The fate of Braves manager Brian Snitker was discussed in a meeting with team officials Saturday that all parties agreed went well, though no decision apparently has been made or firm timetable set for deciding whether to keep him at the helm for 2018.
The Braves hold an option on the contract of Snitker, 61, who is completing his first full season as manager after spending the final 4 ½ months of the 2016 season as interim manager upon the firing of Fredi Gonzalez. The Braves have until the week after the World Series to decide whether to exercise or decline the option.
“We are aware of the job Brian has done, and what he’s meant to the Braves not only in 2017 but throughout the 41 years he’s had here,” Braves general manager John Coppolella said. “I don’t want to put timetables on (the decision). We have, technically, until five days after the World Series. I don’t see it going down to the last hour, but I can’t tell you by any certain date and time.
“We’ve just got to see how it goes. It could be prior to the end of the season, it could right at the end of the season, but we just don’t know right now.”
Snitker, who said Friday that he definitely wants to return as manager, said after Saturday's noon meeting at SunTrust Park: "It was a good meeting. Had a chance to kind of talk about the year and going forward. There were a lot of positive things."
As for when he expected a decision, Snitker said, “We have the rest of the season to go, I’m sure we’ll continue to talk and express views and things like that in the next week.”
“One-hundred percent,” Suzuki said after signing a new one-year, $3.5 million contract Saturday. “I think he’s done a phenomenal job getting us ready for baseball games. I think, for me personally, just knowing you have a manager that has your back 100 percent, it says a lot. He’s a guy that I’d play for any day of the week, anytime, anywhere.”
Freddie Freeman also went to team officials this summer and told them he hoped that Snitker would be retained.
