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Spec,
You make great points.
But, IMO, there's some wiggle room between what Z "wants" vs. what he has managed to get so far.
Yes, defense *IS* a priority.  And having watched the Braves go to the playoffs 15 straight times, it's a priority that CAN work. 
But, did Z "choose" a glove-first guy in Ackley?!?  I don't think so.  He drafted the #1 hitter available with a concensus of the planet.  In point of fact, moving Ackley to 2B could EASILY be viewed as pushing OFFENSE over glove.  Ackley isn't a "born" 2B, who has played it for a decade.  Moving Ackley to 2B is a way to INCREASE the offense out of a normally defense-first position. 
Clearly, in 2009, the choice of Branyan at 1B was NOT a "glove-first" decision.  He got a cheap, 1-year masher at a position of need.  In 2010, Branyan said he would no longer be a cheap, 1-year player.  Z went out and got a cheap, 1-year, glove-first guy to play first.
Bradley was also not a case of -- "if I can have anyone I want - THIS is the guy!" 
From my perspective, the only "truly" glove-determined move Jack has made was Jack Wilson replacing Yuni.  And in THAT case, the reality (at the time) was ... I can have a no-hit, no-glove SS ... or I can have a no-hit, good-glove SS.  (Hasn't worked out - but the philosophy is a winner, as far as I'm concerned).
I think where fans get frustrated and (IMHO - confused) - is equating every move "as if" this is Z's "ideal" outcome.  It ain't.  Z did not WANT to inherit a club at the bottom of the world in DER ... with little upside youth ... with bloated contracts in several positions, (who were underperforming en masse).  He likely didn't want to see his available budget cut, either.  But, that's what he got.
Yes, he DID do an incredible job in re-making the roster almost overnight in terms of dumping Bavasi fodder as fast as possible.  But, fans have focused on the players ... NOT the terms.  Gutz, Felix, Figgins ... that's the complete list of guys voluntarily signed by Z for more than a season.  (Wilson I view as simply splitting the cost of the original salary acquired over two seasons).
I look at what Z was doing ... and I see a guy who came into an org with MISERABLE talent in the minors, and no history of developing any.  He has simultaneously attempted to stay competitive on the field, (while slicing payroll), AND build up the minors.
Too ambitious?  Probably.  But, Gutz has been a solid plus - (despite his current slumpage).  Vargas is beating all expectations.  Saunders is starting to put it together, (and is actually starting to hit lefties).  Planet-M is agog over the possibilities with Smoak.  Pineda is looking more like the second coming of Felix.  Ackley is moving up rapidly.  Adam Moore is putting things together.  Halman and Mangini are beginning to show some REAL progress.  Liddi is showing cause for optimism.
Jack's job of GM is not only to assemble a winning team, but ALSO to sell tickets.  So, like all GMs, he's gotta TRY and paint a positive picture for the fans (and players), whether he believes it or not.  (one of many reasons to never believe words that are coming out of a GM's mouth).
From a "strategic" standpoint, the "perception" of Jack emphasising defense is brilliant, because he can pull that out as a negative against great offensive players.  It doesn't change the primaries - but it could benefit Jack in regards to which throw-ins he gets (or gives).  Pitching & Defense *IS* Jack's "stated" focus.  So, he goes after a big bat (Monterro or Smoak) ... and gets a bunch of pitching thrown in, too.
For 2011:
CA - Moore/Johnon
1B - Smoak / (Carp/Mangini)
2B - Figgins - (Ackley?)
3B - FA? - (Figgins / Tui)
SS - Wilson(s) - ????
LF - Saunders
CF - Gutz
RF - Ichiro
DH - Bradley / Halman?
There's still lots of unknowns.  Will Ackley be ready?  What about the other prospects, (Halman, Mangini, Tui, Moore)?  Is Lopez as much a lame duck as everyone (me too) believes?  Is a 1-year deal for somebody like Ty Wigginton or Jorge Cantu going to happen?  Is the club REALLY ticked at Figgy - and will they flip him at a loss?
For me ... I see ONE "bad" contract from Z so far -- Figgins.  Everything else has been short or complicated by attempting to remedy Bavasi situations.  For me ... show me a 3-year contract, and I see a GM commitment.  Show me a 1-year, and I see a stop-gap.