Reports: Atlanta Braves eyeing pair of veteran execs
By Phil Watson
The Atlanta Braves, in the midst of a 24-34 second half that has dropped them below the .500 mark, may be looking to shake up the front office at the end of the season.
Atlanta has fallen out of playoff contention with a 4-12 September swoon and amid reports that general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez could be on the hot seat, there is talk the club is looking at a couple of veteran baseball executives to help clean up the front office.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Braves are looking at John Hart:
The #Braves hierarchy have their eye on highly respected John Hart, possibly bringing him in to oversee baseball operations department.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 20, 2014
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Hart or former Braves general manager John Schuerholz could have a larger role:
Whether new #Braves GM is hired or Wren retained, I hear either John (Hart or Schuerholz) could have expanded role in baseball ops.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 20, 2014
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Hart has been a senior advisor for the Braves since last November while Schuerholz is the team president and was the general manager from 1990-2007—during which time Atlanta had its remarkable run of 14 consecutive division titles.
Prior to that he was the GM of the Kansas City Royals from 1981-90 and was at the helm when Kansas City captured its lone World Series title in 1985.
Hart was the GM of the Cleveland Indians from 1991-2001, during which time the Indians won six division titles in seven seasons and reached the World Series twice, and also was GM of the Texas Rangers from 2001-05.
Fair or not, Wren’s tenure may wind up being defined by the signing of free agent outfielder B.J. Upton to a five-year, $75 million deal after the 2012 season.
In two seasons with the Braves, Upton is hitting .197/.276/.312 in 261 games with 20 homers, 60 RBI and 317 strikeouts.
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