FOXSportsSouth.com checks in with play-by-play announcer Chip Caray to get the latest on the Braves.
FOX SPORTS SOUTH: So let's rehash some of the Braves' big acquisitions. They bring in the Upton brothers, Chris Johnson and Jordan Walden, get David Carpenter and Jordan Schafer off waivers. Is there any doubt in your mind that general manager Frank Wren should be the executive of the year?
CC: I think he has to be in the conversation, that's for sure.
After Chipper Jones retired, the Braves were counting on their young players to step up and fill the void offensively and in leadership.
With Brian McCann missing the first weeks of the season after shoulder surgery, they got Gerald Laird, Evan Gattis won a job in spring training, they traded for Justin Upton, Jordan Walden comes in and those are all very good moves.
They only move that hasn't worked out is B.J. Upton, but he's gotten off to a hot start in September If he finishes strong this month and plays well in the playoffs, nobody is going to remember what he did the first five months of the season.
Frank's done a terrific job and has put this club in position to contend for a championship year after year after year. I think he has to be in the conversation and probably will be.
FSS: If you had to pinpoint one of those moves as the most pivotal, would it be the Justin Upton deal?
CC: I don't know. I think the one move would be the willingness to add to the club and put together a terrific bench and have guys stockpiled, so when injuries come, guys can step in.
Jordan Schafer was as big a move as anybody. Picked up off waivers, he's a plus-defender and with Jason Heyward down, he has stepped in and done a terrific job.
Not to diminish Chris Johnson, Justin Upton or anybody else but with as many moves they've made but to pick out one would be a disservice to the other ones, because each of these moves has paid dividends.
FSS: Let's talk playoffs, or at least the push to them. The magic number is dwindling and the Braves have been in first-place longer than any team this season and have had a lead of at least four games since May 21. To you, does not being constantly pushed raise any concern about the playoffs?
CC: No, the Braves have coaches that have been in playoff races before and players that have been made well aware of the big picture.
There is a race and that's a bigger race than the division and that's the best record in the National League. Home-field advantage is going to be a huge advantage if the Braves can get it.
Nothing's been clinched, nothing's been won, not even the division title, not even home-field advantage. That's the push from the last guy on the bench to the front office.
