Braves Begin Search for New Manager After Snitker Steps Down

The Atlanta Braves have entered one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw the team miss the postseason for the first time since 2017, longtime manager Brian Snitker announced he would be stepping down from his role. The 68-year-old will transition into an advisory position in the front office, closing a chapter that defined much of the Braves’ modern era.

Snitker’s departure leaves a significant void in leadership. A lifelong member of the Braves organization, he had guided Atlanta through both rebuilding and championship years, culminating in a World Series title in 2021. His steady presence and player-first approach became hallmarks of the team’s identity.

Now, the Braves must identify a successor capable of guiding a talented but underperforming roster back to contention. The front office, led by General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, is expected to conduct a deliberate search that balances tradition with innovation.

Amid speculation and anticipation, two names have emerged as potential frontrunners — both representing different philosophies that could shape the future of the franchise.

1. David Ross: A Familiar Face with Leadership Credentials

Former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross has drawn significant attention as a potential fit for Atlanta. MLB insider David O’Brien of The Athletic noted that Ross’s background and managerial track record make him a strong candidate for the role. “I still say David Ross makes a lot of sense for the Braves,” O’Brien wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Not because he’s Georgia-born or once played for the team, but because he was a good Cubs manager, commands respect, and has a great personality and sense of humor.” Ross’s connection to the Braves runs deep. He played for the club during the 2009–2012 seasons and remains well-respected by former teammates, including franchise icons Chipper Jones and Tim Hudson. After his playing career, he transitioned into broadcasting and later managed the Cubs from 2020 to 2023, leading them through a transitional phase marked by both player development and competitive growth. For Atlanta, Ross would represent a continuation of the strong clubhouse culture Snitker built — a blend of experience, relatability, and leadership. His familiarity with the organization’s expectations could make for a seamless transition, particularly with a roster anchored by veterans and rising stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider.

2. Danny Lehmann: A Forward-Looking Choice

Another intriguing candidate reportedly on Atlanta’s radar is Danny Lehmann, currently a bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to O’Brien, the Braves’ managerial search may be moving slower by design, as the team waits for Lehmann to complete his World Series duties before engaging formally. “My guess is the delay in hiring a manager has less to do with casting a wide net and more to do with waiting for Danny Lehmann to finish bench-coaching with the Dodgers,” O’Brien reported. “I think he’s the one they want, and it would signal a commitment to cutting-edge analytics and process.” Lehmann, 39, has developed a reputation as one of MLB’s brightest young minds. A former catcher who transitioned quickly into coaching, he has spent more than a decade within the Dodgers’ system, helping build one of baseball’s most analytically advanced operations. Should Atlanta move forward with Lehmann, it would mark a shift toward a data-driven, modern approach to game management. His potential hiring would symbolize a philosophical evolution — blending the Braves’ traditional baseball culture with an emphasis on advanced analytics and technology.

3. Life After Snitker: A Franchise at a Crossroads

Regardless of who takes the helm, the next Braves manager will inherit a roster loaded with talent but in need of recalibration. The team’s underwhelming 2024 season exposed inconsistencies both on the mound and at the plate, issues the front office aims to address this offseason. While the core remains intact — including Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley — Atlanta’s challenge lies in rediscovering the cohesion and intensity that once defined its championship teams. Snitker’s leadership was instrumental in fostering that culture, and replacing it will not be easy. The managerial decision could also influence the organization’s long-term direction. A hire like Ross would reinforce the Braves’ emphasis on continuity and leadership stability, while Lehmann would introduce a more experimental, modern edge to player development and in-game strategy. For now, the franchise remains deliberate in its approach. The next few weeks could determine whether Atlanta chooses familiarity or reinvention — and in doing so, sets the course for the next era of Braves baseball.