Snitker 'not beating the door down' for extension with Braves
Brian Snitker doesn't know if he'll manage the Atlanta Braves in 2018, but the uncertainty over his future isn't weighing on him as his rebuilding club plays out the final stretch of another mostly developmental season.
"I don’t worry about it," Snitker told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. "I figure things will happen the way they do. Because of where I am in my career and my life, I’m secure with everything. I don’t need this to define me. I feel like the Braves are going to do what they’re going to do. And I’ll be good with it. I’m not beating the door down for an extension. I feel when the time is right, they’re going to come to me and I’m going to be the manager or not."
The Braves have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to make a decision on Snitker's team option for the 2018 campaign, which, if exercised, would keep the 61-year-old in charge for a third straight season. If not, John Hart would have to bring in his third manager since taking over as president of baseball operations in 2014.
Under his stewardship, the Braves - focused more on infusing the organization with young talent than fielding a contender at the MLB level - have gone 127-148, though the recent arrivals of Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, and Sean Newcomb in Atlanta inspire optimism for the future.
Whether Snitker will be around to see those youngsters blossom remains to be seen, however. Though he's been part of the Braves organization for 41 years, signing with the club in 1977 and landing myriad coaching and managerial jobs in the minor leagues over the ensuing decades, Snitker isn't sure he'd necessarily accept a different position within the organization if not retained as manager.
"I don't know," Snitker said. "It's not a blanket 'yes.' That’s something I would evaluate at the time."
Still, as the Braves wrap up a third straight losing season, it's clear the front office wants some change, at least. On Friday, the club reportedly fired a number of pro scouts, including Leon Worth, who signed Jorge Posada for the New York Yankees, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.