The Atlanta Braves are looking for a new manager and former Padres skipper Bud Black is reportedly the front-runner to land the job.
Atlanta is off to a 9-28 start and fired Fredi Gonzalez on Tuesday. Black has a good relationship with Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart (they worked together in Cleveland) and a familiarity with parts of Atlanta’s personnel. There are six players on the Braves 40-man roster who were with the Padres when Buddy was the manager.
Black is currently working in the front office with the Los Angeles Angels but would be allowed to leave for a Major League managerial spot. The Braves are also expected to consider in-house candidates, including hitting coach Terry Pendleton and third base coach Bo Porter, who used to manage the Houston Astros.
Black interviewed for, and reportedly was offered, the manager's job with the Washington Nationals in the off-season but the two sides could not work out a contract. The Nats hired Dusty Baker instead.
