Braves extend Frank Wren and Fredi Gonzalez. WOOOOOOO!!!

[MadduxFanII]

According to DOB, Fredi and Wren both got contract extensions. Might justify a separate thread.

[ChapelHillMatt]

According to DOB, Fredi and Wren both got contract extensions. Might justify a separate thread.

But I thought Fredi was going to get fired after this year? Afterall he's done a horrible job, right???

[weso1]

According to DOB, Fredi and Wren both got contract extensions. Might justify a separate thread.

Fredi has done an amazing job this offseason.

[The Chosen One]

If any of you are having problems posting a new thread, VBulletin is having issues right now.

[sturg33]

According to DOB, Fredi and Wren both got contract extensions. Might justify a separate thread.

I really hope you're joking about Fred

[thethe]

Not sure how Fredi can get an extension after that showing in the playoffs last year. I'm willing to see if he grows as a manager but this is now a win-now team. Can't have a manager making insane decisions that potentially costs us playoff games (KIMBREL!)

[Tapate50]

According to DOB, Fredi and Wren both got contract extensions. Might justify a separate thread.

Been attempting to post a new thread and it just locks up.

[zitothebrave]

Fredi extension is strictly symbolic. Coaches aren't like players, they get paid well, but firing them isn't the same as cutting a player. Fredi benig under contract means nothing. That said, this organization is about stability, and I don't think they can Fredi unless he epically collapses again.

[thethe]

Fredi extension is strictly symbolic. Coaches aren't like players, they get paid well, but firing them isn't the same as cutting a player. Fredi benig under contract means nothing. That said, this organization is about stability, and I don't think they can Fredi unless he epically collapses again.

If we don't win a round this year I don't see how he is back unless the team was ravaged by injuries.

[NYCBrave]

If we don't win a round this year I don't see how he is back unless the team was ravaged by injuries.

I really don't think that's fair. When was the last time the Braves won a round? Cox wasn't exactly winning in the playoffs every year either.

[goldfly]

and just like that, the braves made their worst choice of the offseason

[The Chosen One]

Fred is cox-lite. He'll be here until Wren retires like JS.

[thethe]

I really don't think that's fair. When was the last time the Braves won a round? Cox wasn't exactly winning in the playoffs every year either.

Baseball is certainly all about the players. I won't deny that. But when your resume consists of leaving the best closer in baseball on the bench in a playoff game that could have resulted in a game 5 in your homebuilding then you deserve a lot of criticism.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I really don't think that's fair. When was the last time the Braves won a round? Cox wasn't exactly winning in the playoffs every year either.

Should have fired him too I guess.

[ChapelHillMatt]

Fred is cox-lite. He'll be here until Wren retires like JS.

Yep he's going nowhere, it's amazing people think otherwise. This organization strives on stability, they don't fire managers for postseason failures. Only way he gets fired is if they collapse in the regular season and that won't be happening.

[zitothebrave]

If we don't win a round this year I don't see how he is back unless the team was ravaged by injuries.

If we win the division he will get a pass. I agree that too long is risky since we have a 2 year window for our best shot. But that's how the Braves operate.

[The Chosen One]

Yep he's going nowhere, it's amazing people think otherwise. This organization strives on stability, they don't fire managers for postseason failures. Only way he gets fired is if they collapse in the regular season and that won't be happening.

Didn't Bobby have a few collapses there in 2007 and 2009 I wanna say?

[zitothebrave]

Didn't Bobby have a few collapses there in 2007 and 2009 I wanna say?

And everyone wanted him out after then and he likely retired because of the pressure put on him at the end of 09. Also in 07 we weren't that good. We didn't collapse, we just were lucky the Phillies and Mets were so bad.

[NYCBrave]

Baseball is certainly all about the players. I won't deny that. But when your resume consists of leaving the best closer in baseball on the bench in a playoff game that could have resulted in a game 5 in your homebuilding then you deserve a lot of criticism.

Although people have reason to be upset about that, I can think of a lot of reasons we lost that series.

[yeezus]

That's the thing with Fredi in that series. Managers, to me, generally have limited impact on games. Sure, they makes moves, but it's still largely your star players that are going to carry you. However, I feel Fredi had a major impact on the outcome of that series. It wasn't all his fault, and I think our offense is the primary reason we lost. But, Fredi had a bigger impact than I would have liked, and that impact was negative.

I doubt he gets fired, because we will have a good season and this team has a lot of upside. I don't think he will always make decisions that directly cost us games like in Game 4. The opportunity isn't always there.

