As the 2017 season came to an end, the big question regarding the the offseason surrounded the future of Brian Snitker. When he was named full-time skipper last year, the team gave him a one year deal with an option for 2018. That option is expected to be picked up and the team could announce Snitker’s return for next season in the coming days. What’s still unclear is who will be on his coaching staff going into next season.
Snitker’s return doesn’t necessarily mean his entire coaching staff will remain intact. The two most likely changes could come at first base coach and bench coach, occupied by long time coaches Eddie Perez and Terry Pendleton. Also, the club could look at Chuck Hernandez and potentially go in a different direction at pitching coach, which would give them three different pitching coaches in three calendar years.
In his first full season as manager, the Braves went 72-90, suffering their fourth consecutive sub .500 season. What we do know is that a new GM will be taking over for John Coppolella and other changes could also be in store for the Baseball Operations department. Much like towards the end of the 2016 season, a number of veteran players voiced their support for Snit down the stretch on the final road trip last week. Kurt Suzuki, Freddie Freeman and others all spoke on Snit’s behalf, which carried a lot of weight a year ago. Stay with 680 The Fan all offseason long for all the very latest on the Braves.
@KevinMcAlpin covers the Braves for @680TheFan and the @BravesRadioNet.
