The Atlanta Braves have certainly made their fair share of adversaries over the years. One need only look back to the Chipper Jones days that resulted in Mets fans truly despising the Braves and the feeling being mutual. Even the Braves' own color commentators have taken shots at Braves players when it is convenient for them to do so. However, one name that gets near universal revulsion among Braves fans is former Marlins manager Don Mattingly.
While a tremendous player who has gone on to forge a long career as a manager and coach, Mattingly earned the ire of Braves fans for repeated HBPs of Ronald Acuña Jr. across multiple seasons that felt very much like Mattingly trying enforce the unwritten rules of baseball from the 1980's from the skipper's chair.
Well, after a career detour that saw him coaching the Blue Jays after the Marlins moved on from him, Mattingly is back in the NL East as the Phillies just hired him to be their bench coach. Not only does it stink that he is back in the division again, but his relationship with one of the best free agents on the market could give Philly the inside track towards a pretty big lineup improvement.
Mattingly has terrific longstanding relationship with Phillies manager Rob Thomson. He is also said to have an excellent relationship with star free agent Bo Bichette (although it is fair to say that coaches/managers don’t usually determine 9-figure free agent signings) https://t.co/OD65Xf2weW
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 5, 2026
Braves fans need to brace for Don Mattingly joining the Phillies meaning that they could land Bo Bichette
Heyman makes an extremely important point in this post. Yes, Mattingly forged a very good relationship with Bo Bichette who also happens to be one of the best free agents available. However, Bichette isn't going to take a sweetheart deal because Mattingly is on the bench and the Phillies aren't going to up their bid because their new bench coach likes Bichette.
However, what the move does do is make the Phillies slightly more attractive as a landing spot which could absolutely matter in a close bidding war. It would be one thing if the Phillies were way above or way below any other offers on the table. However, if the difference is like $1 million AAV or one year or something, Bichette pivoting to a Phillies team that is looking to contend and who also has a coach that he has familiarity with makes a lot of sense.
The Braves ended any hope of being involved for Bichette after they signed Ha-Seong Kim. However, the idea that the Phillies could now have a slight advantage for Bichette makes the dream of nightmare offseasons for both the Phillies and Mets a bit harder to achieve. Thankfully, the Mets are showing few signs that they are looking to emerge from their dumpster fire at least.