[goldfly]

Yep he's going nowhere, it's amazing people think otherwise. This organization strives on stability, they don't fire managers for postseason failures. Only way he gets fired is if they collapse in the regular season and that won't be happening.

You mean I have to wait for another heart breaking collapse before we might fire our terrible manager?

[The Chosen One]

And everyone wanted him out after then and he likely retired because of the pressure put on him at the end of 09. Also in 07 we weren't that good. We didn't collapse, we just were lucky the Phillies and Mets were so bad.

That was the year the Phillies won like 11 out of 12 to win the division from NY and NY dropped 7 games in 12 days.

We choked the Wild Card I think. We were in it the last week then had a losing streak.

[sturg33]

Yep he's going nowhere, it's amazing people think otherwise. This organization strives on stability, they don't fire managers for postseason failures. Only way he gets fired is if they collapse in the regular season and that won't be happening.

Did we not have an epic, monumental regular season collapse just two years ago?

[The Chosen One]

Did we not have an epic, monumental regular season collapse just two years ago?

First year on the job with us. He was hired because Florida was actually decent under him.

[tululush]

And to think what would have been had Hanley not drop kicked that baseball into left field and Freddi yanked him.


First year on the job with us. He was hired because Florida was actually decent under him.

[Heyward]

If we win the division he will get a pass. I agree that too long is risky since we have a 2 year window for our best shot. But that's how the Braves operate.

Nats have a 2-year window too.

Up to the players to execute, thats not on Fredi.

[Heyward]

Did we not have an epic, monumental regular season collapse just two years ago?

Werent we ravaged by injuries that year?

[skillet]

I find it very hard to believe the negative feelings about Gonzalez. His record as our manager these last three years is 279-207, a .574 winning percentage, which equates to an average record of 93-69 per season. Those are very good results. He has finished 4th and 3rd in manager of the year voting the last two years. And it is really easy after the fact to second guess the decision not to bring Craig in with one out in the 8th inning of that playoff game. Do you realize that Fredi never brought Craig in to get the last 5 outs of any game in the three years he has been manager or Craig's been our closer. Not once. Not to mention Carpenter had been excellent in that role all year. It has been a strategy that has been extremely successful the whole time he's been here. It just so happens that one time it didn't work out but it doesn't make it all of a sudden a bad strategy because one time out of hundreds it doesn't work.

[nsacpi]

Managers of playoff teams get the boot on occasion. See Baker, Dusty for a recent example.

I do think the expectations for this team are a bit higher than just making the playoffs.

[skillet]

Managers of playoff teams get the boot on occasion. See Baker, Dusty for a recent example.

I do think the expectations for this team are a bit higher than just making the playoffs.

Was Fredi responsible for our entire pitching staff, that had the best ERA (3.18) in all of baseball the entire year, fall completely on their collective faces in the playoffs (5.82)? Was he responsible for Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Brian McCann hitting a pathetic 5 for 41, a .122 batting average in the playoffs?

[nsacpi]

Was Fredi responsible for our entire pitching staff, that had the best ERA in all of baseball the entire year, fall completely on their collective faces in the playoffs?

Who said he was?

[ChapelHillMatt]

First year on the job with us. He was hired because Florida was actually decent under him.

And that's not even what I'm referring too, that team still had a good season. The collapse was bad but nothing to get fired over. People can think he's a terrible manager if they want but obviously the Braves don't feel that way, neither do a lot of people in the game of baseball. He's well respected and his teams win a lot of games.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I find it very hard to believe the negative feelings about Gonzalez. His record as our manager these last three years is 279-207, a .574 winning percentage, which equates to an average record of 93-69 per season. Those are very good results. He has finished 4th and 3rd in manager of the year voting the last two years. And it is really easy after the fact to second guess the decision not to bring Craig in with one out in the 8th inning of that playoff game. Do you realize that Fredi never brought Craig in to get the last 5 outs of any game in the three years he has been manager or Craig's been our closer. Not once. Not to mention Carpenter had been excellent in that role all year. It has been a strategy that has been extremely successful the whole time he's been here. It just so happens that one time it didn't work out but it doesn't make it all of a sudden a bad strategy because one time out of hundreds it doesn't work.

Completely agree

[jpx7]

I find it very hard to believe the negative feelings about Gonzalez.

It's the little things—in life, and in having negative feelings about Gonzalez.

[jpx7]

And it is really easy after the fact to second guess the decision not to bring Craig in with one out in the 8th inning of that playoff game.

