As the Atlanta Braves make their way through a long rebuilding season in 2016, the future of manager Fredi Gonzalez is sure to be a hot topic of conversation.
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Gonzalez Not Expected Back Next Year
Wednesday, May 4
According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, even though no decision has been made about Gonzalez at this point, former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black is considered a “heavy favorite” to take over in Atlanta next season.
Nightengale added in his full report that Braves management is “embarrassed over their horrific start this season” and “internally discussing” whether or not to fire Gonzalez.
There’s no way to classify Atlanta’s 7-19 start as anything but bad, though it’s also prudent to add context. The front office put Gonzalez in a no-win situation this year by trading away Andrelton Simmons, Cameron Maybin, Christian Bethancourt and Shelby Miller over the winter.
Everyone expected the Braves to be bad this season because the front office was going to start building through the farm system.
The Braves’ faith in Gonzalez dating back to 2015 has been interesting, to say the least. He was given a contract extension around the All-Star break last year that guaranteed his salary for 2016 and includes an option for 2017.
At the time, Gonzalez had managed the Braves to a 42-47 record. It was not a great mark, but last year was also seen as the start of a rebuild for the franchise after Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel were traded during the offseason.
Put together a team of the seven major players Atlanta has traded over the last two years, and it would at least be competing for a playoff spot. Whether you believe Gonzalez is a good manager or not, he’s potentially going to be made the scapegoat for a situation in which no one could succeed.
Fortunately for the Braves, Gonzalez is only under a guaranteed contract for 2016, so they won’t have to pay him for a long time to go away if they opt to fire him during the season.
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