Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: leaning back toward Snitker now?

Some playoff info, some personnel info, but mostly it’s about the kids lately… get used to that.

Okay, I wanted some information about the status of Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker.  Did we get it?  In perhaps a subtle way?

Fred documented part of the answer... that they punted on the answer, deferring to the off-season.

But late on Sunday, the AJC’s Mark Bradley had another take, and didn’t bury his lede (emphasis mine):

"First things first: The Braves are believed to be leaning toward keeping Brian Snitker as manager for next season. No final decision has been made, but Saturday’s luncheon meeting between Snitker and upper management generated, in general manager John Coppolella’s description, “productive conversation.”Beyond that, Coppolella declined public comment about Snitker’s status. And there’s thought that, even if the manager is retained, the coaching staff will see changes. The GM again offered a no-comment."

Well that would be news – no doubt.  This wasn’t wish-casting on Bradley’s part, either – he’s on record wanting Snitker removed.

Which is accurate?  That no decision has been made or that Snitker is returning?  Frankly, I find it difficult to believe that there is still a lot of hang-wringing going on.  Snitker has been at the helm now for 278 games.  There isn’t a lot of mystery about him or what you’re going to get.

So do you like what you see?  Then say so.  Is there doubt (obviously there is)?  Then say so and let’s move on to another candidate.

Unless… as an organization you’re thinking that it won’t matter for another year or so and that you may as well keep him around for the sake of stability… even while you’re thinking about coaching staff changees.

Or… you realize that Buck Showalter becomes available after 2018.

Just throwing that out there.

Meanwhile, No Wholesale Changes Expected

Other Coppy comments documented by Mark Bradley:

• “It’s safe to say we won’t be playing in big free-agent pitching waters.”

Oh… that’s interesting.  Now that doesn’t rule out trades for better pitching, but it does rule out something like trying to pursue Alex Cobb.

• “You saw where we moved Brandon Phillips to third base. We will move other people to make way for this young player because he [Ronald Acuna] is that special.”

That all but confirms that idea of trying to move Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis elsewhere.  But then there’s this:

• “You might think I’m crazy, but I think Jim Johnson is going to have a big bounce-back year. … We think he’s going to have a much better season next year.”

Okay, yes:  I think you’re crazy.  One of your higher priorities was ‘bullpen improvement’., saying “For sure one viable piece, possibly two”.  The Braves currently rank 5-worst in baseball in bullpen ERA (4.62).  If it weren’t for the Tigers’ total meltdown, they’d only be 0.14 from the worst.

Fortunately for the Braves, they get to play the Mets now… and they own that 4.76 bullpen ERA.

Oh well – Coppy has to spend that $4.5 million bucks for Johnson either way.  But there is some math that make the ‘addition by subtraction’ idea work… one of your ‘viable pieces’ could be the removal of Jim Johnson (9.39 second half ERA).

Of course as I say that, Johnson was run out there yesterday in a close game and threw a 1-2-3 top of the 9th… though in part thanks to an excellent run-down of a line drive that ended up in Ender Inciarte’s golden glove.

So… we mostly go with the kids in 2018, Coppy suggests.  Not a lot of thump in the lineup, but probably a lot of scrappy play.

Back in the Box

Here’s your box score from yesterday’s SunTrust Park closer game vs. the Phillies:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Next: The Full Recap

Let’s play two!  Mets double-header starts at 4:10 today!