Atlanta Braves should announce intentions on Snitker
Being the lame duck is not a good situation. Even the best of professionals have a tough time trying to ignore the elephant sitting in the middle of the room. It’s time for a decision.
The Atlanta Braves hold a 1 year option on their contract with manager Brian Snitker. Early in August, we had been given the distinct impression that this option would be picked up as undeclared captain Freddie Freeman approached the front office to make that request on behalf of the team.
Except that it’s now September 23rd… and we’ve heard nothing. The silence is deafening.
Apparently Snitker himself has now tired of seeing that prodigious pachyderm in his purlieus and has opted to find out – first hand – what the Front Office has in mind:
Brian Snitker expected to meet with the #Braves front office, perhaps as early as today, to learn if his managerial fate is already decided.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 23, 2017
I don’t blame him. He needs to know. His team needs to know. The fans need to know. And even the potential suitors for the chair – should Snitker be relieved of his duties – also need to know.
You shouldn’t treat a man who has literally dedicated his entire professional life to the same organization like this. This is wholly a matter of respect.
If Snitker is going to be the manager going forward (probably not – otherwise, this would have been easily resolved many weeks ago), then tell him and give him a real contract.
If not, then tell him now and at least offer him his choice of other roles in the organization – whether that be back at the AAA helm or as a special assistant… whatever. He’s earned that.
I don’t have an opinion on whether Snitker should be fired. As a personal policy, I don’t call for people to be fired from their jobs (players being released from contracts for overtly poor performance? That’s a different matter). But I will say that 80-90% of managing takes place outside of actual games, and that’s the part we fans almost never are privy to seeing.
This decision isn’t about 2017 – clearly. It’s about 2018-2025 and beyond… and yes: whoever the manager ends up being for 2018, John Hart and John Coppolella need to give that man a contract worthy of the term – 3 or 4 years at least.
If you’re going to build a program, then start with a firm foundation. Start here at the manager’s chair.
Next: 2 Players who are part of that future
But don’t let this man twist in the wind. He deserves a lot better.