The Braves have dismissed general manager Frank Wren. John Hart has been named as the interim GM.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 22, 2014
UPDATE FROM BRAVES PRESS CONFERENCE: As we guessed yesterday, Assistant GM Bruce Manno has also been relieved of his duties. Not terribly surprising, given that he has been an integral part of the Wren front office, which has been characterized as having “lost the Braves’ way” over a period of time.
The 1st Scapegoat: Now We Know
After news over the weekend, I had anticipated that we would indeed get this news today – and it has happened. Wren is out at Braves’ GM. John Hart, brought in as a consultant at the beginning of the year, will not be the full-time GM – he has made it known that he is not interested in a full-time gig. Thus Wren’s actual successor will be determined later.
The 56-year-old Wren has been with the Braves since 1999, holding the GM position since 2007. As as aside, Wikipedia has already been updated to reflect today’s breaking news. Go figure.
Other Reports/Reactions
sources: manager fredi gonzalez appears safe
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 22, 2014
Wow. Really???? Wrong scapegoat, Braves.
This is the 1st time in Atlanta Braves history that a GM has been techinically fired. Others have either stepped down, reassigned or died.
— BillShanks (@BillShanks) September 22, 2014
The firing of Wren is the first firing of a #Braves GM or manager since 1990
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 22, 2014
The Braves say Bobby Cox, John Schuerholz and John Hart will conduct the search for a permanent GM
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 22, 2014
It's no stretch to say the Uggla and B.J. Upton acquisitions cost Wren his job. A lot to hang on two bad deals. #braves
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) September 22, 2014