The Atlanta Braves introduced Walt Weiss as their new manager on Tuesday and honestly, when given his chance to speak, Weiss said all the right things. He talked about feeling strongly all along that he was the best candidate and he talked at length about how he embraces analytics as a valuable tool at a manager's disposal. However, what Weiss as well as Alex Anthopoulos did not talk about beyond generalities was what the coaching staff will look like.
With Weiss getting hired, it is fair to guess the Braves will probably bring most of their coaches back for at least 2026 (though that isn't a mortal lock). However, there is one very notable opening even if Atlanta doesn't make any other coaching changes given that Weiss was their bench coach before getting promoted.
As it turns out, a nearly perfect candidate became available at the end of the 2025. Assuming he passes all the medical tests, the Braves should absolutely go out and bring back Ron Washington.
If the Braves bring back Ron Washington, it might be their biggest move of the offseason
When Washington left to manage the Angels, the impact on the Braves was immediate. Wash was a key motivating presence in Atlanta's clubhouse who commands the respect of everyone in the room. It sure doesn't hurt that he is also one of the best infield defense coaches in existence. Assuming he is willing to take a non-managing job, the Braves need to give him a long, long look.
The issue, however, is Washington's health and it is a fair question. Heart problems are no joke especially given the MLB grind through the summer. Washington already had to step aside in 2025 because he needed heart surgery and no one wants to either put the Braves in a tough spot on the field nor jeopardize Wash's health. Being a bench coach where he can sit in the dugout does take some of the physical strain out of the job (if Don Zimmer could do it, one has to think Wash can), but Atlanta has to be 100% sure.
However, assuming he can gets the go-ahead from doctors, hiring Washington for the Braves' coaching staff feels like a no-brainer. This isn't a situation where an assistant coach was good with his old team and you are taking a chance that it will translate. The Braves know what Washington brings to the table and the players absolutely love the guy. If he only wants to manage at this stage of his career or perhaps even hang up his uniform, more power to him...but the conversation needs to happen.