Bob Nightengale Weighs In on the Front Office

Seemingly every day now, we’re getting new information from national writers on the fate of Braves’ management.  Today, it is Bob Nightengale from the USA Today:

Okay, What Does This Mean?

I have but one conclusion to draw from this:  Frank Wren’s days are numbered.

In a review of the Front Office staff of the Atlanta Braves, there is no position entitled “Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.”  The closest titles to that?

• Executive Vice President and General Manager – Frank Wren
• Vice President and Assistant GM/Player Development – Bruce J. Manno

Currently, all of “Baseball Operations” would fall under the direction of these two executives.  Manno’s role in ‘Player Development’ means “minor leagues,” though he’s involved at all levels.

I’m not going to belabor this point, as we are going to see a lot more on this subject in the coming 2-3 weeks, but my best interpretation of Nightengale’s scoop is the following:

• John Hart will soon be reviewing and approving all baseball decisions made for the Braves
• This means that Frank Wren has – at most – two choices:  (a) accept this new oversight of everything he does; or (b) resign.
• Clearly, he may not be left with the first choice.

What Else?

Two possibilities:

1.  Either Atlanta goes on an external search for a new General Manager – which likely would result in ramping back John Hart’s  new-found powers, or (and I believe this is more likely)…

2.  Assistant GM John Coppolella gets promoted to the Big Chair, and is mentored by John Hart for a year or two whilst he proves to John Schuerholz et al that he can handle these new reins of leadership.  Previous titles held by Coppolella include “Director of Baseball Administration” and “Director of Professional Scouting”.  Currently, he is the highest ranking executive within the Baseball Operations department.

What about Bruce Manno?  He could be collateral damage in the purge.  Sure, there’s a chance that he could get Wren’s job, though I think it’s likely he could also be ousted along with Wren.  Coppolella is the rising star, and thus could be the pick.  If he’s not, then the Braves will probably lose him to another club anyway.

That’s my take.  And no, it says nothing (yet) about changes in the dugout – this is strictly a Front Office shuffle.

Let’s hear your thoughts.

UPDATE (from Ken Rosenthal on video this afternoon):  his first thoughts exactly match my “more likely” thought from above: Coppolella promoted and John Hart becomes his mentor.  However, he also raises the possibility of Dayton Moore returning to Atlanta from Kansas City.  Please no.  Don’t do that one.  Hat tip to MLBTR for nothing Rosenthal’s comments first.