ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves are officially in search for a replacement for former manager Brian Snitker, who announced his transition to an advisor role within the organization on Wednesday.
Snitker’s replacement will mark the fourth Braves manager since 1990, following Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, Fredi Gonzalez and Snitker.
RELATED: Brian Snitker steps down as Braves manager, will enter team’s HOF in 2026
The Braves, who finished the season 76-86, boast one of the better rosters in baseball among teams that were eliminated from postseason contention. The hope is that they can bounce back in 2026 with a full season of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley, as well as a healthy starting pitching staff, making them one of the more attractive managerial openings in all of baseball.
Here are some available names around baseball that could fill the vacant post (listed alphabetically):
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Bruce Bochy
Bochy, a four-time World Series champion as manager of the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers, recently parted ways with the latter after an 81-81 season. With the departure of Bob Melvin in San Francisco, many speculated whether the team would consider a reunion with the 70-year-old future Hall of Famer.
On Wednesday, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey shot down the rumors of Bochy returning to his old job, leaving Bochy to consider other options around baseball. Given his age, it wouldn’t be the most surprising to see Atlanta pass up on this opportunity, but his name is being thrown around, nonetheless.
Mark DeRosa
DeRosa is an interesting name being thrown around the pot given his lack of managerial experience. Sure, he managed Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and he’s set to do so again in 2026. But that’s about it.
He was drafted in the seventh round by the Braves and spent six seasons in the organization before bouncing around the league until his retirement in 2013, when he became an analyst for MLB Network. Making the leap from Team USA’s manager to Atlanta’s manager would be significant, but could be fun to see.
David Ross
Ross, who’s from Bainbridge, Georgia (approximately three and a half hours south of Atlanta), has been out of the game since being replaced as Chicago Cubs manager by Craig Counsell in 2023. Ross is a former Braves player (2009-12) and has maintained a connection with Snitker, who was Ross’ third base coach while he played in Atlanta.
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Ron Washington
Washington would be fun. The beloved former Braves third base coach was recently dismissed by the Los Angeles Angels, but at 73, his age and health raise concerns for teams considering him for a managerial role, despite his expressed interest in a return to coaching.
Walt Weiss
Weiss, formerly the Colorado Rockies’ manager from 2013-16, had served as Snitker’s right-hand man since 2017 and is the likeliest in-house candidate for the gig. Weiss played for Cox and the Braves from 1998-2000 and seems like the logical choice for the opening given his familiarity with the clubhouse.
With there currently being eight managerial openings in Major League Baseball, the Braves’ vacancy stands out as particularly attractive. Boasting a talented core that has consistently reached the postseason in recent years, Atlanta offers a unique blend of opportunity and expectation.
However, the search for the right fit can be a grueling process. Given the franchise’s storied history and recent success, the role of Braves manager carries significant weight.
All eyes are now on Alex Anthopoulos to make a pivotal decision, one that could shape the club’s path back to the postseason.