ATLANTA -- When the world awoke on Thursday to celebrate New Year's Day, Braves general manager Frank Wren once again had reason to relate with Bill Murray's character from "Groundhog Day."

While the calendar might have changed to 2009, Wren still found himself presented with the frustrating reality that he must address the same primary needs that were present on a daily basis during the final two months of 2008.

Thus some time between now and when Spring Training begins, he can only hope to arise one morning to the comfort of knowing that the previous day's needs were fulfilled with the acquisition of at least one starting pitcher or a veteran outfielder.

Entering the offseason, Wren's wish list was topped with a frontline starter and a power-hitting outfielder. With A.J. Burnett wearing Yankee pinstripes and Jake Peavy still a Padre, this list essentially still looks like it has since the Phillies capped the 2008 season with a world championship.

Having won 11 of the past 14 division titles, the Braves have been the National League East's most successful team during the past two decades. But the three World Series trophies won by NL East teams over the course of the past 13 seasons have rested outside of Atlanta and Turner Field has remained dormant during each of the past three Octobers.

Looking to regain the pitching excellence that brought his organization its previous prolonged success, Wren entered this offseason intent on landing an ace. But it now appears his rotation-reconstruction process is aimed simply at adding depth to a starting staff currently headed by Javier Vazquez, who was acquired in an early December trade with the White Sox.

While capable of finding success back in the National League, Vazquez certainly isn't viewed as the same kind of difference-making acquisition that Burnett or Peavy might have proven to be.

There's still absolutely no indication that the Braves are interested in revisiting trade talks for Peavy. As for Derek Lowe, it appears they may show more interest in him if his cost drops and he's willing to pitch for an annual salary of approximately $12 million.

Before pitchers and catchers report to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Feb. 14, it appears Wren will be more likely to upgrade his starting rotation with the acquisition of Jon Garland or Andy Pettitte.

Wren will also continue to monitor the progress made by John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, who are both attempting to return from season-ending surgical procedures. Over the next couple of weeks, these two veteran hurlers should be able to provide a better indication as to whether they'll be healthy enough to pitch again in 2009.

While searching for starters, Wren will also continue to look at ways to improve his outfield mix via the trade market. With the Cardinals still looking to move an outfielder, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick remain on Atlanta's radar.

As for Andruw Jones, who is expected to be released or traded by the Dodgers before the start of Spring Training, there will be some in Braves camp hoping to bring him back to Atlanta at a bargain price.

But there will also be others who will be hesitant to take a chance on Jones, whose struggles began before he left Atlanta to join the Dodgers this past season.

Whatever decisions are made, it appears the next few weeks will be busy for the Braves, who will be staging their first full-squad workout on Feb. 18. The Grapefruit League season will begin on Feb. 25

The Braves will soon be releasing information about their AutographFest, which is scheduled for Turner Field on Jan. 24. The night before at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead, they'll stage their first Diamond Gala, which will raise funds for the Braves Foundation.

The Diamond Gala will provide fans a chance to play casino games, take part in silent auctions and enjoy a number of other entertainment options with their favorite Braves players and personalities of today and yesteryear.