Some of us have been downright wrong when we've playfully referred to Schuerholz as Napoleon. Napoleon was a dictator. Schuerholz is a true leader.

There are other general managers who might understand the science of baseball, but I'm not sure if there's ever been somebody who understands how to run a baseball organization better than Schuerholz.

Throughout his 26 seasons as a general manager, Schuerholz regularly surrounded himself with good people and sound minds. Under his guidance, he was able to delegate responsibility to them with complete confidence that they could handle the task of annually making the attempt to construct a championship-caliber team.

Schuerholz will continue to take this same approach as the team's president. As was announced last week, he'll still be overseeing the baseball operations department and now officially has the distinction of overseeing the business department.

Thus whenever anybody has asked what this will mean to the organization, I've just kind of shrugged my shoulders and said, "Not a whole lot." Even during those days when Stan Kasten served as the team president, my perception always was that this was Schuerholz's organization.

That's not intended to short change Kasten's business knowledge. But when it comes to understanding how to operate a baseball organization in a successful and professional manner, one would only be an idiot not to lean upon Schuerholz's guidance.

At the same time, I'm not short-changing the type of influence Frank Wren will have while now serving in his role as general manager. While serving as Schuerholz's assistant for the past seven seasons, Wren has handled many of the everyday duties required by this role that he has now deservedly been presented.

Had Schuerholz simply retired and walked away from the organization, whether appropriate or not, there might be more reason to wonder where this highly respected organization was headed. The same kind of wonder was present when legendary NFL coach Bill Walsh left the 49ers after the 1989 Super Bowl and gave his right-hand man George Seifert the head coaching duties.

Walsh's fingerprints were on those two Super Bowl champion teams coached by Seifert. And Schuerholz's fingerprints will be on many of the moves that Wren makes.

While saying this, Wren is deserving of this promotion and quite capable of serving as a general manager. He's served under both Dave Dombrowski and Schuerholz. If he'd been training to be a U.S. General, this would have been like training under Douglas MacArthur and George Patton.

Forget about that ill-fated stint Wren had as the Orioles general manager in 1999. Ownership never gave him the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and leadership skills that have only been enhanced during his time with Schuerholz.

Those who know Schuerholz, know his personality won't allow him to simply assume this role and just occasionally keep tabs on an organization that he proudly built to its current strength. At the same, it's going to be nice to see Wren recognized for fulfilling many of the duties he's already successfully handled in Schuerholz's shadow over the past seven seasons.

Who are the Braves' free agents this offseason? Who are they most likely to re-sign and least likely to re-sign?
-- Shawn W., Maumee, Ohio

Those players eligible to file for free agency are Octavio Dotel, Julio Franco, Andruw Jones, Tanyon Sturtze and Chris Woodward. Obviously, it's already been announced that Jones won't return and I won't be surprised if the same goes for the other four players.

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Sturtze and Woodward certainly won't be coming back to the Braves organization next year. Dotel definitely won't have his $5.5 million option exercised. If he's back, which I doubt, it will be at a much cheaper price.

My guess regarding Franco is that he might possibly be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. It would be nice to see him actually play until he celebrates his 50th birthday in August. But at the same time, it might be hard for the Braves or any other organization to justifiably use him to fill one of their 25 roster spots.

Now that Leo Mazzone was let go by the Baltimore, is there any way he would come back to Atlanta?
-- Tom R., Livonia, Ga.

When I read the first few questions that contained this subject, I was planning to attempt to find a more pertinent topic. My incorrect assumption was that after he exited to take the Orioles job two years ago, enough had been written to clearly indicate his departure created no tears within the Braves organization.

But since so many asked about Mazzone's potential return, I'll make it simple and say it ain't happening. Some of you suggested for sentimental reasons it would be great to bring both Mazzone and Tom Glavine back next year.

I'll just say if the Braves were planning on constructing a reunion team next year, there would be a much greater chance of seeing Charlie Leibrandt back in the rotation than of having Mazzone back on Bobby Cox's coaching staff.

Is it possible that Glenn Hubbard is being groomed for a managerial position, possibly with the Braves?
-- Ed A., Hendersonville, Tenn.

Hubbard's skills as a coach are invaluable. His ability to groom Marcus Giles and Kelly Johnson into second basemen was certainly impressive. And now, when I say I've never thought of Hubbard as a manager, I do so because he's never given any inclination that he wants the role.

Hubbard brings his lunch-pail, blue-collar approach to the ballpark on a daily occasion and has never sought the public limelight. He has the players' respect and knowledge that would allow him the opportunity to be a successful manager. But he's never one to toot his own horn and because of that, it's always been easy to forget about him when thinking about managerial candidates.

While saying this, I'm not sure he'd enjoy the public exposure that he'd face while serving as a manager. But I do know that I enjoy listening to him dissect the game with the same passion that many of you loved to see him display during his playing days in Atlanta.

What ever happened with Javy Lopez? I know he went to Colorado, but what has happened to him since?
-- Stephen M., Daytona Beach, Fla.

Over the past few years, I've never really responded to any of these questions with an answer ... until now.

Based on the amount of questions I've received about Leo and Javy, I have to ask, "Do they have the same agent and did he put all of you up to sending all of these questions?"

Lopez was released by two teams (Orioles and Red Sox) last year and didn't make it out of Spring Training with the Rockies this year. Despite the fact that no other Major League team opted to employ him this year, I've heard he still aspires to play.

About his chances of playing in Atlanta next year, I'll only say they are at least marginally better than Mazzone coaching with the Braves in 2008.