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
GT
May 29th, 2009
2:43 pm
The Braves are in too deep a predicament to solve this year. To land any of the players mentioned on the poll would require giving up too much talent at this point in the season. But if they wait until deeper into the season when other teams become more desperate, they’ll be too far out of the race for it to matter.
A lot of folks on this blog realized over the winter that this team – as currently built – isn’t likely to reach the postseason. What’s more, it will take a lot more than one fix to get this team to October. Trading 2-3 good minor league players for Matt Holiday who will walk at the end of the year will simply be the Texiera deal all over again.
If Wren really wants to make a move to spark the offense that would have a deep and lasting impact, the best thing he could do is NOT offer Cox a contract extension. This would be much more impactful than renting a player for 6 months. Once Cox is out, the days will be numbered for Pendleton and the rest of the coaches.
It is these guys who have really been hampering any progress the last few years. With maybe 3 exceptions, no one in this lineup seems able or willing to execute a bunt to move over a runner, put the ball in play to bring in a runner from 3rd, or be willing to swipe a base. As poorly as this team hits, its completly ridiculous to not play more small ball on those occasions runners DO get on base.
Bottom line: nothing changes with this team’s run of mediocrity until Cox is gone.
Jabarbanol
May 29th, 2009
3:10 pm
Hey “Big Dawg,”You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t have a clue. I know Jeff Francoeur, personally, and I know his great, down-to-earth family. There is not a person on this earth that is more frustrated than Jeff. That “little attitude” that you misdiagnosed is, in fact, frustration, inner-pain, and helplessness. There is no “little attitude.” Even though he is going through a terrible, terrible time he still signs autographs with a smile on his face. He has lost sleep, he has gone to Parkview High School and talked to some coaches there and he has sought help from many others. He is hurting, inside. Stop judging him because a look on his face. Stop kicking a wonderful, clean living young man while he is down. What big league experience do you have? You probably couldn’t hit a ball off of a tee.
Venkman
May 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
We could make a big-time deal, but even getting a sneak good player like Seth Smith (who is rotting on the bench in Colorado), would be a great and inexpensive improvement.
ha
May 29th, 2009
4:28 pm
I think an outfield of owings, hampton, and ankiel, sadly would be more productive than the group we are running out…granted these guys all are great athletes…but than again our outfield is also THAT horrible.
Brown
May 29th, 2009
5:11 pm
I wonder if Oddibe McDowell is available
ltdbrave
May 29th, 2009
6:12 pm
Well I do not think Frenchy should be traded. The Braves offense stinks and there is one person to blame, the hitting instructor who has done nothing to help. Pendelton needs to be traded, period. Giving up on a 25 yo young man who had to go to the Rangers hitting coach for help, is wrong. It will come back to bite the Braves big time. Wren should have signed Dunn instead of Anderson in the first place. Anderson should be dumped. Not only is he not hitting, but seems a distant part of this team. When will management start making responsible business decisions?
Max McGonigle
May 29th, 2009
6:19 pm
It’s a guy you’ve probably never heard of, and I really hadn’t before this season, but he’s putting on one heck of a show over in KC. His name is Alberto Callaspo. His minor league line of .317/.369/.436 isn’t too impressive, and his major league line of .283/.338/.374 is even more unimpressive. He does play decent enough defense and can play 2nd, 3rd, SS, LF, or RF, and he does walk more than he strikes out. What I do know is that he’ll be a consistent MLB producer because of his contact rate. He puts the ball in play 84% of the time compared to the MLB average of 69%. When you’re putting the ball in play that much, you’re going to get hits. You don’t have to get lucky. Sending Francoeur, someone that the Royals (against all reason) value, along with another minor league infield prospect, like a Diory Hernandez, J.C. Holt, or Van Pope, and a relief pitcher like a Luis Valdez or Mariano Gomez would probably net the Braves Alberto Callaspo.
