The Atlanta Braves have started the 2025 season on a sour note, being on the wrong end of a four-game sweep by the San Diego Padres. The start has had several issues including an anemic performance at the plate, an inconsistent bullpen, and a simmering underbelly from a wave of injuries during Spring Training.
An optimist would look to the future when Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider return from injury. But if the Braves can’t turn things around, there could be some changes. One potential move has already gained momentum during the Braves’ slow start, and it could be a surprising behind-the-scenes change that could take place as early as next year.
Brian Snitker Non-Committal About Managing Braves After 2025 Season
Braves manager Brian Snitker shed some light on his future in a report by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. While he didn’t say he would be stepping down as manager after this season, he also didn’t commit to managing the team beyond this season as he enters his 49th season with the Atlanta organization.
“I still feel really good, and the 50-number [50 years with the Braves] is something I think it’d be kind of cool,” Snitker said in the report. “But right now, I’m leaning towards getting through today.”
The Braves start may have Snitker thinking about his future but so does his health. After turning 70 last October, Snitker told the New York Post’s Jon Heyman that he would “let the year get underway and see what happens” when asked about his future. He also told Nightengale that he would like to remain with the Braves in a different capacity if he steps away from managing either as an advisory role.
“Hopefully, I’ll just stay around here and be one of those advisor guys,” Snitker said. “I’ll go to the minor league parks, come to Spring Training a little bit, and spend a lot of time watching my grandkids.”
If the 2025 season is the last one for Snitker, it would be an incredible run. His 735 wins rank third in franchise history behind Bobby Cox (2,149) and Frank Selee (1,004). He also delivered Atlanta’s second World Series title, leading the Braves to the championship in 2021.
But while it would be a nice story for Snitker to step down, the decision may not be up to him. The Braves haven’t won a playoff series since winning it all and two of those losses came after Atlanta won over 100 games in 2022 and 2023. While injuries haven’t helped, expectations have remained high, making the current 0-4 start even more disappointing.
The good news is that it’s only one series and the Braves have plenty of time to turn it around. But if they don’t, the Braves may not renew Snitker’s contract which expires at the end of the 2025 season.