Atlanta Braves: Interviewing Managerial Candidates

The Atlanta Braves are looking for a manager. Who are they considering, and who are the best candidates for the job?

The Atlanta Braves are focusing on finding a manager early in their off-season looking at both internal candidates and some outside of the organization. Brian Snitker is the obvious favorite within the organization. He led the Braves to a great September run and seemed to have great control over the team and got a lot of out of his players.

He took over the team after Fredi Gonzalez was fired. The team has seemed to respond to Snitker well and he did a great job turning it around late for the Braves. There is still the fact though, that he was part of a losing season and the Braves may look to gain a new perspective as they hope to move back to contention this season.

The Braves may be afraid that bringing back Brian Snitker could bring back the reminder of the losing season. While this may seem odd it makes sense when you consider that the players will be managed and dealt with the same way as they were when they struggled to win.

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It is also being considered that Snitker was the one to right the ship and turn the team around. He has done a great job over the last two months and managed a bullpen with limited talent in great fashion. He also worked a lot of innings out of starters that shouldn’t play in the Major Leagues in the coming season.

The Braves are looking at several other options outside of the organization as well including, Ron Washington and Bud Black.  Black managed the San Diego Padres for multiple seasons and earned a manager of the year award. With Bud Black it is hard to judge his managing talent due to the lack of talent and weapons he had to use with the Padres. At this time it seems he is the leading outside candidate  .

Ron Washington is the other former manager whom the Braves have mentioned more than once. Washington managed the Texas Rangers for several years and took them to two World Series in that time. He is a great manager but would be a bad decision for the Braves.

Ron Washington resigned from his position as the Ranger’s manager citing personal reasons. It was later said that Washington resigned as manager due to an affair as well as sexual assault accusations. While he left to reconcile with his family his past indiscretions and distractions may influence his ability to get the job.

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The best choice the Braves could make is to bring back manager Brian Snitker. He has proven himself both as a leader and a manager. He hasn’t quit on the team and led them to a two month hot streak proving he is a capable manager even with limited talent. If the Braves want the best man for the job outside of Joe Maddon they will hire Brian Snitker.