Report: 2 ‘Strong Candidates’ Revealed to Become Atlanta Braves Manager in 2026

The Atlanta Braves came into the 2025 MLB season hoping to compete for a World Series title in what was expected to be Brian Snitker’s final year with the team. Now

Atlanta Braves
Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesJeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves came into the 2025 MLB season hoping to compete for a World Series title in what was expected to be Brian Snitker’s final year with the team. Now that Atlanta is expected to be a seller at the MLB trade deadline, candidates are reportedly already emerging to replace Snitker.

USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reports that former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker and Snitker’s bench coach Walt Weiss are “expected to be strong candidates” to become the Braves manager in 2026.

Related: Atlanta Braves to Listen on Trade Offers for 3 Stars this Winter

Atlanta has had recent success with promoting from within the organization. Before being hired as the Braves’ manager in 2016, Snitker spent his entire coaching career with the organization. He worked his way up from a roving instructor to a third-base coach and later became the club’s Triple-A manager. He’ll retire as the third-winningest manager in team history.

Weiss and Schumaker both have managerial experience with mixed results. Weiss was hired by Atlanta following his stint as the Colorado Rockies skipper (2013-16). After being fired by Colorado, where he never won more than 75 games in a season, Weiss returned to Atlanta, where his playing career ended.

Related: How the Atlanta Braves Will Approach MLB Trade Deadline

Schumaker spent two seasons as the Miami Marlins manager. He was named National League Manager of the Year in 2023 after leading the team to an unexpected 84-win season and a playoff spot. The organization restructured as part of a rebuild the following season, and he was fired after posting a 62-100 record.

A World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent the majority of his playing career, Schumaker is expected to be one of the most coveted MLB managerial candidates this winter.

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Category: General Sports