form,” Wren said, but a team – and a GM – can wait only so long.
Loading ...Obvious question: Is there a deal a-coming? Wren: “The time to address need is just beginning. Teams are just now starting to see where their needs are. I don’t see any trade happening really quickly.”
If you read ajc.com blogs, you’ll find a contingent of protesters who fault Wren for not finding a real hitter over the winter. (Boilerplate criticism: He should have landed Adam Dunn, or Bobby Abreu, or Raul Ibanez, who has been reborn in Philadelphia.) But the real world of baseball, it must be noted, isn’t so convenient.
“The offensive players who were available this winter would have been hard to put into a National League outfield on an everyday basis,” Wren said. “As we were trying to improve our pitching, we had our eye on defense as well. It was a balancing act.”
And that makes sense. Really, most everything Wren has done to date makes sense. He retooled the starting pitching, which is always the hardest part. “You can’t put together a rotation on the fly,” he said, and the 90 losses of 2008 stand as stark evidence. But the modern way of baseball is to fix over the winter and tweak in the summer, and now summer’s here.
“We’re interested in improving our offense,” Wren said. “It’s obvious we need more offense.”
So there’s hope yet, Braves fans. This GM isn’t in denial. He knows what his team lacks. He’s on the case. But he’d better hurry.
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222 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
May 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
At the risk of sounding like Frank Wren’s defense attorney yet again: There’s only so much a GM can do to fix a 90-loss team in one offseason. Wren did the right thing: He got his rotation settled — and let’s be real: Kawakami hasn’t been terrible — and that has given the Braves a chance to win every night. The reason they have won as often as they’ve lost is because they can’t hit. But the rotation had to come first.
fed up with wren
May 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
For all of you saying that we couldn’t afford Dunn, Kawakami makes $8.3M this year and I believe has a three year deal. Dunn was two years, $20M. Who would you rather have on your team right now? Do you think Dunn wouldn’t have jumped to come here vs. the Nats?
Dawg A
May 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
Ever know what it feels like to be in ” way above your head? ” ask Mr. Wren!!!!!!!!
Lash La Rue
May 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
The Team is exactly what Wren and Cox made it. They put this team together and they’re the “Blame” it sucks.
Wren and Cox needs to be fired.
Falconian
May 28th, 2009
3:38 pm
I think we need to wait until all star time to see where we are at. If we are more then 6 games out or so- throw the towel in early.
I would like to see the Braves get rid of Chipper and 15 million somehow. Maybe he could go soak his toe in the Yankees clubhouse and steal their money. I would love to see McCann tried at 3rd base.
The Braves also need to just leave Francoeur at the dang airport somewhere, and while there at it, handcuff G. Anderson to him.
This team has great pitching…if they are within 5 games at the allstar break, then trade for a slugger, but in the meantime, lets just all boo the hell out of the team until something happens. Seems to have helped in Philly.
ATL CHOP
May 28th, 2009
3:38 pm
All of our offensive problems rests in one place….the hitting coach! Sorry, huge braves fan, have been all my life, and I loved when we turned things around in the early 90’s, but Terry has GOT TO GO! Look at A.Jones….dude couldn’t hit a watermelon thrown at him. But he leaves ATL, struggles in LA, then goes to a true hitting coach in TEX. Looks to me he’s back on target, and back to the old Andruw that we used to know. Get Terry out of the hitter’s heads, and away from the Braves, and I think we may hit for average again.
NC Braves Fan
May 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
Good post, Mark. I think the job Wren did is pretty remarkable, especially given the zigs and zags this offseason (Furcal, Burnett, etc.). I do think the Braves badly miscalculated how the offense was going to perform, and it now looks like a lot of their thoughts were based on wishful thinking and not much else.
And the wishful thinking precipitated a couple of other blunders as the season got close – signing GA to play left and dumping Josh Anderson to turn the keys over to Schafer exclusively.
That leaves the Braves stuck pretty much where they are until the trade market heats up.
