The Atlanta Braves faced a challenging 2024 season, hindered by injuries to key players. Despite the setbacks, they made it to the postseason but were swept by the San Diego Padres, ending their playoff run without a win. Now, the team is shifting its focus to 2025, another year in their championship window.
Though rumors of coaching staff changes circulated, manager Brian Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos made it clear they intend to retain the entire coaching staff, according to David O’Brien. While it’s possible some staff members may pursue other opportunities, the Braves are prioritizing continuity.
The core of the coaching team, including Snitker, bench coach Walt Weiss, pitching coach Rick Kranitz, and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, has been together since 2019, during a successful period for the franchise.
There is speculation that Snitker might retire after the 2025 season when his contract expires. He extended the deal in 2023 and will turn 70 next October. If 2025 does mark his final year managing, it could feel like a “last dance” for the Braves, at least under the current leadership. While the roster is built for continued success, the coaching staff may undergo changes after 2025. For now, the same group will lead them through another season.
Braves back to contender status in 2025?
Despite their injuries, the Braves still viewed themselves as World Series contenders in 2024. They barely clinched a playoff spot in their final regular-season game, but their postseason run was short-lived—a rare occurrence for Atlanta.
The Braves have been a regular presence in the playoffs, but since winning the World Series in 2021, their last three seasons have ended in frustration. They were eliminated by the Phillies in the NLDS in both 2022 and 2023, and in 2024, they were swept in the NL Wild Card Series. With just two playoff wins in three seasons, this stretch doesn’t meet the franchise’s high standards of success.
However, Atlanta will still be viewed as a major contender in the National League for 2025. If their key players get healthy, there’s no reason they can’t compete at the highest level. The return of stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley should revive the offense, and Spencer Strider is expected to eventually rejoin the rotation alongside Chris Sale, creating a formidable pitching duo.
While there’s disappointment over how the season ended, especially given the injuries, the Braves demonstrated resilience and can learn from the adversity they faced. They hope that 2024 used up their bad luck and that 2025 will spark a resurgence. With their talent and renewed determination, Atlanta will be a tough team to beat next season as they aim to reclaim their dominance in the National League.
Leave a Reply