Atlanta Braves Trade Deadline: Rating Their Acquisitions, Title Chances

Two weeks ago, Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren made it very clear that he was searching for help in the outfield, as well as another power bat and reliever, with the trade deadline approaching. Yesterday, Wren traded for Houston Astros outfielder Michael Bourn, thus fulfilling the team's need for another speedy outfielder.

While Bourn's addition to the team is a good one, Wren was not able to pull the trigger on a reliever, meaning Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel will likely continue to be used on a day-in, day-out basis.

That being said, this slideshow will grade Braves GM Frank Wren's work over the course of the past few weeks.

Finding a CenterfIelder: A

When center fielder Nate McLouth landed on the Disabled List last week, the Braves front office, fresh off losing Carlos Beltran to the San Francisco Giants and Colby Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays, had to scramble to acquire an outfielder before the July 31 trade deadline.

Names like B.J. Upton and Ryan Ludwick were being linked to the team, but instead, Wren managed to acquire Michael Bourn, a player in the midst of his best season in the majors. As of the trade, Bourn was batting .303 with one home run and 32 RBI in 105 games with the Astros. He also had 39 stolen bases, nearly the total of the entire Braves team combined.

He was a good signing, as the Braves have been lacking a true lead-off hitter since the days of Rafael Furcal, and his glove will be an asset for the team in the outfield. Also, Bourn appears to have come at the right price, as the Braves were able to hang onto their "Big Four" pitching prospects and lose only Jordan Schafer and three prospects. Wren earns an A on this acquisition.

Get More Relief Pitching: F

There was much speculation that the Braves would try to acquire a reliever before the trade deadline to help Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel get an extra day or two of rest, but Wren was unable to find one at the right price. In fact, there was little mention of the team speaking to other organizations about a member of their relieving corps.

The effects of this will likely been seen soon, as Venters, who leads the majors in appearances with 59, and Kimbrel, who is third in appearances with 54, may require extra days of rest in order to better prepare for a run down the stretch. One internal solution is that Eric O'Flaherty, who has appeared in only 54 games, may be asked to pitch more. The Braves' bullpen is good, but will they be able to shut down games late if Kimbrel or Venters is unavailable?

Acquire a Bat: N/A

I had initially plugged in an F for this, but, upon re-examining, decided N/A was a better grade because the team didn't need to acquire a power bat like so many expected thanks largely to the fact that second baseman Dan Uggla is heating up fast.

In the last month, Uggla is hitting .305 with eight home runs and 19 RBI and has raised his overall batting average to .206. Uggla and Freeman, who both carried 10-plus game hitting streaks into Monday's game against the Florida Marlins, have been carrying the Braves' offense since All-Star catcher Brian McCann landed on the DL, so much so that Wren didn't feel it necessary to acquire a power bat.

If Uggla and Freeman can stay hot, the Braves will make a run at the Philadelphia Phillies in the East.

Recap

As of Monday, the Braves have 53 games remaining on their 2011 schedule, 25 of which will be played at Turner Field. They go head-to-head with the Phillies six more times this season, including a three game series at The Ted to finish out the regular season. If the Braves can take care of business against the National League's worst clubs—namely the Dodgers, Nationals and Cubs—the race should tighten up.

The addition of Bourn will add a lot of speed to the Braves' lineup, something that's been missing for more than five seasons (when Furcal last wore a Braves uniform). But Wren's inability to acquire another reliever may prove costly in mid-September, when the team will likely call on Venters and Kimbrel on a nightly basis.

All things considered, I think Frank Wren deserves a solid B in regards to his performance over of the past few weeks. I would've loved to see Hunter Pence roaming the Turner Field outfield, but think hanging on to Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Arodys Vizcaino will work to the Braves' favor for years to come.