Zachary Rotman: My overarching takeaway is that Brian Snitker retiring sooner than later might be for the best. He’s a great manager, undoubtedly, but Acuña clearly is not completely thrilled with every decision he makes in the dugout, and he only made it harder to defend him by essentially saying he didn’t pull Kelenic because he was asleep at the wheel and didn’t notice his lack of hustle in real time or on the replay. This drama will eventually go away, but that doesn’t mean Acuña will ever fully be behind Snitker again after this incident.
Eric Cole: As the resident Braves guy, this is a long-built situation that has required a lot of give and take from both sides. Acuña Jr. is a young guy that is immensely talented, but doesn’t ascribe to the old school and Brian Snitker has been coaching for 50 years. There is going to be misunderstandings. I think Ronald was right to be perturbed at the inconsistency, but shouldn’t have turned to social media with it. I think Snitker needs to be more consistent, but probably shouldn’t be dragged to oblivion for one instance of non-discipline. Get those two on the phone or in a room and let them talk it out. Fully expect this to be a non-issue very soon as they both know what each other brings to the table, but I suppose it is possible it lingers until Snitker retires.
Chris Landers: To Eric’s point, while it’s easy to forget now, it was a bit of a bumpy road to stardom for Acuña Jr. with the Braves, as his personality very much clashed with the culture that has been in Atlanta since the days of Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones. They’ve managed to make it work, but he and Brian Snitker are simply very, very different guys, and it’s not too surprising that – with Acuña Jr. away from the team rehabbing an injury, and the big-league club mired in a nasty start to this season – things would bubble up again. If Atlanta starts playing the way we all expected, they can probably patch this up and move on. But if not, well, we’ve seen how big of a powderkeg this team and its disparate parts can be.
Adam Weinrib: I think it’s really weird that a lead announcer – and a TBS playoff guy! – in Jeff Francoeur went and torched the face of the franchise he covers, while also publicly selling a story that Jarred Kelenic cried for a half hour after not being pulled from the game and becoming the center of attention? I don’t know, man! I think there’s a bridge to be built here in Atlanta, but I don’t understand how a simple (and accurate) tweet setting off so much vitriol from all corners bodes well for the future. Also, how was Snitker not more prepared for a better answer? Goldfish memory?
Robert Murray: I think it highlights that the Braves’ issues are deeper than just the roster. They have some underlying issues that need to be addressed. What should help the Braves is that Alex Anthopoulos has purposely constructed a locker room full of great people and humans. He has done that intentionally. With that and Snitker’s strong presence, I think this issue will resolve itself. But I’m believing less and less by the day that Atlanta is a postseason team.
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