Examining Fredi's comments about BJ Upton

As you have most likely already seen, Fredi Gonzalez made some comments about BJ Upton to members of the Associated Press before the start of Friday’s series opener against Washington.  While discussing player performance with the media is nothing new, there are varying degrees of tactfulness employed in such acts that are dependent upon the person in question.  To use a familiar reference, Bobby Cox made it a point to never use the media as a medium for airing what I like to call “club business”, opting instead to handle issues behind the veil of secrecy that is the clubhouse door.

That is not to say that Bobby’s way is the right way in every situation, because it isn’t.  A baseball manager, like any other manager, must manage personalities effectively, placing each subordinate into the best position to succeed.  Channeling their strengths toward the greater benefit of the organization and addressing opportunities is at the very essence of that.  Three years into his reign, Fredi seems to be able to do these things roughly as effectively as any other manager in the game, and while he may not be the best, he’s certainly not the worst.  He knows these players, and if anyone is in a position to make a judgment call about how to handle an issue, it’s him.  With that in mind, one can’t help but wonder whether or not he could have chosen his words more carefully.  Here is a quote from the interview that commands closer attention:

"In my own mind, you think about those things, but really I haven't gotten to that point, I think there's some logistics -- contractual things and that sort of stuff -- that they might not be able to do it that easy."

Here, likely prompted by a member of the press, he is referring to the idea of sending BJ Upton to Gwinnett to work out his issues at the plate.  However, he acknowledges the fact that contractual issues could complicate matters to the point where it may not be feasible to do so.  Looking at this from an outsider’s perspective, it seems that Fredi is on the fence about BJ’s presence in Atlanta given his current output level, but he knows his hands are tied by the fact that, ultimately, it is not his decision.  Let’s give that some thought.  In the long run, who makes the final call on this issue?  Frank Wren.  Fredi’s opinion undoubtedly carries a considerable amount of sway with the GM, but at the end of the day, it’s Wren’s signature that matters, not Fredi’s. 

No one is saying that BJ Upton’s performance has been up to anyone’s standards, least of all his own, and there is certainly no sense in blaming the Braves for keeping all options open as far as his performance is concerned.  After all, this team is built to win now and in the future, and any hindrances to their ability to do so should be reconciled swiftly.  Nevertheless, using the media as a tool to manage “club business” is probably one of the less effective resources available to a manager in the contemporary sports landscape (just ask the NY Jets and the Red Sox).  In a market like New York or Los Angeles, these comments would not have received as much play as they do here, because in those places, comments like Fredi’s are par for the course, perhaps even tame.  One sentiment I have heard echoed countless times from fellow Braves fans is appreciation for the fact that the team has avoided such media attention, preferring to deal with such issues behind closed doors.  When the team does this, it controls the narrative.  That may not seem like a big deal as it relates to on the field performance, and it won’t turn a 75-win team into a 90-win team, but it makes the lives of those on the team easier because they’re not having to combat superfluous media attention brought about by something that could have otherwise been controlled. 

(Reference courtesy of ESPN)