Atlanta Braves: Making a case for 2018 managerial candidates
After many questionable decisions by Brian Snitker regarding the Braves’ lineup and bullpen throughout the season, the search for Snitker’s replacement seems imminent, if not already quietly underway.
Atlanta Braves front office executives were never expecting to win the NL East this season, or really even compete for a Wild Card spot (although playing near .500 baseball was fun while it lasted), but there are definitely several things that Brian Snitker could have handled better to give the team a fighting chance in 2017.
Let’s be honest, Brian Snitker was given a one year contract with an option for 2018 as a “thank you” for coming in and doing a decent job with a team that was on its way a 100-loss season. The second-year option would have only made sense had Snitker’s 2017 club been better than projected.
From inappropriately using Danny Santana and Emilio Bonifacio (among others), to pulling starting pitchers too early, to mishandling an entire bullpen, Brian Snitker has had more than his fair share of ignorant moments. With qualified candidates inside the Braves’ organization, it’s very unlikely (but not ruled out) that the club will exercise Snitker’s option for the 2018 season.
But who’s the best fit for the job, and how big of a role will managerial experience play in the Braves’ decision? Let’s look at a few routes the front office may take, and why these guys make sense.
Ron Washington
It’s hard to find bad things to say about the job Ron Washington has done since joining the Atlanta Braves. He’s worked well with the group of young infielders the Braves have put together this year, routinely taking guys out to the field hours before batting practice to work on infield mechanics.
Wash’s energy on the field is unmatched. Just watch him the next time he’s waving a guy around third base to score. He gets legitimately excited when this Braves team plays like they’re capable of playing. There’s no doubt he’s a guy the players would love to play for.
Ron Washington has the track record the Braves are looking for, as far as managing baseball games. He’s got a lifetime 664-611 record (entirely with the Rangers), including four straight 90+ win seasons from 2010 to 2013. Washington took Texas to the World Series in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011, but lost to the Giants and Cardinals respectively.
Washington stepped down from his manager position for personal reasons, having later admitted to being unfaithful to his wife. There was also admitted cocaine use in his past. I don’t see that being a deal-breaker for the Braves, however, as he’s since reestablished himself as a positive influence in the league.
Although he may always be remembered for his days as the Rangers’ skipper, Ron Washington is still capable of effectively managing an MLB team. The Braves will be sure not to look over him.
Mark DeRosa
Every MLB manager has to start his career somewhere, right? There’s no better club for Mark DeRosa to debut as a manager with than the same one he debuted as a player with. DeRosa spent parts of 7 seasons in Atlanta from 1998 to 2004 as a utility player, and was considered a leader in every clubhouse he was a part of during his big-league career.
What DeRosa lacks in experience as a manager, he makes up for with his baseball IQ. His 4 years as an analyst for MLB Network along with his 16 years of experience as a player are testaments to how much DeRosa knows about and loves baseball.
The practice of hiring former players as MLB managers is not unheard of. Guys like Mike Matheny and A.J. Hinch have quickly become successful big-league managers after their playing careers ended. The same is possible for Mark DeRosa. His experience as both an analyst and a player would be vital when making lineup decisions and pitching changes.
I don’t know that the Atlanta Braves will consider a wild-card candidate like Mark DeRosa as seriously as others within the organization, but his name deserves to be in the mix nonetheless.
Brian Snitker
Please, no… we’ll skip ahead.
Bo Porter
Bo Porter isn’t a guy that Braves fans are too familiar with. He’s been primarily a third base coach, although he managed the Astros during 2013 and part of the 2014 season, posting an overall 110-190 record. After being replaced by Ron Washington as the Braves’ third base coach for the 2017 season, Porter was named a special assistant to Braves GM John Coppolella.
Although he didn’t see success as the Astros’ manager, it should be known that he was hired in the midst of the team’s rebuild when they weren’t expected to see much success. Coppy obviously sees some value in porter, as he was promoted to a special assistant role after just two years as the Braves’ third base coach.
Porter’s appointment as a special assistant may have been Coppolella’s way of seeing what he has to offer beyond his base-coaching abilities. Porter’s coaching career spans back to 2005 when he was a hitting coach for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, a Class A Marlins affiliate.
Interestingly enough, Bo Porter was interviewed for the Marlins’ manager position after the 2015 season, showing that he’s definitely still interested in pursuing a managerial career. Porter will be seriously considered for the job. Don’t be surprised to hear his name come up in talks this offseason.
Terry Pendleton
After spending part of his playing career with the Atlanta Braves, Terry Pendleton has served as the team’s hitting coach, first base coach, and now bench coach. This is the 16th season of Pendleton’s coaching career, all with the Braves, making him a prime candidate for the manager job.
Hiring Terry Pendleton would resonate well with most Braves fans, as he was the NL MVP with the Braves in 1991, and runner-up for the award in 1992. There’s already one former MVP winner managing in the MLB in Don Mattingly, and he had 5 straight winning seasons with the Dodgers from 2011 to 2015.
It’s hard to look over someone who has a colorful history with the Atlanta Braves as both a player and coach. He’s spent a combined 20 years with the Braves, and if anyone is familiar with the organization, it’s good ol’ Terry.
Pendleton being a part of the legendary Bobby Cox‘s coaching staff also increases his chances of getting the job. Working under and learning from a Hall of Fame manager certainly looks great on a résumé, and may help Terry Pendleton land the job of a lifetime.
Eddie Perez
Hey, how about somebody on the staff with actual managerial experience?…albeit in Winter leagues. How about the guy who Greg Maddux trusted to be his personal catcher. How about a native Venezuelan (now US citizen) who can speak to both the American and Latin players on the roster as equals. That’s a factor none of the others have going for them.
Don’t underestimate that point, either, with Venezuelans Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuna around, never mind Johan Camargo (Panama), Ozzie Albies (Curacao), Julio Teheran (Colombia), Arodys Vizcaino and Jose Ramirez (Dominican Republic). Then there’s others like Kevin Maitan (VZ) coming, too.
So far, Perez – like Pendleton – have been waiting in the wings for their opportunity to manage. Somebody should provide that opportunity. But there’s only one manager.
At this point, though, there are already 4 internal candidates who could all be good leaders at the helm. That means at least 3 will remain on the outside.
All of these men have remained professionals throughout the process – including last year when we were speculating on this subject with Snitker getting the prize at that time.
My prediction
It’s hard to predict the Atlanta Braves’ front office, but they’ve got to hire the team’s next manager from within the organization. They need someone who knows enough about the organization to properly use the talent making its way towards the Major Leagues, as well as someone who has seen success either as a coach, player, or manager, because that’s where this team is headed.
Sure, there’s a very slim chance that Brian Snitker returns for 2018, but I highly doubt it. The deeper we go through September without an announcement of his option being picked up suggests all the more that it won’t be.
My pick is Terry Pendleton, although I think any of the aforementioned guys are qualified and well-deserving of the job.
Pendleton just has so much experience not only coaching, but coaching within the organization he’s in line for a job with. His longevity with the organization could be the deciding factor in his hiring.