Lets trade 6 more top prospects
May 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
The Braves need to stop drafting so many pitchers EVERY year and draft all power hitters this year.
Be it catcher, infielder, outfielder but draft as many as you can find.
steve
May 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
Garret Anderson is a proven hitter and will hit again. I would rather see him AND Diaz in the line-up more consistently. Perhaps moving one of them to RF and perhaps send Frenchy back to the minors might help. Garrett Anderson, by the way, while no Gold Glove as a fielder, is certainly a competetent outfielder. Yes, he is in the down swing of a very good career, but they guy can still play.
paul
May 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
Let’s face it here, people. We need to formulate a trade that sends Pendleton elswhere. Franceuor goes to another team for hitting advice in the winter and regresses when he spends time with Terry. The only successful hitters in our lineup are the naturals, i.e. Jones and McCann. Pendleton needs to go. Ibanez would not have a rebirth under him, nor would Dunn, both the Nationals and Phillies have better instructors than the Braves. Let TP GO.
o-me
May 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
Steve get your head out of the sand.
Diamond Dave
May 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
Everytime the Braves come up with a big bat, they unload him before his contract comes due. JD Drew, Tex, Jermaine Dye, et al.
Diamond Dave
May 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
Is it just me or does anyone else think Pendleton is the problem? Andruw goes from 51 homers and 2nd in MVP to getting cut. Frenchy goes from the cover of SI to trade bait as a back-up. The young guns never pan out once they get to TP.
Dawg A
May 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
By the way………. does anyone miss Terence Moore?
I DIDN’T THINK SO!!!!!!!!!
skeezix
May 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
Wren says what??….Wren signed the aging Anderson to beef up the outfield from an offensive standpoint. It hasn’t, plus he loafs on defense. Can it be more obvious that our centerfielder wasn’t ready for the big time? We all wish Frenchy well, but the fact is he still isn’t able to do his job (offensively). Now it is almost June and Wren tells us we got offense issues with the outfield. HEY WREN! WE KNEW THAT BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED! Mark,this is just more proof of Wren’s incompetence.
Johnson
May 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
The Braves were officially broken in the 96′ WS when they lost 4 straight to Yankees after winning the first two in NY. Cox should have been fired and a new leader should have come in to get the most from the talent. Instead, the Braves won 14 division titles and one championship. Braves mgmt “told” the fans they should be happy with division titles. In my estimation, the Braves could have one 2 more WS titles with a new coach. Doesn’t matter if they make a change now as no coach could win with the current roster.
Growing tired
May 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
The thing that irks me the most is that we had a chance to get Adam Dunn, a 40 hr a year guy and Wren was not interested. It makes me sick to my stomach every time he hits a bomb for the nats. Way to go on that one!
Falconian
May 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
Maybe we could get the ski mask that Chipper comes to work in everyday, and wrap his toe with it.
Herschel Talker
May 28th, 2009
3:52 pm
Mark – I disagree on Kawakami. The MLB hitters are really hitting him. His fastball isn’t fast, and his movement isn’t so great either. For that contract, we should be getting more talent. Especially for a team where dollar allocation is precious.
rhynster
May 28th, 2009
3:52 pm
Pitching before offense. Wren has done that.
As for the bullpen, I think that’s a crapshoot for any team during any season. There just are not many guess who are consistently good over multiple seasons in a bullpen. I think “closers” are the most overrated role in all of sports.
And as for the offense, didn’t we all kinda think it would be better than this? Didn’t we all expect Johnson to be better? Francoeur to be better? Schafer to be better?
Falconian
May 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
We could trot Claudell Washington out there to do what Francoeur has done.
Bill
May 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
The problem with a big trade is, I’m afraid and everyone I talk to is, the Braves will screw it up. Ex. The Tex deal! Josh Anderson deal for nothing! Fans don’t trust Management.
Mark you do a great job with all sports but just say no to defense Attorney for Frank Wren. You’ll win more votes.
Jack G.
