While inevitable that someone would shoulder the blame for the Atlanta Braves’ pathetic, uninspired collapse, the organization should not have parted ways with General Manager Frank Wren.

The Braves axed Wren after the Braves fell apart down the stretch and became eliminated from playoff contention. The team has failed to win a playoff series since 2001, yet sees itself as contenders every year. Frustration with Wren that brewed for quite some time reached a boiling point, leading to his demise.

Yes, the lucrative deals handed out to busts Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton represent a major stain on his record. The money wasted on their dead weight prevented the Braves from bringing in reinforcements, and because the contracts run past this season, this particular blunder will haunt the Braves in the future as well.

However, Wren made his share of savvy acquisitions. He thieved All-Star leftfielder Justin Upton away from the Diamondbacks, along with third baseman Chris Johnson. While Johnson may not have been worth extending for the future, he did come close to winning a batting title in 2013. Other effective moves were the acquisitions of Javier Vasquez and Michael Bourn. Both were acquired relatively cheaply and paid big dividends.

Wren also helped build a strong farm system, and emphasized maintaining it. The amount of homegrown talent on the current roster is nothing short of astounding. He drafted defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons, team ace Julio Teheran, southpaw starters Alex Wood and Mike Minor, folk hero Evan Gattis, and All-Star shutdown closer Craig Kimbrel, among others. And while Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Kris Medlen were drafted before Wren was GM, he served as an assistant to previous GM John Schuerholz at the time. He undoubtedly played a part in bringing those franchise stars to Atlanta as well.

Despite firing Wren, the Braves prognosis for the future remains positive. The team boasts one of the youngest cores in the major leagues, one that will continue to improve. Interim GM John Hart possesses experience in the position, and with the rest of the front office headed by Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox and Schuerholz, the franchise appears in good hands.

But if firing Frank Wren was seen as necessary to upper management, it only makes sense to continue the process and relieve manager Fredi Gonzalez of his duties, along with hitting coaches Greg Walker and Larry Fletcher. Only so much of the blame can be placed on one person, and the Braves could benefit from fresh faces in the clubhouse, too.