As the 2024 MLB regular season nears its end, discussions about Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker’s future are once again making headlines. Since taking over in 2016, Snitker has built an impressive record, leading the team to six straight division titles, a World Series championship, and earning Manager of the Year honors.
His achievements have been critical in the Braves’ sustained success, but in the world of professional sports, it doesn’t take much for change to be considered after a frustrating season.
Some fans are calling for Snitker to be replaced, but the organization doesn’t seem likely to make that move. The Braves have dealt with a rash of injuries this year, yet they’ve remained competitive, which speaks to Snitker’s leadership. The bigger question now is whether Snitker himself might choose to step down after the season is over.
In his latest piece for The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal raised the possibility that Snitker could decide to leave on his own terms. Rosenthal mentions that Snitker might not want to end his tenure after a disappointing season. Then there’s the financial side of the equation. Snitker is under contract, and retiring early could mean walking away from a significant payday. It’s speculated that he’s owed between $1.5 million and $2 million. If he manages next year, though some reports, including from Front Office Sports, have suggested his salary for 2024 could be as high as $4 million.
Despite the money, there’s another factor at play: Snitker’s age and the demands of the job. He’s 68, and managing a team through the ups and downs of a full season is exhausting. Rosenthal notes that Snitker has occasionally mentioned the toll that the job takes, and at his age, stepping away to focus on his health could be a serious consideration.
This isn’t the first time that speculation about Snitker retiring has come up. Jon Heyman, another prominent MLB insider, suggested back in August that Snitker might retire, though Heyman predicted he would wait until his contract expired. It’s a common theme that only seems to arise during a tough season—no one tends to float these ideas when things are going well.
Rosenthal also touched on the idea that Snitker’s departure wouldn’t necessarily mean a complete break from the organization. He could be offered a high-paid advisory role, a position often referred to as a “golden parachute” for long-serving managers and coaches. This would allow him to stay connected to the team in a less demanding capacity, rewarding him for his years of service.
For now, the decision seems to rest with Snitker. He can choose to come back next season and continue managing, or he might opt to retire and potentially take on a different role within the Braves organization. Either way, it seems that he’ll have options—whether it’s this offseason or next.
