The 2014 Atlanta Braves are sinking fast. Now five games out of first pace, this team seems destined to stay home in October. The pitching on this club is still deep and worthy of a playoff spot, but their offense couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag. There are few other options with this team, except to shuffle the deck, and deal some face cards away.

This is August and teams are desperate to make moves that might cause a spark, and the waiver wire is the best way to accomplish this. Players that you hold on to and build  around: Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis, Julio Teheran Tommy LaStella, Craig Kimbrel and Andrelton Simmons. Players up for grabs: anybody else!

In all likely-hood, most teams won't bite on most of these contracts, but it's worth a shot. The all or nothing, swing for the fences approach that the entire line up has, makes this offense unwatchable.  Even if the Braves have to eat some of the money, fresh faces and a new approach in the box would be a breath of fresh air.

It would be nice to keep Justin Upton, but he might be the lure that hooks a big fish in a trade. If a team would take on B.J. Upton's contract, the Braves might have to throw his talented brother and or young arm into the mix. If that move cleared money and brought in a good prospect or two, it would breathe new life into the organization. As it stands now, Atlanta is trapped by bad moves that can blamed on general manager Frank Wren.

Fredi Gonzalez isn't freed of blame either. Putting one of the worst contact hitters in baseball in the lead-off spot,  just to instill confidence, is a head scratcher that has not worked at all. Pitching coach Roger McDowell should be locked up as long as the front office can, but the rest of the staff should be reviewed thoroughly at season's end.

The Atlanta Braves one way or another need a major change. All avenues between August through January must be explored. If a ground shaking move can't be changed and the Braves repeat this abysmal offensive and win-loss production, then it's time for a house cleaning, from Frank Wren to Fredi Gonzalez.