MLB Investigation results into Braves may not come until December, per report

The Atlanta Braves continue to await word on the result of MLB’s investigation into alleged wrongdoings by the team’s front office. Well they may be waiting a bit longer. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the investigation is ongoing and that there might not be a resolution until December.

Former special assistant Gordon Blakeley was scheduled to meet with MLB investigators this week for a second interview. Crasnick’s report lends us to believe that there will be more interviews to follow.

The problem for the Braves is that free agency has begun and the offseason isn’t going to wait for them. The team has been virtually silent since the investigation began and we can assume that it will be John Hart who will represent the team at next week’s general managers meetings.

As the AJC’s David O’Brien pointed out yesterday, the Braves aren’t prohibited by the investigation from hiring a new GM to replace the departed John Coppolella or even a new president of baseball operations to replace Hart if that is what Liberty Media decides is the best course of action. However, they appear to be in a holding pattern while waiting for MLB’s announcement. The team has also held off on announcing well reported changes to its coaching staff.

If this drags out until December can they really afford to wait? Should we assume that since Hart is still in place that the team expects him to be cleared in MLB’s investigation and that he will remain with the front office for at least the near future.

So many questions but so few answers. It appears we are going to have to wait a bit longer to find out.