ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are spiraling, and it’s time to pull the plug on manager Brian Snitker—immediately, not at season’s end. At 27-37 through June 8, 2025, the Braves are 10 games below .500 for the first time since 2017, fresh off a humiliating sweep by the San Francisco Giants (5-4, 3-2, 4-3 losses). Clinging to Snitker’s 2021 World Series magic is a losing bet; his tactical missteps, bullpen mismanagement, and inability to spark a floundering roster demand a change to salvage the season. Liberty Media must act now, not tomorrow, not next week, next month or even next season.
Snitker’s 735-586 record and six straight NL East titles (2018-2023) are undeniable, but his 2025 performance exposes a manager past his prime. The Braves’ offense, once a 1.9-homer-per-game juggernaut in 2023, has cratered to 22 homers in 64 games. Key hitters are underperforming: Matt Olson’s .245 batting average and .750 OPS are career lows since 2018, Ozzie Albies is at .240 with a .680 OPS, and Michael Harris II’s .255 average lacks the 2022 spark (.296, 19 HRs), per Baseball-Reference.com. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return hasn’t ignited the lineup, with only 2 HRs in 15 games. Snitker’s failure to adjust lineups—sticking with slumping veterans like Eddie Rosario (.200, .550 OPS) over Eli White (.300, .920 OPS against righties)—has cost games.
Bullpen mismanagement is Snitker’s Achilles’ heel. The Giants series exposed this: on June 5, Raisel Iglesias blew a six-run lead against Arizona, and Snitker’s decision to pull him as closer didn’t stop Saturday’s walk-off loss to Matt Chapman’s homer off Pierce Johnson either.
Sure, GM Alex Anthopolous deserves plenty of blame for being cheap in the offseason. Liberty Media pocketing Atlanta Braves fans’ money from the Battery and refusing to spend like a top organization is an ongoing crisis. However, a change is still long overdue at manager. Snitker’s voice carries no weight in the clubhouse.
The Atlanta Braves bullpen ERA ranks 26th at 4.85, a stark decline from 2023’s 3.81, per ESPN.com. Snitker’s loyalty to underperforming relievers and reluctance to leverage analytics—unlike his embrace of them in 2021—has led to 14 losses in 17 games, per @DOBrienATL. His ejection on June 7 for arguing calls showed passion but no results, failing to rally a team that’s 18-12 since an 0-7 start, per SI.com.
The 2021 championship, driven by Rosario’s NLCS heroics and a 88-73 record, is a distant memory. Snitker’s 2022 and 2023 playoff exits to the Phillies and a 2024 Wild Card sweep by the Padres (5-4 in Game 2) reveal a pattern of postseason flops despite 89 wins last year, per AJC.com. Injuries to Acuña, Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley (.260, 12 HRs) hurt, but Snitker’s lack of in-game adjustments—unlike his 2021 adaptability with midseason call-ups like Michael Harris—has left the Braves stagnant. Fans on X, like @SportsAndStock1, argue there’s “nothing to lose” by firing him now, as the team’s 27-37 pace projects to 68 wins, worse than 2024’s 89.
Liberty Media, with a $224 million payroll, can’t afford to wait. Snitker’s contract ends in 2025, and his noncommittal stance on managing beyond this season, per MLB Trade Rumors, suggests he’s eyeing retirement. Delaying risks further squandering a talented roster. For interim manager, promote bench coach Walt Weiss, whose experience managing the Rockies (283-365 from 2013-16) and familiarity with the Braves make him a steady hand. Sure he had a losing record, but it’s the dang Rockies for crying out loud. It’s impressive he won 40% of his games. His calm demeanor could stabilize the clubhouse.
For permanent replacements, consider external candidates like Skip Schumaker, whose 2023 Marlins (84-78) overachieved with a .265 team batting average, per Baseball-Reference.com. Another option is Ron Washington, a former Braves coach now with the Angels, known for aggressive baserunning and a .264 team average in 2024. Internally, Eddie Perez, a longtime Braves coach, could bridge the gap, though his lack of managerial experience is a risk. The Braves’ window is closing. Snitker’s loyalty and 49-year tenure are legendary, but his 2025 failures—poor lineup decisions, bullpen chaos, and a lifeless offense—demand immediate action. A new voice could spark a turnaround before the trade deadline. Liberty Media, make the call.
You let Freeman, Swanson and Fried walk, so clearly loyalty is not that important anyways. Oh and you cut Craig Kimbrel after just one start on the mound. Now, fire Brian Snitker.
Column: Atlanta Braves Must Fire Brian Snitker