Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Earning Gigs

 If there was a message to be received about the hiring of Brian Snitker as manager of the Atlanta Braves, it could be as simple as this:  if you perform, you will get the job.

There is a theme developing at 755 Hank Aaron Drive… one that will be moving north into Cobb County:  performance for the Atlanta Braves will be rewarded.

You would think that this would be an obvious concept, but it is one that many teams struggle with.  For if you have a high-priced veteran on your roster – he gets the lion’s share of playing time… even if he’s not playing well.  That happens over and over again.

Sure, you know the such players have the potential for greatness, so that becomes the justification for continuing to run them out in the field.  There will  be statements like “Well, he won’t get any better sitting on the bench.”

Neither will the ballclub when there is an obvious weak link in your chain.

Such a practice just isn’t going to fly with the new-look Atlanta Braves.

Signals have been made to the Atlanta Braves – both staff members and players.  Some of these signals have been subtle.  Some have been overt.

Witness this answer to a question about the most disappointing aspect of the 2016 season:

Less than a month after this tweet, the 2017 contract option for pitching coach Roger McDowell was not picked up.

Here’s a list of other evidence:

– Brian Snitker was praised for his work – and ultimately got the manager’s role.
– Matt Kemp hit very well, but also was publicly dinged for not being in top shape.
– Adonis Garcia improved dramatically at third base – and it appears that the Braves will keep him there.
– Erick Aybar… didn’t live up to expectations for roughly half the season.  He’s gone.
– Nick Swisher?  Didn’t survive Spring Training.
– Hector Olivera?  Don’t embarrass either yourself or the club.
– Ender Inciarte.  Had a slow start and for a time it looked like there might be a battle for some playing time between him, Mallex Smith, Jeff Francoeur, et al.  Once Inciarte got fully healthy and found a gear, any such thoughts vanished.
– Numerous pitchers did not have success at the major league level.  Not only were they not kept around, but now the Braves will look for at least a couple of starters to take those places.

That’s just a very few examples.

Bobby Cox exhibited an uncanny loyalty to his players, but at the same time, there was a point at which you could not cross and still keep your position.  That policy appears to be back with renewed strength – having full Front Office support behind it as well.

The message has been sent.  Position players responded well to this in 2016.  The next season will thus be very interesting to watch.