The Atlanta Braves are not going to make the postseason this year, marking what will go down as their worst season under manager Brian Snitker. After making the playoffs for several consecutive years, this disappointing campaign stands out—and it may signal the end of an era in Atlanta. There’s growing speculation that the Braves could have a new manager in 2026.
“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”
On top of managerial uncertainty, there’s a shocking possibility that Ronald Acuña Jr. could be traded to a major-market team.
“Analyzing the teams that would have the financial means to afford Acuna, as well as the prospect capital to swap for him, Riley plugged values into his trade machine to generate a proposal from the New York Yankees that would send shortstop Anthony Volpe, pitcher Ian Hamilton and a pair of their top prospects, outfielder Spencer Jones (MLB No. 87, Yankees No. 3) and pitcher Bryce Cunningham (Yankees No. 4),” Heavy.com’s Dave Benson wrote.
These trade rumors are gaining traction following reports that Snitker has been trying to “send a message” to Acuña by moving him down in the lineup. Acuña has expressed a desire to end his career in Atlanta, but recent decisions by Snitker seem to be straining that relationship.
If a trade were to happen, the Braves would receive a major haul—possibly including their future shortstop and several top prospects. Still, it would mean saying goodbye to another cornerstone of the franchise’s World Series-winning team.
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Hopefully, the situation between Snitker and Acuña can be resolved. Both are beloved figures in Atlanta, and losing either—let alone both—would be a major blow to the organization and its fanbase.