Former Braves GM regrets B.J. Upton deal

Nearly two years after Frank Wren signed B.J. Upton to the richest free-agent contract in franchise history, the former Atlanta Braves general manager wishes he never recruited the struggling talent.

Wren, who was fired by the Braves on Sept. 22, told MLB Network Radio on Sunday that he wants a mulligan on the five-year, $75.25 million contract Upton signed in November 2012.

"It just didn't work in Atlanta," Wren said. "It hasn't worked in Atlanta."

Upton secured the mega-deal after hitting .246 with a .298 on-base percentage for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, but his combination of power and speed in center field was too tempting for the Braves to pass up.

"It's one thing to have a leadoff hitter," Wren said during Upton's introductory press conference two winters ago. " ... But to get someone who can play center field at (Upton's) caliber and can also hit 20 to 30 home runs, that's a different dimension."

Upton's production plummeted to new depths in Atlanta, potentially playing a factor in Wren's firing after the under-achieving Braves finished 17 games out of first place in 2014.

Only the Chicago White Sox's Dayan Viciedo has been worth fewer wins than Upton among major-league outfielders since 2013, according to FanGraphs. During his time with the Braves, Upton has created 34 percent fewer runs than league average.

Upton, 30, is owed more than $45 million over the next three seasons.