So far, I really haven’t fixed anything. I’ve slightly upgraded the 2B position but our outfield is still crap. We’ve got a vacancy in RF, which Diaz and Kelly Johnson could most undoubtedly fill more adequately than Francoeur, but we’ve still got a long way to go and Garret Anderson is STILL our every-day left fielder. Here comes the big part. And I mean big. Blockbuster, we’re talking here. And I’ll tell you what it is.
Carlos Quentin. There, I said it. Yes, I’m crazy. I just suggested we try to pry a guy who in 130 games last year hit .288/.394/.571 with 36 HR, 26 2B, posted an OPS+ of 148, scored 96 runs, drove in 100 runs, and received 41% of the voting share for AL MVP even though he was out for the last month of the season. Oh yeah, he’s also only 26 years old and isn’t yet arbitration eligible, so he makes the league minimum. Can you think of a more difficult player to acquire in a trade?
Quentin in Atlanta? Ain’t the craziest idea I’ve ever had.
Well, probably, but there aren’t many. The good news is this is his last pre-arbitration year. He’ll get more pricey each year from 2010 to 2012 when he’s eligible to become a free agent. He’s not represented by Scott Boras, though, so signing him to an extension that locks him up long-term and/or controls the cost of his arbitration years isn’t out of the equation (which makes the proposition of moving him less desirable for the White Sox). With the back-story complete, I’ll attempt to answer the question, “What’ll it COST, Man?”.
The answer: a lot. As always, it starts with a pitcher. In this case, seeing as they’re trying to win right now, it’d have to be a MLB ready pitcher. And I don’t see him being moved without Tommy Hanson or Jair Jurrjens involved. Maybe you use Kris Medlen or Charlie Morton to start the package, but without Hanson or Jurrjens, I think [White Sox GM] Kenny Williams probably hangs up the phone. And the White Sox don’t even listen unless they’re improving their team right now, so the fun doesn’t stop with one of our two best young pitchers. Next, you give them something to replace the pop they’re missing with Quentin. Barbaro Canizares was born the be a DH, and he could probably even handle left at US Cellular Field. He’s probably the next piece of the deal, since the Braves have no use for a DH. We’re still not there, though. Helping the White Sox offensive issues is the next step, and they’re having problems producing at 2B and 3B. Alexei Ramirez can play 3B, SS, or 2B, but Kelly Johnson could plug one of the 2B or SS holes, and he’s still a valuable offensive player who is sought after by many clubs. The acquisition of Callaspo along with the reality of Omar Infante returning in a matter of months and Martin Prado as a serviceable utility infielder makes Kelly Johnson expendable from the Braves organization’s standpoint. So, we’re at Kelly Johnson, Barbaro Canizares, and one of Jurrjens and Hanson for Quentin. In order to make this deal work, the White Sox are going to need more to help them win now. A reliever, perhaps. The two I mentioned for the Callaspo trade, Valdez or Gomez, would be good candidates. Send the one you didn’t send to Kansas City to Chicago for Quentin.
Finally, in order to sort out some organizational depth and blockage problems while sweetening the deal for both sides, send Gorkys Hernandez, our 3rd best position player prospect who plays a blocked position (by Jordan Schafer) to Chicago and Chicago sends Dayan Viciedo, a young (19 years old), Cuban 3B prospect who plays a position that will eventually be blocked by a combination of Alexei Ramirez, Chris Getz, Kelly Johnson, and their top prospect, Gordan Beckham.
So, the Braves net Dayan Viciedo and Carlos Quentin while the White Sox net one of Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, Barbaro Canizares, Kelly Johnson, one of Luis Valdez and Mariano Gomez, and Gorkys Hernandez.
On the other front, the Kansas City front, that is, the Braves give up Jeff Francoeur, one of Luis Valdez and Mariano Gomez (so they’ll both ultimately be gone), and one of Diory Hernandez, J.C. Holt, and Van Pope and net Alberto Callaspo.
