Atlanta Braves: 5 Potential Replacements for Fredi Gonzalez
By Adam Greene
Jul 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A detailed view of Atlanta Braves 4th of July hat and a glove in the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Diaz
My first pick isn’t flashy. And realistically it doesn’t make much sense. But when you think about Fredi sitting on the bench for the Atlanta Braves for another year, does it have to make sense? Matt Diaz was a fan favorite for the Braves, as well as any other club that he was a part of. A career .290 hitter, he could take part in working with the Braves to help create more offense.
This is all determined on what role you believe a manager plays in the development of players and keeping their numbers up at the highest level. But a guy like Diaz could go a long way in providing some life into a clubhouse that seems exhausted, disheveled and otherwise over it. Granted, his lack of managerial experience would certainly go against him getting the job, but some clubs have taken to that approach in looking to veteran players to make the move into managing shortly after their careers are over.
He’s by far the most unlikely to get a look at, but from the perspective of someone who seems responsible, was a fan favorite and an all around good player, it wouldn’t be the worst thing the Atlanta Braves could do. In another rebuilding year before the move to SunTrust Park, it also couldn’t hurt if you were looking for an interim leader to step in.
Next: Second Time's the Charm?