A lot of us first-guessed it, so I don't really think this logic applies.


Do you realize that Fredi never brought Craig in to get the last 5 outs of any game in the three years he has been manager or Craig's been our closer.

Do you realize that some regard that to be a flaw in his strategic abilities, and don't think season's precedent should guide decisions in every emergent, do-or-die case?

[Heyward]

Who said he was?

The way some people talk about Fredi, you'd think that it was.

[sturg33]

I find it very hard to believe the negative feelings about Gonzalez. His record as our manager these last three years is 279-207, a .574 winning percentage, which equates to an average record of 93-69 per season. Those are very good results. He has finished 4th and 3rd in manager of the year voting the last two years. And it is really easy after the fact to second guess the decision not to bring Craig in with one out in the 8th inning of that playoff game. Do you realize that Fredi never brought Craig in to get the last 5 outs of any game in the three years he has been manager or Craig's been our closer. Not once. Not to mention Carpenter had been excellent in that role all year. It has been a strategy that has been extremely successful the whole time he's been here. It just so happens that one time it didn't work out but it doesn't make it all of a sudden a bad strategy because one time out of hundreds it doesn't work.

With the talent on this team, anyone should be able to win 90-95 wins without lifting a finger. Seriously, the team is loaded. Him winning games just by filling out the lineup card is not indicative of his abilities as a tactician during games.

He finished 4th and 3rd in manager of the year because of our record, not because of over achievement.

He never used Craig in a 5 out save before? So? Was the win-or-go-home game we played in April?

Lastly, I'd say 75% of this board was screaming for Kimbrel. And even if he was unable to pitch two innings, we wanted him pitching the 8th to get the heart of the order out.

[ChapelHillMatt]

Managers of playoff teams get the boot on occasion. See Baker, Dusty for a recent example.

I do think the expectations for this team are a bit higher than just making the playoffs.

When is the last time the Braves did something like that? We aren't like everyone else. Also just because someone else does it that doesn't mean it was the right decision. What you do over the long haul should count for more than what you do in a short series. Expectations are high but I guarantee you this team won't even be picked to win the division, Washington will be by most people. Also expectations are also high for St. Louis and LA. So it's not like we don't have competition.

[ChapelHillMatt]

With the talent on this team, anyone should be able to win 90-95 wins without lifting a finger. Seriously, the team is loaded. Him winning games just by filling out the lineup card is not indicative of his abilities as a tactician during games.


Weren't the Angels loaded as well? Why didn't they win 95 games if talent is all it takes? Why is Bobby so highly revered if division titles aren't anything to write home about? Afterall anyone can do it, right?

Also your post is inaccurate, he did more than fill out a lineup card. With the injuries we had and under performances we had from two key players he had to find a way to get production from others.

[Enscheff]

Was Fredi responsible for our entire pitching staff, that had the best ERA (3.18) in all of baseball the entire year, fall completely on their collective faces in the playoffs (5.82)? Was he responsible for Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Brian McCann hitting a pathetic 5 for 41, a .122 batting average in the playoffs?

I still can't believe JUp didn't show up for the NLDS. I truly thought he was going to go into beast mode like he did when he had extra motivation during the regular season a few times and carry the team.

[zitothebrave]

Was Fredi responsible for our entire pitching staff, that had the best ERA (3.18) in all of baseball the entire year, fall completely on their collective faces in the playoffs (5.82)? Was he responsible for Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Brian McCann hitting a pathetic 5 for 41, a .122 batting average in the playoffs?

No but he was responsible for the team selection and selected our worst OF defense possible (sans something dumb) which there were more than a couple of runs that may have been saved with an OF with Jason in RF and Justin in LF. DOn't get me wrong Gattis played well, but when facing great pitching teams you have to play your best defensive team to limit their damage.

[tululush]

Totally different situation. This was an elimination game. Kimbrel was ready and wanted in. He would have been completely fine getting 5 outs. Also Carpenter gave up the hr to Hanley in game 1 I believe. So he wasn't exactly pitching lights out. Kimbrel was the correct call and it was blatantly obvious. I would have much rather lost with him in there than lose with him being held back. Potential last game of the season. Lay it all out on the line.


