{{Infobox person | name = Frank Wren | image = Frank Wren Jan 2013.jpg | caption = Wren in 2013 | birth_date = {{birth date and age |1958|3|17}} | birth_place = [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education =[[St. Petersburg Junior College]] | occupation = baseball executive | spouse = Terri | parents = | children = Jordan, Colby, [[Kyle Wren|Kyle]] }} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014|}}
'''Franklin E. Wren''' (born March 17, 1958) is an American front office executive in [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Baseball America Executive Database|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/execdb/?show=exec&eid=wrenfr01|access-date=9 November 2014|publisher=Baseball America}}</ref> He began his baseball career as a minor league player for the Montreal Expos and later joined the team as an executive. Wren moved to the Florida Marlins in 1991, then was hired by the Baltimore Orioles in 1998 for his first stint as a general manager. After the season, Wren was hired by the Atlanta Braves. The Braves promoted Wren to general manager in 2007, a role he kept until 2014. He joined the [[Boston Red Sox]] in September 2015.
==Career==
===Montreal Expos=== Wren graduated from [[Northeast High School (St. Petersburg, Florida)|Northeast High School]] in St. Petersburg.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Glenn|title=Frank Wren: Benched by Spinal Meningitis|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19790621&id=zxwOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6600,1189115|access-date=9 November 2014|work=The Evening Independent|date=21 June 1979}}</ref> He then attended [[St. Petersburg Junior College]] and signed with the [[Montreal Expos]] as an [[outfielder]] in 1977. In five [[minor league baseball|minor league]] seasons, Wren [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .259 and peaked with a 38-game stint with the Double-A [[Memphis Chicks (Southern League)|Memphis Chicks]] in 1980. He accepted a job coaching in the Expos organization in 1981 while recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. After trying to resume his playing career in the spring of 1982, Wren became a full-time coach that June with the Jamestown Expos.<ref name=punches>{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Joe|title=Rolling with punches Frank Wren|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/10/31/rolling-with-punches-frank-wren-the-first-time-general-manager-feels-prepared-for-his-task-with-the-orioles-it-took-a-brain-tumor-as-a-player-a-near-miss-at-the-padres-gm-job-and-more-to-get-here/|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=Baltimore Sun|date=31 October 1998|archive-date=November 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109031941/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1998-10-31/sports/1998304049_1_frank-wren-general-manager-ninth|url-status=live}}</ref> He joined the front office as general manager of Jamestown in October 1984 and was promoted to assistant director of scouting in September 1985. He was named director of Latin American scouting in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|title=Braves Sign General Manager Frank Wren to Two-Year Contract Extension|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694622&vkey=pr_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109041213/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694622&vkey=pr_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|access-date=8 November 2014|work=MLB.com|date=21 February 2011}}</ref>
===Florida Marlins=== In September 1991, Wren's boss, Expos GM [[Dave Dombrowski]], accepted the position of GM of the [[Florida Marlins]], a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] expansion franchise set to begin play in 1993, at which Wren followed Dombrowski to the Marlins as the club's assistant GM.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Edes|first1=Gordon|title=Third Expo Set To Join Marlins|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-29/sports/9102080714_1_expos-marlins-frank-wren|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141109004822/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-29/sports/9102080714_1_expos-marlins-frank-wren|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=Sun Sentinel|date=29 September 1991}}</ref> By 1996, he was promoted to vice president.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brousseau|first1=Dave|title=Deal Closed: Marlins Sign Nen For Four Years|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-12-24/sports/9612230425_1_marlins-vice-president-robb-nen-new-boss|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112002454/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-12-24/sports/9612230425_1_marlins-vice-president-robb-nen-new-boss|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2015|access-date=11 January 2015|work=Sun Sentinel|date=24 December 1996}}</ref> In 1997, the veteran-laden Marlins won the franchise's first [[1997 World Series|World Series]]. In 1998, owner [[Wayne Huizenga]] would order his front office to divest the team of its high-priced veterans,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Reid|first1=Jason|title=Still Hooked|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-29-sp-marlins29-story.html|access-date=13 January 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=29 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Cox|first1=Ronald W.|last2=Skidmore-Hess|first2=Daniel|title=Free Agency and Competitive Balance in Baseball|date=2005|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786422203|page=74|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hu49-V_vd14C&q=Wayne+Huizenga+orders+fire+sale&pg=PA74}}</ref> and the Marlins spiraled into the basement of the [[National League East Division]].