Overall, the Braves team looks like this:
LF – Quentin
CF – Schafer
RF – Diaz /B. Jones or G. Anderson
1B – Kotchman
2B – Callaspo
3B – Chipper
SS – Escobar
C – McCann
From: http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=236
Hezekiah Johnson, Esq.
May 29th, 2009
6:36 pm
You guys please take it easy on G Anderson; he’s a professional hitter and knows more than us. He gets so disgusted with the criticism and he gets hits when he needs to. He really does not want to play here because he doesn’t get the love and I don’t blame him.
We need to get another big bat in the outfield to go with GA. We are in THE HUNT for another division championship and it does not matter how many young prospects we have to get rid of, it will definitely be worth it. We can worry about the future in the future. I do not regret the Tex deal; John Shuerholtz brought a star to the Braves and we couldn’t come up with $170 million to keep him. Who cares about the players we lost. Can’t cry over spilled milk.
J D Drew was another Star player again with ties to the Atlanta area and it would be okay with me if we gave up 5 Adam Wainwrights to just have him play 3 months “injured”. These players are good enough to play for the Yankees and Red Sox. Jason Marquis, please!
35YearBravesFan
May 29th, 2009
7:23 pm
Terrence Who????? And I think this is May, not July. I agree with MB, and Wren, as a couch potato coach, gotta fix pitchin first. Y’all didn’t really think this would all get done in one year, did you??
GO BRAVES!!!
Dan
May 29th, 2009
7:27 pm
Hey Frank Wrong! Please trade Fraudoeur for power.
Mitch
May 29th, 2009
7:34 pm
Good post as always, Mark, but I disagree with you on one thing.
You say “At the risk of sounding like Frank Wren’s defense attorney, there’s only so much that a GM can fix in one offseason”.
That isnt exactly true. While this isnt the economics of 1990 anymore, John S made this team from a 97 loss laughingstock, to a World Series particpant in one year. Frank has made some good moves, (Javy V, Lowe), and some that havent worked out. (Anderson, and KK). I definitely think we need to get another bat, if we are going to be the wild card team that every sportswriter on your staff, and every fan of the Atlanta Braves, thinks we can and should be.
Of the names you have listed in your choices, I’d love to see Adam Dunn. Yes, he strikes out a ton, but he is the prototypical cleanup, 30-40 homer, 90-100 RBI guy, that can really protect Chipper in the lineup. Dunn can also serve as the dangerous hitter, on the days Chipper cant go, or Mccann has to rest.
Except for KK, the Braves have pitched very well so far this year. If Tom Glavine comes back, and is the Tom Glavine we all know he can be, even at age 43, this team has enough pitching to snare the wild card, at least. It doesnt matter how much pitching we have, if we cant score enough runs to win.
Frank needs to do something, and fast. While the west coast is always tough, we have played the bottom feeders of their division this week, and look how it worked out. Four setbacks in a row so far. To think of us playing the “Big Boys” in June and July. (Yankees, Mets, Phils, Red Sox, et al), with this offense is downright scary. We arent going to hold all those lineups down offensively every night, so we need to score more runs. I hope to see something done in the next couple of weeks, and that Frank wont wait until July 31, by which time it may be too late, and the playoff spot position will have eluded us.
Mitch
Ken
May 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
Lol at you “company men” running to the defense of Frank Wren and his idiotic decisions during the offseason. Did he improve the staff? Absolutely. Did he go too far in bringing in KK, rather than addressing the woeful outfield? Absolutely. KK was like a third nipple—completely unnecessary.
I can only guess that you people defending him are actually some of his interns. Hopefully he will not read your comments and learn that you’re bigger failures than he is.
Wren couldn’t get it done in Baltimore. He isn’t getting it…Dunn here.
KC
May 29th, 2009
7:42 pm
Why wait FW find someone and pull the tigger. The longer you wait the less time that impact player as to make an impact. Figure out who you want and get it done. I have been an braves fan since the early 80’s. I love to watch braves baseball but this lack of production has got to change and change now. Get a deal done FW or I know that I will be just one of the many calling for your head.
