ATLANTA --- The Atlanta Braves' third consecutive finish out of the playoffs has forced Frank Wren to say the team needs two starting pitchers and "one big bat" in the outfield to return to the postseason in 2009.

The general manager also said Monday he can't count on John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Tim Hudson being part of the 2009 rotation.

Glavine and Smoltz had season-ending elbow and shoulder surgeries, respectively. Neither is assured of pitching again, and both are free agents.

"If they can pitch, we'd love to have them back, and we've told them that," Wren said.

But Wren said his top off-season priority is to sign or acquire other veteran starting pitchers.

"I've talked with both guys and really the way we have to approach it is ... we have to fill the spots in our rotation without regard for them," Wren said.

Hudson, the ace of the staff, had elbow ligament-replacement surgery Aug. 7. The normal recovery period for the procedure is one year, so he may miss the full 2009 season.

"If he bounces back and everything is good, that'd be like adding a guy at the trade deadline," Wren said. "That's the way we have to look at it. I think our expectations are that we may not have him in '09. If we get him, it's a bonus."

Wren said the team will try to re-sign left-hander Mike Hampton, who was 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 13 starts.

The Braves (72-90) finished a distant fourth in the NL East with their first 90-loss season since 1990. A few key numbers show why the team was not close to contending:

- The starting pitchers ranked 27th in innings pitched, forcing their relievers to throw 554q innings.

- The Braves were last in the major leagues with 27 homers from their outfielders. Jeff Francoeur hit only two homers after the All-Star break to finish with a .239 batting average, 11 homers and 71 RBI after driving in 100 runs each of the past two years.

- The Braves were 23rd in homers with 130 and 21st in ERA at 4.46.

Wren said the team must make significant moves if it can expect to contend next season.

"I think we'd have a team that would finish somewhere in the middle of the pack if we didn't make any moves," he said.

Rookie right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who was 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA, pitched like a future ace.

"He's going to be one of our horses here for a long, long time," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of Jurrjens, who led the staff in wins, starts (31) and innings (188Q ).

Another rookie, Jorge Campillo, was 8-7 with a 3.91 ERA. Before his elbow injury, Hudson was 11-7.

Wren said the infield, led by NL batting champ Chipper Jones at third base, is set. Jones hit .364 with 22 homers and 75 RBI but played in only 128 games.

The offense's lack of punch was especially obvious when Jones, who will have a sore right shoulder checked this week, was held out with injuries. Catcher Brian McCann hit .301 and led the team with 23 homers and 87 RBI.

Casey Kotchman, who replaced Mark Teixeira at first base when the Georgia Tech alum was traded to the Angels, hit only .237 in 43 games in Atlanta.

Second baseman Kelly Johnson had a 22-game hitting streak late in the season to hit .287. Shortstop Yunel Escobar hit .288. The two middle infielders combined for 22 homers and 129 RBI, but their production couldn't make up for the weak-hitting outfielders.

"I think one bat would make a significant difference, and then we're going to have to count on some guys rebounding," Wren said.