Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

MLB Insider Name-Drops Struggling Manager 'Not Getting Fired'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Amulya Shekhar | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 2:32 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves are off to the team's worst start to an MLB season in recent years. Currently 4-11 and having started 0-7, the Braves' issues are clearly visible on both offense as well as defense.

Having averaged 1.9 home runs per game during a record-setting 2023 season, the team is now down to only 15 home runs through 15 games. The Braves are currently the basement team in the NL East, 2 wins below the Washington Nationals.

Manager Brian Snitker, who presided over the Braves winning six straight division titles from 2018 to 2023 and making the 2024 playoffs, is currently under heavy fire from critics. Many expect that the organization could let him go if the team continues its slide.

These sentiments are understandable for an organization that has consistently ranked among the top spenders in Major League Baseball. The Braves have a payroll of $224 million this season and are among the top 10 spenders in the league. Missing the playoffs will undoubtedly be looked at as a failure.

Yet, the reporting around the situation gives Snitker more grace than fans are willing to concede at the moment. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Braves front office is likely to let the man choose his own way to leave.

“The Braves will allow Snitker to determine his own fate. The question is how long he wants to continue. Like Bochy, he will celebrate his 70th birthday this year. He has said he will consider retirement at the end of the season, but has been noncommittal about the possibility," Rosenthal reported.

Rosenthal makes some undeniable points. Brian Snitker has been associated with the Atlanta Braves organization for a whopping 49 year period. The man lives and breathes Braves baseball, having come up the ladder from managing minor league games since the 1980s.

While loyalty is undoubtedly on a downturn in major league sports these days, Snitker is an institution by himself for the Braves. Letting him leave of his own accord - preferably after completing year 50 of his association - would be a classy thing to do.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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