Atlanta Braves to Choose Between Snitker, Black, Washington
Sep 23, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first base coach Eddie Perez (12) looks on from the dugout during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Who to pick: the career insider, the Hart crony, or the Schuerholz crony? That is the list of candidates for a job that will shape the direction of the Atlanta Braves for the next few years.
3 Finalists/Alan that the Atlanta Braves are set to choose their next manager from among three candidates… a decision that could be made and announced as soon as Monday.
From this perspective, there’s one choice that presents a lot less risk than the other two.
In the meantime, it seems likely that whatever the choice, the rest of the coaching staff is facing a shake-up as well. Roger McDowell, as we know, was advised this week that his contract option for 2017 would not be picked up. In addition, there is a report that first base coach Eddie Perez has been contacted by the Rockies about their managerial vacancy.
#Tigres Eduardo Pérez también comentó que recibió una llamada de los #Rockies Está en una lista de posibles candidatos a mánagers
— Reyes Ureña (@Reyesured) October 6, 2016
Translated, this becomes: #Tigres’ Eduardo Perez also said he received a call from the #Rockies It is on a list of possible candidates for managers.
No word on whether Perez has opted for a formal interview at this point. Eddie managed the Tigers of Aragua during their 2015 campaign in additional to other VZWL teams in the past.
Let’s take a look at these finalists:
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves interim manager Brian Snitker (43) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrate a victory against the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Tigers 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Snitker
Snit became the “people’s choice” for the Atlanta job over the Summer as he was at the helm when both the team and the fans rallied down the stretch to completely change the mood at 755 Hank Aaron Drive.
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This turn-around certainly had a huge impact, and there may have been some unintended consequences as a result:
Indeed Snitker, 60, was only supposed to be the guy who kept the seat warm until a “real” manager could be hired. Terry Pendleton, Eddie Perez, and perhaps Bo Porter were expected to be the top internal choices… but between the team’s successes and the camaraderie surrounding Snitker, the Front Office was left with an awkward situation… the man they chose to get to dreaded “interim” tag to avoid signaling a preference ended up with the only seat in a short game of musical chairs.
The Braves could still select Snitker. After all, his experience in the minors is unparalleled, and that’s his main advantage. Unfortunately, it’s also a disadvantage as his best role might just be back managing the AAA team precisely because of that knowledge.
However, his experience with major league players – both his own and those around the league – is somewhat limited, and managing pitching at AA or AAA is nothing like managing pitching at this level. The players have given Snit high marks for leaping over the learning curve, but all of this introduces a risk that the Front Office has to balance.
There’s also the issue of the unknown. Could the Braves have had the same Sizzling Summer with a different man running the show? Did the mood swing in the clubhouse come from Brian, from the absence of Fredi Gonzalez, from the more relaxed schedule, or the general changes in personnel? That’s a question without an answer.
For certain, while Snitker has been with the team longer than any of the people evaluating his candidacy, he has certainly earned a new measure of respect for the effort this Summer – one that will undoubtedly keep him employed by the Braves for as long as he wants to continue.
But the betting here is that he will not be continuing as the major league field boss at this time.
Sep 16, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics third base coach Ron Washington (38) poses for a photo during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the A
Ron Washington
Once upon a time, Washington crossed paths with Braves’ Vice Chairman John Schuerholz. That seems to have gotten his foot into the door for this interview chance, and it appears he is making the most of the opportunity.
Washington has had one job as team skipper: the Texas Rangers from 2007-14. He’s now employed by the Oakland A’s, a team that also used him as a coach from 1996-2006. The 64-year-old former player was 664-611 for the Rangers, taking them to the World Series in both 2010 and 2011 – very nearly taking the trophy in 2011.
But then that leads us to the big risk item for Washington: cocaine.
On March 17, 2010, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reported that Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season and has acknowledged using cocaine.
Yes – as his team was ramping up for their World series runs, Washington was using an illegal drug. This revelation was particularly egregious given that he was supposed to be one of the stronger influences to help keep star outfielder Josh Hamilton on the straight-and-narrow.
Washington’s ultimate departure from the Rangers was also a curious story. Allegations of marital impropriety and sexual assault on a reporter. This amidst a bad finish (53-87) for his team that season.
Washington apparently put himself seriously into the running for the Braves’ job with his interview late last week, but this past record of personal issues suggests serious repeated lapses in judgment that represent a risk that the Braves simply should not undertake… regardless whether Washington might represent the second coming of John McGraw.
Let us hope that the Braves’ brain trust sees it this way as well.
Jun 12, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bud Black (20) gestures before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Bud Black
At 59 years old, Black actually represents the median age of the three finalists. He comes with the resume of a lengthy MLB career as a pitcher (15 years) and manager (2007-15) in seven different organizations, plus as a pitching coach for an eighth (2000-2006)
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He has 2 World Series rings, and was also a member of the 1995 Cleveland Indians squad that lost to the Braves in that Fall Classic… though Black wasn’t there since John Hart had released him earlier in the season, a curious twist to today’s saga. But clearly, he’s seen it all and done it all.
Black’s tenure with the Padres is often downplayed due to a .477 record, though the Nationals thought enough of him to tepidly offer him the reins of their team a year ago. That overture was rejected by Black for reasons of an insulting salary offer. As we know, Dusty Baker ultimately accepted that job – an interesting juxtaposition with the man Black barely beat out for Manager of the Year honors in 2010.
Black’s supporters would counter arguments about his San Diego record by urging a deeper look at the teams he had to work with.
In those years as their skipper, Black’s teams finished 3rd, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 3rd (he was removed during a 2015 season in which the team finished 4th). The 2007 team (3rd place) followed a year in which then-manager Bruce Bochy had finished 1st and fell in the League Divisional Series for a second consecutive year.
As a franchise, the Padres have only finished 1st or 2nd in 7 different seasons – with Bochy getting 3 of those and Black 1. In the 41 other seasons of their existence, the Padres finished 3rd or worse… and 4th or worse 32 times.
It is thus hard to argue that any of their coaching staffs have had a lot of Front Office support.
Now Black is a leading candidate for the Braves’ job, one that could put him in the position of contesting those dastardly Nationals 19-ish times a year.
As noted last week, the departure of Roger McDowell would seem to have been a signal that Black’s hiring might be imminent. Clearly, the Braves are not seeing that as a foregone conclusion, but pitching being central to the Braves’ Way, it does make sense to have Black in the managerial role.
When looking at the three men in this horse race, Black would seem to be the least risky.
Brian Snitker would be his superior in terms of knowledge of the Braves farm system, but that’s the only factor that sticks out.
If these are indeed the three finalists, then Bud Black looks to be the odds-on favorite on paper.
Expect a final decision to be made and announced soon… perhaps as early as tomorrow. It’s a choice with implications – from an organization expecting to win… and win soon.
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