The Atlanta Braves managerial carousel is heating up, and what started as a one-horse race might just be turning into a good ol’ fashioned standoff. With the World Series now wrapped up, the focus in Braves Country has shifted to one burning question: Who’s going to lead this stacked roster into 2026?
Danny Lehmann: The Smart Money Favorite
Up until recently, the name on everyone’s lips — and let’s be honest, the one that felt like a lock — was Danny Lehmann. Young, sharp, analytics-savvy, and coming straight out of the Dodgers’ system with that glimmer of postseason polish, he seemed tailor-made for Atlanta. The connection to Braves President of Baseball Ops Alex Anthopoulos only added fuel to the fire. I mean, this guy was in the L.A. dugout as a bench coach and video guru while Anthopoulos was helping build that juggernaut of a Dodgers roster. It just made sense.
John Gibbons: The Veteran Wild Card
But when everyone thought Lehmann was the obvious choice, Braves insider Mark Bowman came sliding in with a curveball. Bowman — who originally made it sound like former Blue Jays skipper John Gibbons wasn’t even on the board — has quietly backed off that stance. And if he’s doing that? Yeah, it’s time to pay attention.
John Gibbons is no stranger to Anthopoulos either. In fact, they’ve got history — the good kind. Gibbons managed the Blue Jays while Anthopoulos was GM up north, and during that stretch, Toronto made it to back-to-back ALCS appearances in 2015 and 2016. Gibbons is a baseball lifer — 11 years in the manager’s seat, a nearly .500 record, and a reputation as a players’ guy who knows how to keep a clubhouse loose and focused. And at 63, he’s no wide-eyed rookie. He just wrapped up a stint with the Mets as a bench coach and is now sitting in the proverbial dugout wings.
Braves’ Silence Speaks Volumes
So, where does this leave the Braves? Well, if you thought this was a done deal, think again. Lehmann may be the front-runner in the betting markets of baseball Twitter, but Gibbons is lurking — and with Anthopoulos running point, that familiarity could be huge. Remember, the Braves don’t tip their hand. If anything, the sudden reappearance of Gibbons in the conversation might be more than just a nostalgic nod to the past. It might be a signal that Atlanta’s next move won’t be quite as predictable as we thought.
One thing’s for sure — whether it’s the rising star or the seasoned vet, the Braves are playing this one close, and the final call is likely coming down to more than just win-loss records. Chemistry, trust, postseason experience — it’s all in play.
