By Mark Bowman

As this past week has progressed the Braves have discussed alterations to their front office and a coaching staff that might soon include former Astros manager Bo Porter. But the only significant addition they have confirmed thus far was the hiring of former Yankees scout Gordon Blakeley to serve as a special assistant to the general manager.

This has been a busy week for interim general manager John Hart, who met with manager Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday morning to discuss the coaching staff and a roster makeup. Hitting coach Greg Walker’s resignation stands as the only current change among the coaches. But there is certainly reason to believe at least a couple more changes will come that could open the door for Porter, who served as Gonzalez’s third base coach with the Marlins.

Given that the Braves have not yet hired a permanent GM to fill the role vacated by the recently-terminated Frank Wren, it remains to be seen who will serve as Blakely’s boss. But Blakeley’s addition confirms that assistant GM John Coppolella does have some additional power within this new front office makeup.

Dating back to their days together within the Yankees organization, Blakeley has always stood as a mentor to Coppolella. Now the veteran scout will have a chance to work with his prized pupil and more importantly attempt to help the Braves on international front as much as he did the Yankees. Robinson Cano, Jose Contreras and Orlando Hernandez are among the players he was credited for signing while he was with the Yankees.

While Hart has taken on an active role over the past couple weeks, there still has not been clear indication that he wants to fill the GM role on a permanent basis. Thus there will continue to be speculation about the potential return of Royals GM Dayton Moore, who seemed to be an obvious candidate even before Wren was officially terminated. But with the Royals still in the playoffs, Moore’s focus is currently elsewhere.