WEDNESDAY: Washington will sit down with the Atlanta brass today, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com tweets.
MONDAY: The Braves will interview Ron Washington and Bud Black for their managerial vacancy, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman (all Twitter links). At last check, the Braves had already interviewed four internal candidates: interim manager Brian Snitker, bench coach Terry Pendleton, first base coach Eddie Perez and third base coach Bo Porter.
Snitker could be the favorite after winning praise for his work with the team down the stretch (although Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Black is the “leading candidate“). Braves president of baseball operations John Hart says that hiring Pendleton, Perez or Porter would be difficult given what the team has done with Snitker at the helm. Snitker, meanwhile, says he understands the team’s need to evaluate other candidates.
Washington and Black are, of course, qualified candidates in their own right. Washington served parts of eight seasons as the Rangers’ manager and led them to two World Series before resigning in 2014. He currently serves as the Athletics’ third base coach. Black managed the Padres from 2007 through 2015, has an NL Manager Of The Year award to his credit, and has won praise for his work with pitchers. He was a candidate for the Nationals’ managerial opening last winter, and he currently works in the Angels’ front office.
Washington has been my pick since they fired Fredi. I just assumed he wasn’t interested in coaching since I hadn’t heard his name.
The Braves are interviewing him for their Manager.
He has coached for the A’s since walking out on the Rangers after her cheated on his wife and got caught and embarrassed!
Don’t fall of your High Horse, SPARKY
Wash will get the job…
I hope he doesn’t, Semien really needs him. If Wash leaves then I hope Barreto starts at short next season and semien at second
If they do not give Snitker a full season as manager, which I hope he gets his chance, I hope they will bring in Ron Gardenhire for an interview at least. This current Braves team is made for small ball with some occasional power and I think Garedenhire did a good job in Minnesota with similar lineups. Just my opinion though
The team had the highest OPS since the All-Star Break…
The new ballpark is supposed to play to both hitters and pitchers, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an uptick in HR. That being said, as much as I love Gardenhire, he seems too similar to Cox/Fredi.
How can a ballpark play to both hitters and pitchers? Who is getting the shaft hear? Umpires?
Varying dimensions in either fields with obstructions (higher walls, etc.). The dimensions are similar to Turner with the exception of right-center, but RF has a 25′ wall. I haven’t looked at the stats or dimensions, but Fenway is a good example of playing better for LH hitters because of the low walls RF and longer dimensions in center and Green Monster posing a threat.
OK, gotcha. On the game the other night they were talking about the wind current testing they have been doing at the Sun Trust. Will be interesting to see how/if that plays into it. Doesn’t seem like the engineers have been able to create an accurate model for any stadium (baseball or otherwise) yet.
* third highest
If Snitker gets the job would Pendleton,Perez or Porter want to or will stay with the team…..
I’m willing to bet they are more likely to stay with the team if Snitker is brought back than if the Braves hire someone external to the organization. Outside of getting offered a managerial position of their own with another org, where would they go anyway?
Black has the advantage of most fans here in Atlanta think highly of him. I would look at Washington for his experience that runs deep into the post season. As long as his addiction issues are behind him , I could see him as a good fit.
I still don’t get why people think the FO cares what fans think. 99% of fans wouldn’t want to acquire Matt Kemp and pay him 54M to be a replacement level player.
100% of the fans wouldn’t want to see Hector Olivera 1000 miles from SunTrust Park — and he was the alternative considering Kemp was SD’s salary dump. When you put it in proper perspective, Kemp is a savior.
Braves could have just as easily cut Olivera rather than take on the additional $25mil gamble on Kemp. The gamble has so far paid off, but there is a lot of contract left…
True, but 3 years and less than $10M per year for someone that could most likely put up 25-30+ with 90+ RBI — considering how badly we were looking for a middle of the order hitter, we realistically could not do much better than that for so low of a price point. Heyward will be making almost 3x per year what Kemp will be paid by ATL , I believe.
Word on the street is ATL will be trying to move Kemp this offseason. And they should. You REALLY don’t want those arthritic hips patrolling your outfield with all the young arms you have coming up in 2017 and 2018.
