The Atlanta Braves recently ended their nine game losing streak, there seems to be multiple problems with how this team is put together. Most of the problems with the Braves seem to revolve around Braves’ General Manager Frank Wren.
He started off having the tough job of replacing GM John Schuerholz who built a Dynasty in Atlanta and seemed to have things given to him on a silver platter, though in Schuerholz’s final few seasons he had made some questionable deals like trading MLB star Adam Wainwright for the duties of J.D. Drew that only last two years.
Trading away the whole farm system for Mark Teixeira were deals that were not smart but still sensible in their own right. What started to get Braves fans chirping was when the Braves had already given up so much for Teixeira to only trade him away after a season and a half of him patrolling first base and obtaining someone who was virtually unknown, Casey Kotchman, especially when the Red Sox were willing to give up All Star Kevin Youkolis for Teixeira and OF Mark Kotsay.
Another unpopular move was the dealing away of pitcher Javier Vazquez, who finished third in the Cy Young voting, to keep a struggling and inconsistent Derek Lowe, for Melky Cabrera. Wren has had some questionable moves as well as a lack of moves, such as the inability to find a lead off hitter, a replacement for Chipper Jones, who is on the DL every other week now, and a huge risk in taking injured, past his prime, Troy Glaus.
On that note, Troy Glaus showed much promise in the spring but now cannot seem to buy a hit anywhere, not even against the least talented pitchers. He not only isn’t hitting well but his defense too is also a cancer to the Braves and it may be time to scrap Project Glaus and try to obtain another first baseman, however possible.
The job of Frank Wren depends on a few players; Nate McLouth, Troy Glaus and Melky Cabrera. The only difference between Nate McLouth’s lack of success and Troy Glaus’ is that McLouth has played outstanding defense, has great base running ability, and has the benefit of a year under his belt playing for the Braves, whereas Glaus hasn’t shown any bright spots in the regular season.
To no fault of his own Glaus did replace a fan favorite in Adam LaRoche who hit 12 HRs, 40 RBI and batted .325 after being traded to the Braves. Not to mention Glaus tends to ground into double plays or strikeout in crucial moments in the game that kills rallies for the Braves.
Although the situation is bad in Atlanta the Braves can still turn it around and make everyone look bad, if they can just get the bats going and play up to their potential. Because the weight does not just fall upon McLouth and Glaus; even Silver Slugger Brian McCann has underachieved this year, and so has Yunel Escobar.
There is no way a team of the Braves caliber, who appeared in the spring to be an NL East contender, should depend solely on the hitting of a 20 year old rookie, Jason Heyward, to lead their team in HR and RBI. But that is the grim reality in Atlanta right now, and until something is done to change that the Braves are not going anywhere.
