Published 5:30 pm Friday, September 5, 2025

The Atlanta Braves’ recent 10-game road trip was a microcosm of their struggles this season. They traveled to Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago, finished 4-6 with five losses coming by just one run. The Braves have played in 52 one-run games this year, compiling a miserable 19-33 record.

It is an indication that the Braves are competitive but are just not good enough this year. That can be attributed to key injuries, comparable to what the team experienced in 2024. You can also say key hitters are not hitting like previous years. Both reasons are factually correct.

But in the end, leadership has to shoulder some of the blame for the consistent close losses. That falls on manager Brian Snitker.

With only three weeks remaining in the season, the Braves’ disappointing year is thankfully nearing its end. One of the biggest question marks looming this offseason will be the Snitker’s managerial status moving forward.

It has long been believed in Major League Baseball circles that Snitker would retire at the end of the season, though he hinted during a recent interview with ESPN announcers that he hadn’t made up his mind about managing in 2026. I personally believe that Snitker’s days are numbered, and that may not be a bad thing for the future of the Braves.

Yes, I realize there’s about three weeks remaining in the season, but the Braves are double digits behind in the Wild Card standings and even further behind the first-place Phillies in the National League East Division race. It is unreasonable to start thinking about key changes being made in the organization and it should start in the managerial position where Snitker’s contract runs out after this season.

The Braves are at a pivotal point in their organization’s future. While the bulk of their team is still somewhat young and in their prime years, they are finishing a disastrous season where changes are needed and expected to be made. That includes a different voice in the clubhouse.

Snitker is a lifelong Brave so it’s hard not to be loyal to a baseball man who has been just as loyal to the franchise. And it’s not like he doesn’t deserve some credit for the team’s recent run of success, which includes the 2021 World Series championship.

But he certainly deserves his share of the blame for the team’s woes this season.