There’s also a man named Mallex without a position currently
What street is that? Sure, Coppy listens to everyone about everything all the time. That’s why he’s Coppy. If he can fill Kemp’s power production of 30/100 in 2017, and get someone to absorb his contract and give-up key elements, I’d be all for it, but with the protection he provided Freeman and his production, I don’t think you can give him away. If you traded him, you’d still have Markakis – and I don’t think he’s a much better option defensively, and definitely not offensively.
Coppy has been shown to interact with the fans on many levels. We know he reads MLB Trade Rumors and reads the comments sections, as well as spending time on Twitter. While he makes his own decisions, he is at least aware of fan opinion.
John Coppolella sent me a snapchat of his junk. #AskCoppy
I think both are great – I would love to see black get back into baseball, he really got dumped in an unfortunate situation, not because he mismanaged anything – the FO kept making bad deals and giving him crappy guys to work with. Washington does have a lot of skills in the dusty baker mold but personally I think black would be better.
I’m sure Bud Black’s internet champions will be quick to dismiss this, but the man does have a worse win/loss record than Fredi Gonzalez.
There are a lot of good qualities that Bud Black could bring to the table, especially with the Braves focus on pitching. He wasn’t a horrible tactician and was calm and confident enough he kept the job in San Diego thru troubled times (seems to go with their franchise) – the players weren’t grumbling about him.. Snitker or Black sounds good to me.
Managing SD during their budgetary constraints did have its drawbacks.
The Padres are headed in the right direction, again. With their recent drafts and trades they could be exciting. Petco isn’t big enough to hold in Hunter Renfroe. No park is big enough to hold back Renfroe. He could be special.
Black definitely didn’t have much to work with during his tenure. I would be interested to get Kemp’s take over a lunch if I were in the Braves front office.
Interesting point. I forgot Kemp and Black were together.
Bud black need to F off
u mad?
When Washington resigned suddenly I remember at the time everyone was saying he had a drug problem. If that was the real reason I’m a little surprised his name is being mentioned in a serious contention. Anyone know what the real story was?
I remember hearing about cocaine. Not sure if it was true or not, just what i heard.
He has told his story of a checkered past, as with many Americans. The Braves organization is hardly immune to having past histories that aren’t role model material…
He, apparently, smoked crack and felt guilty and also knew he might fail a drug test. He met with Nolan Ryan and Rangers execs and admitted as much.
I know some are talking about a checkered past, but this occured while he was in his 50s
All sorts of people are clean their entire lives then decide to begin using cocaine in their 50’s & 60’s.
LOL. No. This is patently false. There are very very few people who use a drug like cocaine for the first time ever in their 50s or 60s
He resigned because he cheated on his wife from what I remember
He admitted to infidelity in his marriage and needed time to work it out with his family.
The drug issue was back in 2011 or so. He didn’t resign until 2014. After he resigned he spent a good while just trying to get back into baseball any way he could.
As a Rangers fan, having Wash as a manager was great. His style seems more laid back and fun which can bring out the best in players who are having a tough time/going thru slumps/getting too hard on themselves. He managed really powerful Texas teams into 2 World Series appearances (and should have won one, definitely not still bitter) so he knows how to handle teams with high OPS’ like how the Braves finished off this season.
His cocaine issues happened before he resigned, that was due to being unfaithful to his wife and wanting to get his personal life under control and putting that ahead of baseball. I think he’d be a great fit in Atlanta and his troubles are past him.
That being said, I don’t see how Snit can’t be brought back considering the job he did to end this season…
No to both. Give Gabe Kapler a shot.
It’ll be someone who isn’t even mentioned in this post. Count on it.
Snitker is my first choice for he did with this team down the stretch. If not him, Washington would be my second. I absolutely love the emotions Wash conveys during the game. That is the one thing about Fredi I didn’t care for; he was like a statue no matter what was happening.
“Hard to hire Porter, Perez, or Pendleton after what Snitker did”. Then why interview them? I’m sure all three of them are questioning why they tried to do their job if the win/loss record under Snitker was going to hurt them
Yes, because sabotaging your team to get to a managing post is the best way of seeking employment. That must have been #2 on the George O’Leary advanced techniques of attaining sports coaching jobs.