I find it very hard to believe the negative feelings about Gonzalez. His record as our manager these last three years is 279-207, a .574 winning percentage, which equates to an average record of 93-69 per season. Those are very good results. He has finished 4th and 3rd in manager of the year voting the last two years. And it is really easy after the fact to second guess the decision not to bring Craig in with one out in the 8th inning of that playoff game. Do you realize that Fredi never brought Craig in to get the last 5 outs of any game in the three years he has been manager or Craig's been our closer. Not once. Not to mention Carpenter had been excellent in that role all year. It has been a strategy that has been extremely successful the whole time he's been here. It just so happens that one time it didn't work out but it doesn't make it all of a sudden a bad strategy because one time out of hundreds it doesn't work.

[Dalyn]

Fredi getting an extension really ****s on my day.

[Bdawg2309]

Fredi getting an extension really ****s on my day.


http://i.imgur.com/Fpe9nJ4.gif

[Heyward]

Fredi getting an extension really ****s on my day.

Go root for a new team, then.

[Dalyn]

Go root for a new team, then.

Fredi isn't the ****ing Braves. Fans can be unhappy. Stop being such a **** all the time.

[Heyward]

Fredi isn't the ****ing Braves. Fans can be unhappy. Stop being such a **** all the time.

I'm a dick all the time?

[Dalyn]

I'm a dick all the time?

Obviously not, since that word isn't blocked. You just have something rude to say any time someone doesn't agree with the team (even in a minor way). There is no rule that says a fan has to be happy about every move their favorite team makes.

[Heyward]

Obviously not, since that word isn't blocked. You just have something rude to say any time someone doesn't agree with the team (even in a minor way). There is no rule that says a fan has to be happy about every move their favorite team makes.

Ok, mister.

[NYCBrave]

This is nothing new. I wish people could dig up the archives on scout of how often people complained about Bobby Cox, and that was a hall of fame manager.

[BremanFan88]

This is nothing new. I wish people could dig up the archives on scout of how often people complained about Bobby Cox, and that was a hall of fame manager.

Who had 16 chances to win a title and failed 15 times. With all do respect to Bobby as a regular season manager but he was a horrible playoff manager. Not to mention all the pitchers he ran into the ground...

[The Chosen One]

Going to move the other posts in here so people can express their adoration for Fredi.

[Dalyn]

Can anyone confirm the name of Fredi's bookie? I want to make sure my information is accurate before I send this to Bud.

[Heyward]

:fredi:

[BremanFan88]

they don't fire managers for postseason failures.

You say that like its a good thing but I guess you're just happy with division titles?

[Dalyn]

https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4831586057127169&pid=15.1

http://cdn.sportsmemorabilia.com/sports-product-image/t1514063-300.jpg

https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4623507798229529&pid=15.1

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4831165164031124&pid=15.1

[CyYoung31]

Continuing to lock up our young core. Love it.

[Dalyn]

Continuing to lock up our young core. Love it.


http://offtherecordsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/JerrySandusky.jpg

[The Chosen One]

Too soon. :facepalm:

Although give credit to Jerry they weren't locked up. They were out in the open in the showers.

[CyYoung31]

http://offtherecordsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/JerrySandusky.jpg

I totally thought that was Roy Williams at first glance.

[mossy]

Both deserved extensions.

We must have the whiniest fan base in professional sports. Hell, I whined too when I had time for it. Now that I'm working two jobs so I can get my wife thru nursing school, I'm just glad we have a baseball team in Atlanta.

Imagine it's 1989, and you'll all be happier.

[goldfly]

so depressing to see Fredi get an extension

[AUTiger7222]

Not sure how Fredi can get an extension after that showing in the playoffs last year. I'm willing to see if he grows as a manager but this is now a win-now team. Can't have a manager making insane decisions that potentially costs us playoff games (KIMBREL!)

That was an insanely dumb move but if you can't tell that Fredi Gonzalez has greatly improved from 2011 until now then you've not been paying attention. Fredi's management skills, particularly when it comes to the bullpen, the Kimbrel move aside, has been the area where he has improved the most.

[AUTiger7222]

Didn't Bobby have a few collapses there in 2007 and 2009 I wanna say?

2007 for sure. Braves started off that year 24-12 but then Chipper and Smoltz got hurt and the season went down the drain. Braves ended up with only 84 wins that year. 2009 was different. 2009 the Braves played .500 ball all season until they got Adam LaRoche, then they took off like a house a fire and came from at least 5 games behind if not more, nearly making the playoffs. Once they were eliminated they tanked it by losing their final 6 games of the season.

[AUTiger7222]

Managers of playoff teams get the boot on occasion. See Baker, Dusty for a recent example.

I do think the expectations for this team are a bit higher than just making the playoffs.

Dusty Baker has also been an MLB manager forever (It's not really that long but it feels like it) and has never won anything in all those years as a manage. That's one of the reasons the Reds let him go.

