Colorado Rockies Manager Search: Atlanta’s Choice Sets Tone?

The first piece of the Major League Baseball managerial puzzle may be in place … and it could have an impact on the Colorado Rockies.

According to a published report, the Atlanta Braves are expected to name Brian Snitker as their manager for the 2017 season. Snitker served as the interim manager for the Braves last season after Fredi Gonzalez was fired in mid-May.

With the Braves selecting Snitker, that could set off a domino effect for other managerial choices who have potentially been linked with the Rockies and were also in discussion for the Atlanta opening. Atlanta first base coach Eddie Perez will not be the new Braves skipper, so could that push him toward talks with the Rockies? According to an earlier article, the Rockies contacted Perez about the opening created when Walt Weiss stepped down last Monday.

Also supposedly in talks for the Atlanta job was former San Diego manager Bud Black, who has had his name also linked to the Colorado opening.

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According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, six men were interviewed for the Atlanta opening. They were Snitker, Black and former manager Ron Washington, as well as Braves coaches Terry Pendleton, Perez and Bo Porter.

No reports have linked Washington, Pendleton or Porter to the Colorado opening.

Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich is expected to set up interviews from within and outside the Rockies organization to replace Weiss. Among those internal names mentioned is Glenallen Hill, who coached Colorado’s Triple-A team in Albuquerque last season.

“We will look at multiple avenues and there will be both internal and external interviews that we will want to have,” Bridich said during a recent teleconference with members of the media.

Next: Is Matt Holliday Headed for a Colorado Reunion?

In his four years as Rockies manager, Weiss compiled a 283-365 record. Colorado went 75-87 in 2016, the best effort under Weiss.