In 2025, the Atlanta Braves had a shocking collapse, going from 104 wins in 2023 to a record of 76-86 that put them in fourth place. But the biggest argument this offseason wasn’t about the 28-game drop. Instead, Chipper Jones ferociously defended his old boss Bobby Cox after a local sports host made a comparison that hit a nerve with the franchise legend. This sparked a debate about who really deserves credit for the Braves’ decades of success.

The Braves ended their 2025 season with a record of 76-86, which put them fourth in the National League East, behind the Phillies, Mets, and Marlins. They didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, ending a seven-year streak of October baseball. The team didn’t live up to expectations this season, even though they fought through another season full of injuries. And the debate over who’s to blame for this downfall went into overdrive when Mike Bell shared his thoughts on X.

Chipper Jones erupted on social media after Atlanta sports talk host Mike Bell suggested that Brian Snitker “did more with less” while Bobby Cox “did less with more.” The Hall of Famer didn’t mince words in his response: “U are….without a doubt….a clown! Only an absolute, talentless, gasbag….would take this opportunity to celebrate a glorious retirement by crapping on the generational GM and manager that ignited the last 35 yrs of baseball relevance. U can’t be serious with this post.” Jones played for Cox for almost his entire career. He saw firsthand how the manager built a dynasty that ruled baseball for decades.

Brian Snitker said on Wednesday that he will not be back as manager, but he will stay with the team in a senior advisory role. Jeff Passan of ESPN broke the news after Snitker told the team about his decision. Snitker won 811 games in 10 years, led Atlanta to six division titles and seven playoff appearances, and won the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1995, when they took home the crown in 2021. Steve Gardner of USA Today said that Snitker’s win total is second only to Hall of Famers Bobby Cox and Frank Selee in franchise history, making him one of the best managers in the team’s history.

Snitker’s legacy is safe, but the Atlanta Braves need to find the right person to lead their talented team back to the top of the league. The question isn’t if this team can win; it’s who can help them reach their full potential and get past the problems that have kept them from making the playoffs in recent years.

Braves target Skip Schumaker as Snitker’s successor

Now that Snitker is officially gone, the Braves have to make a big decision about who will lead a team that is ready to compete right away. The front office isn’t starting from scratch; they’re taking over a team that has a ton of All-Star talent and has won the World Series in 2021.

Chris Landers of FanSided thinks that Skip Schumaker is the best person to change that. Schumaker has a unique set of experiences that few other candidates can match. “Schumaker has as well-rounded a resume as you can ask for, from a decade of playing experience to time as a base coach, bench coach, manager, and front office assistant,” Landers wrote. “He knows how the modern game works from every angle, and he blends an embrace of new information with the ability to connect to players.” 

Atlanta has a lot of competition for Schumaker’s services. The Texas Rangers recently let Bruce Bochy go, and reports say they brought Schumaker in as an advisor with plans for who would take over next. He is the top candidate on their wish list.

In 2023, Schumaker won the NL Manager of the Year award for leading the Miami Marlins to an unexpected playoff spot. He took a team that most analysts thought couldn’t compete and made them play in October. For the Braves team looking for the leadership to finally get past the Division Series and back into the championship race, that ability to get the most out of talent and go against the odds could be very useful.