May 28th, 2009
4:01 pm
Give BC enough big boppers (40 Homers) and he is a great manager. Give TP any number of average to abopve average hitters and he will ruin all their numbers. When your players are not hitting, the first thing you do is look at the hitting coach. Tradeing for a big bat will solve nothing unless you keep TP away from them. He would screw up Ted Williams swing.
Bill
May 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
I’d take CW anytime over Frenchy, falconian.
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
“The offensive players who were available this winter would have been hard to put into a National League outfield on an everyday basis,” Wren said. “As we were trying to improve our pitching, we had our eye on defense as well. It was a balancing act.” – Frank Wren
I’m sorry but this is total BS. Dunn was dismissed because he is a poor defensive outfielder. Through yesterday he has made two errors. Right now, who wouldn’t trade those two errors for 16 HRs 42 RBI and an OPS of 1.026.
Tony in Johns Creek
May 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
It would have been understandable to go after Gary Sheffield I thought.
He’s probably able to play a serviceable left or right field right now.
He would have fit in nicely behind Chipper and made the rest of the lineup stronger because of it. I was hoping Wren would have considered him after Detroit let him go.
Mark Bradley
May 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
Thanks for the career advice, Bill. But you should know that I was once accepted to law school. I wound up not going, but I still get the urge to do a Perry Mason bit periodically.
ATL CHOP
May 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
Paul…Diamond Dave….I totally agree! I think JS may have been ready for the big leap to the majors, but TP has screwed him up. After another K by JS, who does he go to in the dugout? Chipper! He needs to stay the hell away from TP, just as everyone else needs to. He was a good hitter back in his day, but boy, his day is long gone, and he sure doesn’t have what it takes to teach a young and struggling hitter making the big leap what it takes to make it in the bigs.
TP……#1 problem in ATL!!!!
Michael
May 28th, 2009
4:20 pm
Its funny how everyone on this board “faults” TP for all of our bad hitters, yet doesn’t credit him for any of our solid hitters. Keep in mind that TP is the only hitting coach that McCann has ever had in the pros. I’m not saying TP is perfect, but I don’t think he’s to blame either. Also, TP has as many batting titles and MVPs as the rest of the Braves starters combined (or the same as Chipper, same thing)
Mark, lets get your thoughts on TP…
jimbo
May 28th, 2009
4:20 pm
I agree with the comments about Terry Pendleton. We love the guy, gave us a lot of good memories, but he is just not cutting it as a hitting coach. A true coach would know how the get Frenchy out of his slump, and would teach our guys a little plate discipline. I can’t tell you how many times our team swings at the first pitch!
BravesAreDone
May 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
What the Braves need is an entire new outfield in order to have a real chance at being competetive for the division title. Some team (whether Mets or Phils) will go on a run at some point during the summer, and the Braves will have no shot with the 3 outfielders they have.
andruknight
May 28th, 2009
4:22 pm
this team has flucuations that are very hard to witness–they do not work the counts, are not patient at the plate…if I see another Jordan S./Frenchy swing at the first…I will ???????—Bravos are implausible and tough to root for…..and opposing hurlers have very little fear of this cast….Garrett A. should be ashamed……Wren?…….When?
Joe
May 28th, 2009
4:25 pm
The fact of the matter is that it doesn’t matter if this team adds Albert Pujols, it is not going to compete in August and September with the Mets and Phils.
It is time to cut bait and chalk this season up as lost. We do not need to try and add veterans, but another young stud starting pitcher and some young relievers who throw in the high 90’s.
The nucleus of McCann, Hernandez, Schaeffer, Freeman, Heyward, Hanson and Jurrgens has the making of a nice long run. We need to be supplementing that talent right now with other young talent.
We could get some really good prospects for Lowe and Vasquez. It is time for the Braves to give up on this notion of being “competitive.” It’s fool’s gold. That is why Elvis Andrus and Saltalamaccia are not with us. We need to trade valuable veterans for stud youngsters. It’s time for the Braves to be sellers and do what is right for the organization.