Exactly, dumb comment for Braves to make
Bo Porter is a hate filled man. Look at his past comments.
I wanted to hire Bud Black last year but the whole deal with the Nationals last year didnt leave a good impression of him. Still would prefer him to Washington though
I vaguely remember the ordeal with the Nationals. I thought it was over money…
I want an out of the box hire i say give Ozzie Guillen a shot or someone not associated with Cox.
OG Ozzie? It would be entertaining! I am not opposed to a more lively manager, but our style of late has been calm and confident with outburst to the umpires. Still, a tumultuous return to the early days of Ted Turner ownership would be fun… I will never forget him managing the team!
Ozzie is horrific with a young team.
I’m sure there’s a happy medium between the emotionless Fredi Gonzalez and the Castro-zealot, Ozzie Guillen. I, for one, don’t want another Marlins former manager (Guillen). We’ve already been down that road long enough with Fredi Gonzalez. Let’s move on.
Oh dang Ozzie would be nice.
Hoping it’s Snitker, but if not him I really hope it’s Ron Washington and not Bud Black or anyone else mentioned by anyone.
I heard Bobby Cox wants to hire back Fredi
If I see bud black in the braves dugout I’m done with the braves. I better see Ron Washington or snitker
Ultimatums always work.
Surprised no one has thrown David Ross’ name into the ring.
Bo Porter is a throwback to a militant 1960s “us v them” mindset. A disruptive influence anywhere he goes and it’s no wonder he’s been drummed out of each managerial post he’s held.
ya know what, it really won’t matter all that much. I mean would I prefer a modern metrics guy who trusts data over his “gut?” sure! but I understand that’s pretty unlikely in Atlanta. Gimme a guy who the players like and doesn’t take any guff off umpires or reporters and doesn’t act like a deer in headlights when the Sh*t goes down (cough cough Fredi) and I’m good. any of the candidates will probably do the job.
Il think Black is the choice here, he has some lineage to Cleveland along with Washington with less baggage. Hart will push for both of them together.
I’m telling people this. It will be someone who isn’t mentioned in this article.
Noooooooo
Guys…guys…the Braves are now the Cobb County Braves, not Fulton County. It will not be Ozzie and ir will not be Wash. It will be the least controversial candidate.
I hope Wash gets the job!
If you’ll look at wins expectancy for managers you’ll find Ron Gardenhire up their with our beloved Mr Cox even with the brutal teams he had his last four years in Minny.
Braves you can Matheny, please take him!
Matheny too club to playoffs four years in a row. Most teams would kill for that
I want to see them bring in someone to shake the team up like Ozzie or Sandberg
As entertaining as Ozzie is (and baseball is more fun when he is around), all he does is shake things up. I’m not sure I would want to mix him with a young team.
No thanks to either one of them. Ozzie is headcase and thrives with the mic in front of him. Braves have never been the kind of organization that looks for that. They don’t need the headache he could create in the social media society. Ozzie shouldn’t be around children.
Why do you think the team needs a shake up? The team finished the season very strong under Snitker, who earned the job for 2017.
My vote is Snitker. The Braves seemed to catch fire under him. Add a few reliable arms if at all possible this offseason and you are looking at a potential shot at the wild card.
I agree. Snitker has certainly paid his dues in the Braves organization. He deserves the job over Black and Washington. I’m afraid Black may get it just because he’s buddies with Hart and Schuerholz. Given how well the Braves played under Snitker, hiring one of those guys just opens them up for serious criticism should the team not do well next year.
Might have a shot at 4th in the division is more likely.
Good luck with Bud Black nicest guy in world but stinks as manager
Washington would be great in Atlanta, great for the Braves. I loved having him at the Rangers’ helm. He’s full of energy, is a great baseball brain, and forms unique bonds with all the players. He’s also a blast to listen to, a great personality in the media. Still though, he did get caught doing blow, he probably has a girlfriend in every city hosting an AL team, and seems to have a few skeletons in his closet.
If they don’t hire Wash the A’s will surely be happy to have him back in the fold to keep coaching a very talented core of young infielders in Oakland…