===Baltimore Orioles=== Wren signed a three-year, $1.35 million contract as general manager of the [[Baltimore Orioles]] on October 23, 1998. He succeeded [[Pat Gillick]] who had left the ballclub when his contract expired earlier that month.<ref>{{cite news|title=Orioles name Wren GM|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19981024&id=GO0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=6529,6214444|access-date=9 November 2014|work=The Free Lance Star|agency=Associated Press|date=24 October 1998}}</ref> However the 1999 Orioles were a major disappointment.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Joe|title=Belle says O's quit|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/10/13/belle-says-os-quit-lobbies-for-murray-on-show-he-applauds-wrens-ripken-stand-offers-three-candidates-for-gm/|access-date=12 January 2015|work=Baltimore Sun|date=13 October 1999}}</ref> The club finished six games under .500 despite one of the highest payrolls in the game and the signing of [[free agent]] slugger [[Albert Belle]] to the most lucrative contract in team history at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sheinin|first1=Dave|title=Belle's 1st O's Season Strictly for the Birds|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/daily/aug99/31/belle31.htm|access-date=12 January 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|date=31 August 1999}}</ref> His contentious relationship with team owner [[Peter Angelos]] began in April when the latter strongly objected to Wren's attempt to dismiss manager [[Ray Miller (baseball manager)|Ray Miller]]. Wren's signings of [[Mike Timlin]] and [[Xavier Hernandez (baseball)|Xavier Hernandez]], the latter of which was rescinded and involved a $1.75 million [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]], were criticized by Angelos who alleged that both pitchers had been injured. Wren's dismissal on October 7, 1999 was the result of a September 17 incident when he ordered the Orioles' chartered jet to take off without [[Cal Ripken Jr.]] who had phoned the team earlier to inform them he was going to be a few minutes late because he was stuck in traffic.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/daily/oct99/08/os8.htm Sheinin, Dave & Justice, Richard. "Orioles Fire General Manager Wren," ''The Washington Post'', Friday, October 8, 1999.] Retrieved August 13, 2021</ref> He was succeeded by veteran executive [[Syd Thrift]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Thrift replaces Wren in O's front office|url=http://a.espncdn.com/mlb/news/1999/1222/248377.html|access-date=9 November 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=22 December 1999}}</ref>
===Atlanta Braves=== Wren then joined the Braves as top assistant GM to longtime Atlanta GM [[John Schuerholz]], a position that he held for eight seasons.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=9 November 2014|last1=Strauss|first1=Joe|last2=Kubatko|first2=Roch|title=Wren hired as Braves assistant|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/10/14/wren-hired-as-braves-assistant-fired-orioles-gm-perfect-for-position/|publisher=Baltimore Sun|date=14 October 1999}}</ref> On October 11, 2007, Schuerholz was named president of the Braves and Wren was promoted to executive vice president and GM, signing a four-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3058578|title=Longtime assistant Wren replaces Schuerholz as Braves' GM|work=ESPN.com|date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>
Wren was known for developing a strong farm system.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Justice|first1=Richard|title=Braves decide they need a new tone|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/95872998/richard-justice-different-tone-needed-in-atlanta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925084538/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/95872998/richard-justice-different-tone-needed-in-atlanta|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2014|access-date=22 September 2014|work=MLB.com|date=22 September 2014}}</ref>
Wren was released by the Braves on September 22, 2014, a day after the Braves were eliminated from playoff contention.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-fire-gm-frank-wren/nhRw2/ | title=Braves fire GM Frank Wren | work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] | date=22 September 2014 | access-date=22 September 2014 | author=O'Brien, David}}</ref> In his tenure as general manager, Wren made some effective trades to acquire a resurgent [[Javier Vázquez (baseball)|Javier Vázquez]] in 2009, [[Michael Bourn]] in 2011, and [[Justin Upton]] in 2013.<ref name="missteps"/> But some free agent signings did not go as well. [[Derek Lowe]] was signed to a 4-year, $60 million deal in 2009, but struggled in 2011, before being traded to the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Braves trade Derek Lowe to Indians|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7174095/atlanta-braves-trade-derek-lowe-cleveland-indians|access-date=26 September 2014|work=ESPN.com|date=31 October 2011}}</ref> [[Kenshin Kawakami]] was signed from the [[Chunichi Dragons]] of [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] in 2009. He spent two years with the Braves and posted an 8-22 record with a 4.32 ERA.<ref>{{cite news|title=Braves Send Kenshin Kawakami Down To Double-A|url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/2010/11/15/188562/Braves-Send-Kenshin-Kawakami-Down-To.aspx|publisher=The Chattanoogan|date=15 November 2010|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> Wren traded for [[Dan Uggla]] in the 2010 offseason and signed him to a 5-year, $62 million contract. Uggla did well for two years, then slumped before being released in 2014.