Anyone else starting to worry about our front office?

[CharlotteBrave]

I've liked Wren so far, and I think he's made some solid moves, but beyond those moves, I'm starting to worry. The Braves are slowly turning into the Baltimore Orioles old front office. This is a problem; because I think the last thing most of us want to see is a product similar to the product the Orioles put on the field year in and year out.

Then I look further at lists like this: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/10/25/1100362/atlanta-braves-top-20-prospects

And realize that our minor league pitching stable is as weak as it's been in years, and outside of Heyward & Freeman is very pedestrian. The Braves' farm has been one of the best in the bigs over the last 25 years, and is a HUGE reason for all of their success, however; it seems to be be getting worse. Is this because of all our front office changes? There's really no way to tell, but I think having all these ex Orioles employees is a bad omen.

Thoughts?

[Dreamscape]

Well, the one thing constant in Baltimore has been a meddling owner named Peter Angelos.

What has hurt the farm system isn't the front office changes, but what occurred prior to the front office. It takes awhile to get a crop of great players, especially when half of them get traded by Schuerholz in his final couple of years. The previous systems had a large crop of players because they were being groomed over a handful of years. When Wren took over, he didn't have that in his backpocket.

I'm not worried about the front office. Now if they promote Terry Pendleton to manager in 2011...then, I'll be worried about their sanity.

ADDED:
Also, I think you had Jordan Schafer to the list and it helps out. He has B+ skills, but "graduated" from prospect status even though I would still consider him a prospect. I think people forget the ability he has. I fully expect the starting outfield in two years to be McLouth in left, Schafer in center, and Heyward in right.

[Agent-X-]

I've liked Wren so far, and I think he's made some solid moves, but beyond those moves, I'm starting to worry. The Braves are slowly turning into the Baltimore Orioles old front office. This is a problem; because I think the last thing most of us want to see is a product similar to the product the Orioles put on the field year in and year out.

Then I look further at lists like this: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/10/25/1100362/atlanta-braves-top-20-prospects

And realize that our minor league pitching stable is as weak as it's been in years, and outside of Heyward & Freeman is very pedestrian. The Braves' farm has been one of the best in the bigs over the last 25 years, and is a HUGE reason for all of their success, however; it seems to be be getting worse. Is this because of all our front office changes? There's really no way to tell, but I think having all these ex Orioles employees is a bad omen.

Thoughts?

You have to grade Wren on what's happened since he arrived. If there's a drought of talent moving up through the system, then that's indicative of decisions made years ago. What has he done so far? Has he built toward the future? I'd say yes.

What will really be telling is what he chooses to do with Vazquez and Hudson. Will he resign Hudson and deal Vazquez? If so, will it be for prospects or a bat? That should tip his hand on his longterm goals, and my hope is that he is not to one extreme or the other with rebuilding vs competing.

[KB 34]

The Braves farm system took a bit of a hit when the Braves got Vazquez and then McLouth, which helped the team. I'm a bit less concerned about the farm system with Jurrjens, Hanson, and Heyward in mind. It's getting the jobs of developing stars and sending players away to suckers accomplished.

[CharlotteBrave]

I guess my main issue is that we're slowly hiring away all of the old Baltimore Orioles office. I'm not as familiar with their organization, but I'm familiar with the fact that the Orioles are extremely average every year. Then, I look at the farm system, and I do worry, but I also realize it's not these guys' who just came in's faults.