Brian Snitker has emerged as the betting favorite to be the next MLB manager fired, according to BetOnline, reflecting the growing frustration around what’s shaping up to be one of the Braves’ most disappointing seasons in recent memory.
There’s no shortage of blame to go around. The players haven’t delivered Jurickson Profar turned down the team, leading to an underwhelming outfield rotation of Eli White, Alex Verdugo, Jarred Kelenic, and Bryan De La Cruz. Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies have been among the league’s worst hitters, and while Austin Riley has been better, his performance still falls short of expectations.
Injuries have also been a major factor, with key players like Sean Murphy, Spencer Strider, Joe Jimenez, Daysbel Hernandez, Spencer Schwellenbach, A.J. Smith-Shawver, and Chris Sale all missing significant time.
Beyond the players, the front office and coaching staff bear some responsibility. General manager Alex Anthopoulos is being criticized for building a flawed roster, and hitting coach Tim Hyers has yet to turn around the team’s offensive struggles. While Snitker’s influence on outcomes may be limited given how modern baseball works he’s not without fault.
Despite this, many Braves fans would be surprised if Snitker were actually fired. Reports have suggested the longtime manager, whose contract expires soon, is contemplating retirement after nearly five decades with the franchise. The 2025 season has only added to the toll following a rough 2024, making it more likely Snitker steps away on his own terms after this year.
While his firing isn’t impossible, it seems improbable. His managerial decisions have been questionable at times, but the team’s larger issues—roster construction and underperforming players—are mostly out of his control.
