Here Are A Dozen Candidates To Succeed Braves Manager Brian Snitker

Win, lose, or draw, Brian Snitker’s contract expires after this season.

An Atlanta Braves organization man since signing as a minor-league catcher in 1977, he has taken his team to post-season play seven straight years and won a World Series.

At age 70, however, he might be ready for retirement – albeit to an advisory role under baseball operations chief Alex Anthopoulos.

The decision will be his but could be forced by the disappointment of a season in which the Braves went 0-7 at the start and have still have lost more games than they won.

Should Snitker return, 2026 would be his 50th season in the organization. And the choice is his.

He earns a reported $4 million per year – one of the highest salaries among the 30 major-league managers – though terms of the extension that takes him through this season were not announced.

Considering the stress of losing – the Braves lead the majors in one-run losses – the stoic manager might be ready to hang up his uniform.

If that happens, there’s no shortage of potential replacements, though Snitker’s big shoes could be hard to fill.

Here are 10 possible candidates:

Here are 10 possible candidates:

1. Fredi González – If the Braves do not hesitate to re-hire a man they fired in 2016, Gonzalez could be first in line. He won the NL East title with the Braves in 2013, finishing first once and second three times during a four-year span. The bilingual Havana native previously managed the Marlins and is known as an affable, media-friendly guy. His lifetime record as manager is 710-692 (.506 winning percentage).

2. Walt Weiss – Another former manager, this Suffern, NY native has bided his time as bench coach for Snitker since his hiring in 2018. The former shortstop was with the team through its string of six straight NL East titles. He previously managed the Colorado Rockies.

3. Chipper Jones – If he’s willing to work for much less money than he made as a player and also willing to endure the rigors of travel again, this Hall of Fame third baseman might be the logical first choice. He’s served as part-time batting instructor, offering his experiences as a switch-hitter who not only made contact but also hit for power.

4. Terry Pendleton – Like Jones, he played third base for the Braves, won a batting crown, and has a coaching background. Highly respected by both teammates and rivals, Pendleton lacks experience as a manager. But so does Jones.

5. Eddie Perez – A former backup catcher who’s been a long-time Braves coach, Perez has the same bilingual advantage as Gonzalez. He was the surprise MVP of the 1999 NLCS against the Mets.

6. David Ross – Another former Braves backstop, Ross was around most recently as manager of the Chicago Cubs.

7. Bud Black – Fired earlier this year after his hapless Colorado Rockies couldn’t buy a win, this former pitcher still commands respect from both teammates and rivals.

8. Ron Washington – At 74, he’s the oldest active manager. But his Angels contract expires this fall and he’d love to return to Atlanta, where he served as third base and infield coach. Known for endless patience in hitting pre-game practice grounders to his infielders, Washington won two pennants as manager of the Texas Rangers.

9. Bo Porter – Before becoming a coach with Washington’s Angels, Porter piloted the Houston Astros for two years. Like Washington, he’d be one of the few active black managers.

10. Willie Randolph – So would Randolph. The manager of the Mets for almost four years, this former second baseman was a star player for the Yankees. If he can handle the New York pressure-cooker, he surely can survive in Atlanta.

11. Joe Maddon – He’ll forever be remembered as the innovative and unorthodox manager who guided the Chicago Cubs to a once-in-a-lifetime world championship in 2016. Age could be a detriment, though, as Maddon is now 70. Maddon, who also managed the Tampa Bay Rays, has been a broadcaster in recent seasons.

12. Buck Showalter – He’s taken four teams to the playoffs but never won a pennant. Known as a no-nonsense manager, he might need to modify his past methodology. At 68, he might welcome a last hurrah with a solid veteran team.