Kentavo
May 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
Love ‘em or hate ‘em – you can’t subract Tex and Andruw’s power and not expect the results we have seen played out the last year and a half.
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 28th, 2009
4:30 pm
Speed never goes into a slump.
TommyP
May 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
Abreu only cost $5 mil.
The reasoning that the Braves had to get a guy that could play defense in LF is ridiculous. Garret-freakin’-Anderson?
And Mark, if we have to read one more time about “professional at bats” and Garret Anderson…..
Wren did not have a great offseason by any measure. He should’ve been trying to sign Lowe all along but avoided him like the plague until the Peavy fiasco and the failed signing of AJ Burnett occurred.
ATL CHOP
May 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
Joe, I think you are right “The nucleus of McCann, Hernandez, Schaeffer, Freeman, Heyward, Hanson and Jurrgens has the making of a nice long run.” I totally agree! But I don’t think that we throw the towel in so quick. Granted, we do need to make a move for a power stick.
Michael – the blame is on TP…as for McCann only having one hitting coach, that’s not true! The kid was a hitting machine in high school. His brother (Brad) was a hitting machine. Why? His dad, Howie!
I have had Howie give me a few hitting and pitching lessons back in high school (about 6 or 7 years ago or so) But you have to believe in pure talent! Pujols didn’t get to where he is today from someone telling him how to hit. It comes as second nature to a natural! I think McCann has the “natural” ability.
Dave 55
May 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
“TP has as many batting titles and MVPs as the rest of the Braves starters combined”
Completely irrelevant when talking about the qualifications of a coach. Bobby Cox was a nothing special player with a flash of a career. By your logic Pendleton should be running circles around him as a coach.
Mark Bradley
May 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
The season isn’t over by any means. They’ve played 46 games — 116 to go — and they’re three games out of first place. I’m not usually a big fan of the “we’ll-fix-it-in-July” school of thinking, but it would seem to apply to these Braves.
(Of course, July might be a moot point by the time it gets here.)
gayle
May 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
Johnson – you are spot on man! From the time of Wohler’s infamous hanging slider to Leyritz in game 4 of the 1996 World Series, this team has been going through a long, slow and painful decline.
The fact that they still have the same inmates (Cox, McGuirk) running the asylum tells you all you need to know about how bad ownership wants to field a contending team.
Remember, this team changed ownership so some corporation could avoid paying taxes! Talk about motivation and purpose!
Bill
May 28th, 2009
4:50 pm
Mark,I bet you would be a great attorney. I would not hesitate to hire you. I just don’t agree with Wrens miss judgement. Your 12 year old daughter could do better, well?
sidslid
May 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Hawpe is Francoeur once he is out of Colorado. Huff only budget guy around. Defense is irrelevavt in left field if you can get 30 homers
Michael
May 28th, 2009
4:53 pm
For ATL Chop-
“Natural hitters?” ATL Chop, your own comments disprove your thesis. You say he’s a natural, yet you give all the credit to another hitting coach. Again, you’re just not giving credit to TP. And please go re-read my previous comment. TP is the only hitting coach he’s had in MLB. I never said TP was the only coach, ever.
And Dave 55- Would you prefer to get bad hitters to make coaches from? TP was one of better hitters of his generation. For you to say that all of that is irrelevant doesn’t make much sense. You have to “know” good to “teach” good.
Mark, please chime in here and straighten these guys out on TP.
wha????