[AUTiger7222]

This is nothing new. I wish people could dig up the archives on scout of how often people complained about Bobby Cox, and that was a hall of fame manager.

I miss Bobby's fire and presence in the dugout more than I miss him actually making the managerial decisions.

[NinersSBChamps]

Dusty Baker has also been an MLB manager forever (It's not really that long but it feels like it) and has never won anything in all those years as a manage. That's one of the reasons the Reds let him go.

20 seasons as a manager is a pretty long time.

[AUTiger7222]

I totally thought that was Roy Williams at first glance.

So did I. LOL.

[AUTiger7222]

20 seasons as a manager is a pretty long time.

Yeah and Baker has never won anything in how many trips to the playoffs? It was the same reason the Chargers fired Marty Schottenheimer after 2006 in which the Chargers posted a 14-2 record. It's because they, and the rest of the NFL, realized that Schottenheimer, no matter how good the team is/was, was never going to get the job done. The Reds, and the rest of baseball, finally realized the same thing on Baker. Fredi Gonzalez isn't there year. He's only been an MLB manager for 7 years with 2 trips to the playoffs.

[NinersSBChamps]

Yeah and Baker has never won anything in how many trips to the playoffs? It was the same reason the Chargers fired Marty Schottenheimer after 2006 in which the Chargers posted a 14-2 record. It's because they, and the rest of the NFL, realized that Schottenheimer, no matter how good the team is/was, was never going to get the job done. The Reds, and the rest of baseball, finally realized the same thing on Baker. Fredi Gonzalez isn't there year. He's only been an MLB manager for 7 years with 2 trips to the playoffs.

I don't know and I don't care to look up Dusty Baker's record in the post season. So when the Braves get eliminated in their next playoff series again this season, if they are lucky enough to make it what happens to Fredi?

[Oklahomahawk]

Not sure how Fredi can get an extension after that showing in the playoffs last year. I'm willing to see if he grows as a manager but this is now a win-now team. Can't have a manager making insane decisions that potentially costs us playoff games (KIMBREL!)

Hmm, great regular season manager, suckier than sucky in the postseason. Hmmm, where did he learn that.........Hmmmm...........

[jason27nc]

Can't say as I am happy with the Fredi part but I am glad for Wren. Fredi is a good manager but he does not have that "IT" factor. Maybe this year he proves me wrong. I sure hope so.

[yeezus]

I don't know and I don't care to look up Dusty Baker's record in the post season. So when the Braves get eliminated in their next playoff series again this season, if they are lucky enough to make it what happens to Fredi?

Dude, you are the worst fan. "When they lose again." For real? Kick rocks.

[Hawk]

Fredi ain't flashy, but he's consistent.

[ChapelHillMatt]

You say that like its a good thing but I guess you're just happy with division titles?

Not completely satisfied but yes I do think winning your division is an accomplishment. I also think Fredi can improve as a manager.

[zitothebrave]

Can't say as I am happy with the Fredi part but I am glad for Wren. Fredi is a good manager but he does not have that "IT" factor. Maybe this year he proves me wrong. I sure hope so.

Well Terry Francona won 2 world series so you never know. Francona is a worse manager than Fredi so you never know.

Problem is that you don't like having a weakness at manager because poor planning can put you in a bad position where you're totally reliant on your players to dig you out of a hole. For example, the time Fredi didn't bring in Kimbrel with the season on the line and the meat of the order coming up.

[Julio3000]

Not completely satisfied but yes I do think winning your division is an accomplishment. I also think Fredi can improve as a manager.

He's already improved. He just often seems to be reeeeeaaaaalllly slow to figure stuff out, like that Zeus or John J. McGraw isn't going to hurl a lightning bolt at him if he uses his backup catcher to PH instead of, like, Paul Janish.

[BremanFan88]

like that Zeus or John J. McGraw isn't going to hurl a lightning bolt at him

Fredi prays to both the Old Gods and the New...

[NYCBrave]

So from what I've learned in this thread, we have so much talent that our manager has no impact on the team, and this guy would do a better job than Fredi:

http://savagehenrymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/scarecrow.jpg

[thethe]

So from what I've learned in this thread, we have so much talent that our manager has no impact on the team, and this guy would do a better job than Fredi:

http://savagehenrymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/scarecrow.jpg

As long as he can point to Kimbrel then he just might be.

[BremanFan88]

As long as he can point to Kimbrel then he just might be.

