Could the Braves reunite with Ron Washington?

According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, the Angels’ decision to let go of Ron Washington was strictly performance-based and not related to his health concerns, which forced him to take a leave of absence in June after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery.

The idea that the Angels — a franchise that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2014 — would fire Washington for “performance” reasons is laughable. The roster he was handed wasn’t even capable of winning 75 games, yet he had them playing .500 ball before stepping away.

Washington has made it clear he wants to keep managing, though whether another opportunity materializes remains to be seen. He’s also open to taking on another coaching role, which makes a reunion with the Braves especially intriguing.

Atlanta still hasn’t announced whether Brian Snitker will return in 2026. If Snitker retires, Washington could be considered for the managerial opening given the lasting impact he had as the Braves’ third base coach. At 73 years old, however, his age will undoubtedly be a factor for any club considering him as a manager.

That said, if Washington doesn’t land a managerial job elsewhere, a reunion with Atlanta feels like a perfect fit, especially if Snitker decides to manage one more season. There’s a vacancy at third base, and nobody is better suited to fill it than Ron Washington.

The fit is seamless, and if things go well in 2026, Washington could even be positioned to manage the Braves in 2027, which is widely expected to be Snitker’s final season if he doesn’t retire in the coming days.