On Monday, the Braves fired GM Frank Wren after being officially eliminated from the 2014 Postseason. Wren spent 15 years in the Braves organization, and was GM since 2007.
Similarly, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has been with the Phillies since 1998, and GM since 2008.
The Braves made the playoffs three times under Wren, and were up near 90 wins several times. Under Amaro, the Phillies also made the playoffs three times, and averaged 97 wins from 2009-2011 before the team fell off.
Wren gave out big contracts to Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton–both who have greatly underperformed. Amaro gave big contracts to Ryan Howard and Cliff Lee. Howard hasn’t performed anywhere close to as well as he should based on his contract, and Lee–who is injured right now–has done well, but his contract has hurt the Phillies in trade discussions and in money allocation for the rest of the team.
Amaro also handed out difficult contracts to guys like A.J. Burnett and Marlon Byrd, and has had several failed signings like Delmon Young and Jim Thome (still love ya, Jim), among others.
The point here is that the Braves firing Wren during a poor season, after a rather successful stretch of seasons, sends a message throughout Major League Baseball and fans alike. Especially fans of the Phillies. I think the pressure on Amaro and the Phillies has gotten that much more intense with the firing of Wren.