<ref name="missteps">{{cite news|last1=Crasnick|first1=Jerry|title=Free-agent missteps led to demise of Wren|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/51711/free-agent-missteps-led-to-demise-of-wren|access-date=22 September 2014|work=ESPN.com|date=22 September 2014}}</ref> [[Melvin Upton]] joined the Braves on a 5-year, $75.25 million contract in 2013, but struggled through his two-year stint with the team<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Wren dismissed by Braves; Hart named interim GM|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/95839732/braves-dismiss-gm-frank-wren-name-john-hart-interim-gm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924055532/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/95839732/braves-dismiss-gm-frank-wren-name-john-hart-interim-gm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2014|access-date=26 September 2014|work=MLB.com|date=22 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Crasnick|first1=Jerry|title=This isn't how it was supposed to be|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9460366/struggles-abound-bj-justin-upton|access-date=26 September 2014|work=ESPN.com|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> before being traded to the [[San Diego Padres]] in April 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Padres Get Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/sports/padres-get-craig-kimbrel-and-melvin-upton.html?_r=0|access-date=April 13, 2015|work=New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=April 6, 2015}}</ref> The money committed to Upton was Wren's most expensive deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=B.J. Upton could be demoted|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9330692/atlanta-braves-consider-sending-bj-upton-minors|access-date=26 September 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=1 June 2013}}</ref>
===Boston Red Sox=== The [[Boston Red Sox]] named Wren the team's senior vice president of baseball operations on September 25, 2015. He succeeded [[Mike Hazen]], who had been promoted to general manager. Wren won a World Series with the Red Sox in the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Red Sox hire former Braves GM Frank Wren|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=13739142|access-date=September 26, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Wren was dismissed from the Red Sox in September 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Christopher |title=Boston Red Sox dismiss Frank Wren, VP of player personnel and one of ex-boss Dave Dombrowski's top assistants |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/09/boston-red-sox-let-go-frank-wren-vp-of-player-personnel-and-one-of-ex-boss-dave-dombrowskis-top-assistants.html |access-date=June 2, 2020 |work=The Republican |date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>
==Personal== He and his wife Terri have three sons.<ref name=ssedes>{{cite news|last1=Edes|first1=Gordon|title=Marlins' Wren Becomes Hot Property For Gm Spot|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-10-04/sports/9410040071_1_frank-wren-gm-walt-jocketty-manager-rene-lachemann|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109090900/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-10-04/sports/9410040071_1_frank-wren-gm-walt-jocketty-manager-rene-lachemann|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=Sun Sentinel|date=4 October 1994}}</ref> Jordan was drafted in the tenth round of the [[2016 Major League Baseball draft]] out of Georgia Southern University.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Christopher|title=MLB draft 2017 results: Boston Red Sox draft Jordan Wren, son of VP of player personnel Frank Wren|url=http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/06/mlb_draft_2017_results_boston_8.html|access-date=31 January 2018|publisher=Booth Newspapers|date=14 June 2017}}</ref> Colby is a former Georgia Tech infielder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegebaseballinsider.com/12Articles/GTColbyWren.html|title= Yellow Jackets' Wren Battles Medical Condition|work=College Baseball Insider|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> His twin brother, former [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball|Georgia Tech]] outfielder [[Kyle Wren]], was selected by the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in the 30th round of the [[2012 Major League Baseball Draft|2012 MLB draft]]. In [[2013 Major League Baseball Draft|2013]], Kyle was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the eighth round.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/49939110/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927211541/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/49939110/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2015|title=GM Wren's son is Braves' eighth-round pick|work=MLB.com|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=|espn=|br=|fangraphs=|brm=wren--001fra}}
{{S-start}} {{s-sports}} {{Succession box| title=[[Baltimore Orioles]] [[General Manager (baseball)|General manager]]| before=[[Pat Gillick]]| after=[[Syd Thrift]] | years={{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|1999}}}} {{Succession box| title=[[Atlanta Braves]] [[General Manager (baseball)|General manager]]| before=[[John Schuerholz]]| after=[[John Hart (baseball)|John Hart]] | years={{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2014}}}} {{S-end}}
{{Baltimore Orioles general managers}} {{Atlanta Braves general managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wren, Frank}} [[Category:1958 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Atlanta Braves executives]] [[Category:Baltimore Orioles executives]] [[Category:Baseball outfielders]] [[Category:Baseball players from St. Petersburg, Florida]] [[Category:Boston Red Sox executives]] [[Category:Gulf Coast Expos players]] [[Category:Jamestown Expos players]] [[Category:Major League Baseball general managers]] [[Category:Memphis Chicks players]] [[Category:St. Petersburg Titans baseball players]] [[Category:San Jose Expos players]] [[Category:West Palm Beach Expos players]]