Atlanta Braves Managerial Candidates

Is a Managerial change inevitable for the Atlanta Braves?  If so, fans should know the options for replacements

The calls for the ouster of Fredi Gonzalez are continuing to build.  Such will not come from this writer, but the fact is that this snowball is rolling downhill and it would seem that little short of the Braves’ picking up his 2017 contract option  – or a lengthy win streak – will change that.

The Braves are in a unique situation.  They are clearly in the midst of a rebuilding program, and significant changes will continue to be made over the next 2 seasons as prospects and free agents are under constant evaluation.

Thus, if Fredi Gonzalez is indeed let go sometime mid-season, how does a team garner interest for a new manager when he himself will not know what situation he will have in hand at any point for the foreseeable future?  Do they promote from within – slapping an ‘interim’ tag on the lucky sap that would merely keep the seat warm until the end of the year?  What promises might be issued to such a person about having a chance to get the full-time gig?  How much of the rest of the staff might also be removed in the process of eliminating Fredi?

All of these questions are part of the process and none of these questions can operate independently of the rest…but the bottom line has to be this:  if you fire Fredi, will the team end up in a better situation than before?  That question will have to be answered for each new candidate.

Let’s take a look at the most obvious applicants… and then a quick look at a list of those likely to also check in.

Next: Now or Later?