That guy would be afraid of Kimbrel's heat but still better than Fredi.

[NinersSBChamps]

Dude, you are the worst fan. "When they lose again." For real? Kick rocks.

Okay. Have a good day. I won't stoop to your level anymore though.

[chipchildress]

fredi is an awful manager on the field.

he may not be awful in the clubhouse however. i'm just not sure how smart the guy is.

[AUTiger7222]

fredi is an awful manager on the field.

he may not be awful in the clubhouse however. i'm just not sure how smart the guy is.

There are plenty worse managers than Fredi Gonzalez. If you don't know that then you don't pay attention. If you don't see the improvement Fredi has made from 2011 until now then you haven't been paying attention.

[Dalyn]

There are plenty worse managers than Fredi Gonzalez. If you don't know that then you don't pay attention. If you don't see the improvement Fredi has made from 2011 until now then you haven't been paying attention.

Even with the "improvements" he is a poor in-game manager. And his improvements are often more along the lines of, "That didn't work. I'll do the exact opposite."

[AUTiger7222]

Even with the "improvements" he is a poor in-game manager. And his improvements are often more along the lines of, "That didn't work. I'll do the exact opposite."

:facepalm:

[yeezus]

Okay. Have a good day. I won't stoop to your level anymore though.

My level, says the one who was SUSPENDED FROM THIS BOARD for childish, racist remarks.
You're right, you're not at my level, and never will be. I'm intelligent.

[thewupk]

Even with the "improvements" he is a poor in-game manager. And his improvements are often more along the lines of, "That didn't work. I'll do the exact opposite."

The Braves have had a poor in game manager for 25 years now. So it's not like this is anything knew. Bobby was horrible at it too. But like Bobby I think Freddi's biggest positive is handling the clubhouse which over a full season is more important. Yes poor in game managers can screw you in the playoffs as we saw last year.

[NinersSBChamps]

My level, says the one who was SUSPENDED FROM THIS BOARD for childish, racist remarks.
You're right, you're not at my level, and never will be. I'm intelligent.

Okay great. Ttyl braj.

[sturg33]

The fact that the majority of this board is well ahead of Fredi's correct decisions is pretty damning. The three that stick out the most to me are:

1. Starting Constanza over Heyward bc he was hitting well for a few games in a row - while the rest of the board was begging to play the much better Heyward… I believe we collapsed our for-sure playoff appearance that year

2. Batting Simmons and BJ Upton leadoff the whole year when the board was begging for Jason Heyward about 2 months prior to the switch

3. Kimbrel. Nuff said

I can think of several other examples. But the guy just comes across as totally clueless. And I don't think he handles the media very well at all (he seems to call out players from time-to-time).

[CyYoung31]

The Braves have had a poor in game manager for 25 years now. So it's not like this is anything knew. Bobby was horrible at it too. But like Bobby I think Freddi's biggest positive is handling the clubhouse which over a full season is more important. Yes poor in game managers can screw you in the playoffs as we saw last year.

Yep. Pretty much what I was going to say.

[ChapelHillMatt]

The Braves have had a poor in game manager for 25 years now. So it's not like this is anything knew. Bobby was horrible at it too. But like Bobby I think Freddi's biggest positive is handling the clubhouse which over a full season is more important. Yes poor in game managers can screw you in the playoffs as we saw last year.

How many great in game managers are there? I'd be interested in seeing the list. It seems like every baseball game I watch a manager makes a move you can 2nd guess. Which leads me to believe managing is a lot harder than people think. I'd much rather have a guy that can run a good clean clubhouse than one who is a strategic genius. Managing 25 egos over the course of 162 games can't be easy.

I just can't justify being overly critical of someone that wins as much as Fredi does. It's disappointing that we continue to come up short in October but that's been a part of our history ever since I started watching Braves baseball so we should be used to it by now. Fredi is doing nothing differently than what we've seen since the run started in 1991.

[Russ2dollas]

Not a Freddie guy. But the players seem to like him. I think with the marathon of a season having a great clubhouse manager is the most important thing. He seems willing to think about other ways of approaching the game. If we were going to get a Saber GM, then I'd want a new manager. But with Wrenn, Freddie is a fine pair.

Wrenn...I hope this offseason is the new Wrenn. Concentrate on signing guys you know and stay out of the FA market. Grow and sign our own guys and supplement our line up with SHORT term contracts from other teams. Keep the bullpen cheap but a priority. Basically I love Wrenn if he just stays out of the 10+ million/yr and more than 2 year FA signings.