Braves to interview Washington and gardenhire

[dak]

Bud Black is the front runner for the Atlanta Braves managerial opening according to a source involved in their search. With the Braves Farm System loaded with top pitching prospects and Black's long successful track record of handling, developing and procuring arms, he certainly appears to be the best fit of all the candidates they've interviewed to date. Black's ability to win one run games in his previous stint as San Diego Padres skipper helps as well. Black also has a strong personal and professional relationship with team President John Hart. Black has exceptional people skills and relates well with both field and front office personnel. The Braves also have interviewed Ron Washington, Bo Porter, Eddie Perez, Terry Pendleton and Brian Snitker.

[UNCBlue012]

I'd be happy with Black. No issues here.

[BedellBrave]

to me, they have already ask Snit if he would be bench coach if they hired Black. I have a feeling it will be Black with Snit as bench coach. Players get what they want, FO gets what they want.

Yep, this is the way it looks like it is shaking out.

[50PoundHead]

I agree with you that I don't really care for the advanced stats approach, but I'm not sure why you think the team should go outside the organization when Brian Snitker did a better job with this bunch than anyone could have dreamed about.

I guess I want some fresh eyes in the organization. I think things have become ossified to some extent. I frankly don't know if Bud Black would be the answer and I worry that his ideas on pitching may conflict with Roger's.

[The Chosen One]

I guess I want some fresh eyes in the organization. I think things have become ossified to some extent. I frankly don't know if Bud Black would be the answer and I worry that his ideas on pitching may conflict with Roger's.

I'd be curious if Roger even has a job... bringing Black in kind of negates need for Roger unless Roger is just there to be there.

[thewupk]

I'd be curious if Roger even has a job... bringing Black in kind of negates need for Roger unless Roger is just there to be there.

I can see that. Team may not be pleased at how the young guys have been doing at the MLB level and want a change.

[The Chosen One]

I can see that. Team may not be pleased at how the young guys have been doing at the MLB level and want a change.

It's unfortunate though. Roger has helped develop a lot of bullpen and starters. Unfortunately for him we got hit hard with injuries to Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Venters, etc. Jurrjens was another solid development.

[yeezus]

I personally blame bad luck for all the pitching injuries we've had, much more so than anything Roger has been doing.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Well I'm sure the new manager if it is not snit would like his own staff

[50PoundHead]

Well I'm sure the new manager if it is not snit would like his own staff

True enough. I just think Roger has done a pretty good job.

[bravesfanforlife88]

True enough. I just think Roger has done a pretty good job.

He has done a pretty good job and has gotten several good reviews from players, I.E. Jim Johnson. I think that Seitzer has done a great job with our hitters. Outside of that, I would be okay with a new 3b coach, bench coach (if not Snit), and first base coach if he wanted to bring some of his own guys.

[chop2chip]

I hope they keep Perez in the organization. He seems like a really likable person and would be a really valuable asset to the young Latin players coming up. Besides, I thought his chest bumps at first base were cool.

[smootness]

I think McDowell has been pretty great as pitching coach.

[chop2chip]

I think McDowell has been pretty great as pitching coach.

I think he's been good, but I can't really point to many recent examples of pitchers, other than Jim Johnson, where he's made an obvious impact (keyword, obvious)

I would love for him to be retained, but it also wouldn't hurt my feelings if he left. Given the choice, I would prioritize Seitzer.

[Enscheff]

I'm not sure how good Black would be, but the thing that worries me is he was rumord to have the job before Fredi was even fired:

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2016/5/4...ired-bud-black

This smells exactly like the Fredi hiring, when everyone knew he had the job before Cox even retired. This looks like another move by the "good old boys club" to hire another one of Hart's buddies.

I'd much rather see a guy like Dave Martinez or Lovullo (sp?) given a real chance.

[bravesnumberone]

Did I read somewhere on here Black has a strong connection with John Hart? That probably tells you all you need to know. It does smell a lot like the same ole "club" thing referenced above.

[CyYoung31]

Imagine Bobby Cox, but just kinda ****tier in every way. Like how Rick Reed was the "poor man's Greg Maddux."

So...Fredi?

[nsacpi]

The good thing is that Snitker will almost certainly become the bench coach or something else at the major league level even if he's not named permanent manager. So I doubt you would have players very upset, he wouldn't actually be going anywhere. And you could potentially get the advantages of having him around while adding add the advantages someone else would bring.

I think this kind of arrangement could be problematic. The bond Snitker has developed with the players is something that would put the new manager (Bud Black or whoever) in an awkward position. Whenever he has to make a controversial decision, there would be some mumbles in the clubhouse about how Snitker would have done it differently. It would place both Snitker and Black in a difficult situation

[Runnin]

Winning %

Bud Black .477
B. Snitker .476

[Runnin]

Online poll for new manager at AJC.

Snit getting 72% of the votes so far. I'm inclined to think that this poll matters.