It is abundantly clear right now that the Atlanta Braves are laser focused on replacing Brian Snitker as their manager. While the search process for a new manager has been anything but quick, Atlanta seems to be taking the search very seriously at the moment as it will set the tone for all of their offseason plans going into 2026.
With the World Series winding down, it felt as though a favorite had emerged in Danny Lehmann and that the Braves were just waiting for him to be done with his work with the Dodgers. A number of other manager openings have been filled in recent days and with Lehmann still sitting out there, that possibility has only increased.
However, Lehmann is not the only possibility for the Braves and he may not even be the only member of the Dodgers' coaching staff that could be in play as a recent article from Braves insider Mark Bowman listed Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward as a potential option as well. However, that move feels like it could be a mistake.
Former manager Chris Woodward has emerged as a possible manager replacement for the Braves
On the surface, Woodward isn't a terrible candidate. He has experience as a manager going back to his days with the Rangers which could be a plus. It certainly doesn't hurt that he is also a respected coach for one of the better teams in baseball in the Dodgers despite the fact that LA has faltered through five games in the World Series.
However, it is important to remember that Woodward's time with Texas did not go very well. In 498 games managing the Rangers, Woodward oversaw a team that went 211-287 and did not once have a winning record under him. With so many more promising candidates both with and without managing experience, betting on Woodward who has shown no ability to run a winning team would be a very disappointing development.
Odds are that Lehmann remains the frontrunner and all of this speculation will end up being meaningless. Braves fans won't have to wait long to find out, but one hopes that Atlanta looks elsewhere and not to Woodward who seems to be one of the worst options available to them not named Fredi Gonzalez.