Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos spoke to reporters (including ) yesterday in an end-of-season pre s conference yesterday and covered a variety of topics. Much of the focus, however, was on Brian Snitkers decision to step down as manager and the impending hunt for a new manager. Anthopoulos made sure to emphasize that Snitkers departure from the role was in fact the veteran managers own decision, and that if he had wanted to remain in the dugout for an 11th season Anthopoulos would not have stood in the way of that. He spoke glowingly of the relationship and trust the two of them had built, and went on to reveal that Snitker is actually under contract with the organization through the 2030 season. Thats because, Anthopoulos revealed, Snitkers January 2023 contract extension that was announced as a three-year deal that ended in 2025 was actually an eight-year contract where he would serve as manager through the end of the 2025 season before shifting into a senior advisor role for the final five years of his deal. It was left to Snitker to decide whether that latter portion of the extension would be announced at the time, and Snitker opted against that. Its an interesting reveal that makes clear Snitkers move out of the managers chair is not related to Atlantas disappointing 2025 season, and lends credence to the Dj Stewart Jersey idea that the Braves would have been happy to bring him back for an 11th season as manager if he was inclined to pursue one. Snitker ultimately opted to step aside, however, and thats left Anthopoulos to begin his first search for a new manager since joining the Braves in November of 2017. Anthopoulos told reporters that he had not yet even made a list of potential candidates for the role in deference to Snitker, though he added that doing so was the next item on his offseason to-do list. Anthopoulos noted that the next manager doesnt nece sarily need to follow in the footsteps of Snitker, a 49-year veteran of the organization, and have deep roots within the organization. That should allow Anthopoulos to cast a wider net in finding the right partner to bring playoff baseball back to Atlanta. Former Braves players like and Walt Wei s have been popular speculative picks for the job among fans and in the media, and while OBrien notes that someone like that cannot be ruled out theres been no indication of who Anthopoulos may be looking at as a candidate. Anthopoulos told reporters he hopes to keep it that way, though he also acknowledged that with as many managerial vacancies as there are in baseball at the moment even his notoriously leak-free front office may have trouble keeping the teams plans completely under wraps. Regardle s of who is ultimately leading the Braves from the dugout next year, its clear that some changes will be nece sary on the field. The first major decision point of Atlantas offseason (aside from finding Snitkers replacement) will not actually sit with Anthopoulos at all, as will be able to decide whether to exercise his $16MM player option for 2026 or return to free agency. Kim had a tough year between the Rays and Braves this season, appearing in just 48 games and slashing just .234/.304/.345 overall. Atlanta was quite impre sed with his work after they claimed him off waivers, however, and he posted a respectable 91 wRC+ acro s his 98 plate appearances with the organization. Anthopoulos was candid with reporters (including ) about the fact that the Braves hope to keep Kim in the fold, though it remains to be seen if hell simply exercise his player option or if hell instead look to test free agency. OBrien suggests that the club could look to preempt Kims opt-out decision by negotiating a contract with him before he reaches the open market, as the Royals did with last winter. That would make plenty of sense given Anthopouloss proclivity towards extensions, even for recently-acquired players like and . At the same time, Kims combination of an impre sive ceiling and difficult 2025 season could make him a difficult player to find the proper value for on a longer-term deal. Keeping or replacing Kim isnt the only priority of the teams upcoming offense, of course. Burns notes that Anthopoulos highlighted both the bullpen and the starting rotation as areas he hopes to upgrade this winter in addition to shortstop. The lo s of to the Yankees last offseason was badly felt in the Atlanta rotation, and while talented arms like Sale, , , and all remain under team control, that entire group faces questions headed into 2026 whether those concerns are about age, health, or performance. Bringing in a stable arm who can provide reliable, mid-rotation or better innings would make plenty of sense, and a bullpen that stands to lose and could also see head into free agency if Anthopoulos does not exercise his $7MM club option after losing last year will also need significant reinforcement. The free agent market looks to be littered with quality options in both regards, but the Braves have typically resisted spending large sums of money in free agency and have long preferred to get creative on the trade market when looking to bring in new talent. Perhaps that could change this year after 2025s disappointing finish, and Atlanta will go out and sign someone like or to a sizable contract. It seems more likely, however, that the Braves will instead look to be opportunistic in free agency and focus their more aggre sive pursuits on the trade market, which has brought them succe s when adding players like Sale, Murphy, and Iglesias over the years. , , , and are among the players who could theoretically be available this winter who would fit Atlantas pitching needs. Huascar Brazoban Jersey