May 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
Andruw’s power? The last two years his power consisted of extra gravy on the mashed potatoes and powering his way to the dugout after another GIDP! I don’t get the Pendleton thing, he’s never shown to be a great hitting coach, when in slumps, Chipper goes to his dad, Mac goes to his dad, and JS is going to Chipper. I’d rather rely on a guy hitting 280-290 to drive in runs with hits than a guy hitting 250 to drive ‘em in with 40 homers out of 550 at bats a year. Trouble is, you have to run to do that and Bobby’s just not going to let guys run. Never has other than Otis. Vasquez, if you watch him pitch, is at least as good as advertised, if not better. Kawakame’s jury is still out. Glavine is guilty of a little Brett Favre syndrome, I’m afraid. His best days are long gone, the team needs to move on and Glav, however beloved, needs to hang it up. He’s just taking money from the team that could be used in better ways. Frenchy? Just doesn’t get the mental aspect of hitting. A pitcher throws 8 balls in 9 pitches this past Monday, Frenchy gets up with no outs, bases loaded and promptly swings at the first pitch, it’s way out of the zone. Just clueless.
Chief Nock A Homa
May 28th, 2009
4:56 pm
Mark:
Mentioned this on the DOB blog and a few thought it was interesting…
With the idea of limited funds and trying not to give away the farm to get some help, what do you think about the idea of looking to make a trade with the Reds for Micah Owings?? Not for pitching, mind you, but with the idea of putting him in a corner outfield??
You would have to believe we wouldn’t have to give up that much to get him; his salary is only about $400K; and he’s a local boy to the ATL….
The Reds are looking for another outfielder and some pitching… How about Frenchy and someone like Jo Jo, or Morton, etc… for Owings?? And, then we’re not trading away a young outfielder who still may have potential for an older rental as is usually the case as Owings is all of what, 25??
Owings is a true hitter that managers have always struggled to put in the outfield because his pitching was so good… I mean, he’s a lead pinch hitter for goodness sakes… He rips it in limited at bats – I can only imagine what he’d do if he had a daily opportunity to rip it…
And, if the experiment doesn’t work, we’ve got a pretty good young pitcher to fall back on and not have to just drop for the next year…
Thoughts????
Justafan
May 28th, 2009
4:58 pm
Michael, you can be the best at something and not be able to teach it. It takes a special person to teach. TP is a no no in my book.Everyone loves him but he can’t teach.
Julia
May 28th, 2009
4:59 pm
I owe you a LOT because you taught me how to blog and gave me a greater appreciation for the SHRIMP SAMMICH. I have twice asked you to join me for a delicious SHRIMP SAMMICH but you continue to IGNORE my pleas – almost like Francoeur ignores suggestions to take an occasional pitch. Well, one more time (you know who you are) I invite you to meet me for a tasty SHRIMP SAMMICH. We can talk some baseball, too. Your thoughts on Schafer and Francoeur mimic my own. Hoping to see you soon for a delicious SHRIMP SAMMICH.
Julia
the truth...
May 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
Thank God the team isn’t run by a committee of the bloggers on this post…. scapegoat after scapegoat….Frenchy, Johnson, Kawakami, and of course Cox…
Two facts…trading away the “farm” of 2007 for Tex was so stupid it ranks right up there with the Falcons giving away Favre in the early years ago…
Second fact….the lack of offense is what holds back our arms…
fed up with wren
May 28th, 2009
5:01 pm
Michael, let me set YOU straight on TP. The results speak for themselves. The Braves have had one of the least productive offenses in MLB for a few years now. The players that have been successful don’t go to TP for help, they go elsewhere. And having been a good hitter doesn’t mean you can teach it. I certainly like and respect TP as a former player that meant a lot to the organization, but that doesn’t mean he gets a free pass to be the hitting coach for life.
Dave 55
May 28th, 2009
5:04 pm
“Would you prefer to get bad hitters to make coaches from? TP was one of better hitters of his generation. For you to say that all of that is irrelevant doesn’t make much sense. You have to “know” good to “teach” good.”
Paraphrasing Scott Hatteberg in Moneyball: bad hitters make good hitting coaches because they don’t try to make you just like them, they know their stuff doesn’t work.
Charlie Manuel is as good as a hitting coach as there is (yes, I know he’s a manager). He was a career .198 hitter. Rudy Jaramillo never made it to the majors. And to be clear: I didn’t say TP can’t teach hitting. I said his playing resume doesn’t matter when it comes to his ability to coach.