Chris N.
May 29th, 2009
7:45 pm
I am still trying to figure out why the Braves traded the heart of their farm system (Matt Harrison, Salty and Andrus) to Texas for Tex. If the Braves could not sign Tex to a long term deal before the trade was completed, why do that trade for only a half year. I just do not get it.
Mitch
May 29th, 2009
7:51 pm
Mark, one point I didnt see you address in your post. What, if anything would you do with Jeff F? Would you just keep him for this year, get another bat, and let him go at the end of the season, or would you trade him now in a package for whatever we can get for him. Clearly, this team has a major offensive hole in right field, with how Jeff’s numbers are right now.
I will be very interested to see your thoughts on this.
Mitch
Brent
May 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
Apparently Billy Beane has voted in this poll over and over and over again. It’s the only reason a .260/.350/.430 hitter outside of Coors Field would be winning this poll…
kjb
May 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
I think the braves will be fine in the future. A year or two from now, the lineup could look like this> LF Jordan Schaefer, CF Gorkys Hernandez (watch out for hernandez, he’s going to be a special player) RF sorry Jeff Francouer but I don’t care what nobody says you have to put Jason Heyward there, we’re talking about a future hall of fame type player & that’s all I got to say about that. If the braves get rid of Hernandez and Heyward they will seriously regret it. 3B Chipper Jones until the future comes along (he can play as long as he want to there, he’s earn that. SS Yunel Escobar is going to be an allstar one day , wait and see. 2B Martin Prado needs a shot at this position, he would be great. 1B Freddie Freeman or Cody Johnson man these guys have power. C Brian McCann a future hall of famer. Build a pitching staff around Hanson & Jurrjens & man you got a nice future. I love you Bobby Cox for what you have done over the years for the braves but I feel it’s time for you to move on & give Terry P a chance to manage this team, I think he would do fine since no one wants him as the hitting coach anymore. The only problem I have with this team is there is too many left handed hitters in this lineup, so i feel you may have to trade 1 or 2 of the left handed hitters for equal talent (do not trade heyward, or mccann), for right handed hitters or switch hitters.Do not trade Escobar, McCann, Heyward or Hernandez> these are your keepers for sure. If the Braves do this in this manner, I promise, know I gauranteed that the Braves will be back on the map real soon!!!!!!!
jer
May 30th, 2009
12:16 am
Some of the same people who are insisting the Braves trade so they can compete this year are that the Tex trade was such a mistake. Getting another “star” for prospects would only put us further in the hole for the future. If we had not made the Tex trade we would at least be climbing out of our current hole and may be all the way out even. Don’t make the same mistake twice. Endure this year and probably next year while the future hitters develop (Heyward, Cody Johnson, Freeman, Hernandez), rather than a short-term boost that more than likely will not be enough (no matter how good even a juiced Bonds was at his best he could get them to the playoffs).
jer
May 30th, 2009
12:17 am
The last part should read (no matter how good even a juiced Bonds was at his best he could NOT get them to the playoffs).
Virgil Maney
May 30th, 2009
1:19 pm
Maybe the braves can trade Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, and Medlin for another Boras client they know they have no hope of keeping. Has anybody checked to see if Bobby Cox is actually awake during games. He never tries to let people run or hit and run. The braves have no power but he just sits there waiting on a three run homer.
kjb
May 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
maybe it might be too much pressure for frenchy in atlanta so i say trade frenchy now, he needs to get out of his hometown & start fresh elsewhere, sorry frenchy.
slow roller
June 1st, 2009
3:40 pm
An extremely easy change to make would be to FIRE Terry Pendleton. It would cost practically nothing, just hire Brian McCann’s Dad for the rest of year. Wouldn’t even need to pay moving expenses Frank! Call Malone and let him know how cheap it would be, he’d say do it!