Reflections on the Promotion of Atlanta Braves’ GM John Coppolella

Sep 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of the NL East pennant banners from past seasons before the Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a few days now since John Coppolella was elevated to the official role of General Manager of the Atlanta Braves.  This was not at all unexpected – particularly in light of the fact that other clubs were sniffing about to see if there might be interest from the 37-year-old in their GM vacancies.  But it’s also a recognition that Coppy had effectively been the architect of the rebuild that has been undertaken over the past year, and thus he’s earned the title for his labors.

If you think it will all be peaches and cream just because Coppolella is now at the helm, then you’re probably not looking at the whole picture

In thinking about this topic, I believe it’s important to consider where the Braves have been – and why – before looking toward the future and what that might bring.  And that necessarily takes us back to the days of Frank Wren.

I’m going to recommend a reading of another blog’s take on the year-long transition from Frank Wren to John Coppolella.  Martin Gandy – “gondee” – has already typed out many of the thoughts I have had on this hire, and indeed included some additional interesting background bits that certainly impacted Frank Wren’s tenure with the Braves.  He certainly did this better than I would have, and that’s why I suggest his remarks to you.

Instead, I will dig into a different aspect of this transaction – one that I have to wonder might ultimately have been a significant reason for Wren’s firing.  It’s about the people of the Braves, and how that – and the draft – might have played a role.

Next: It's the 'Who' as much as the 'What'