3 Atlanta Braves who could follow Ron Washington out the door to Houston

Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington has let it be known that he is interested in the Houston Astros managerial vacancy. Who could follow him out the door?

Ron Washington won two pennants with the Texas Rangers, but resigned due to personal matters and has since found a home with the Atlanta Braves. Washington is beloved by Braves players, but is clearly playing below his weight as a coach. Were he to take over a contending team — say the Houston Astros — he would pick up right where Dusty Baker left off. FanSided’s Robert Murray initially listed Washington as a candidate for the Houston opening.

“But Washington is ready to manage again. In 2021, he told FanSided when asked about the possibility of becoming the Padres’ manager: ‘I think I’m qualified. I think I can get that team over the hump. That’s my thinking. … I’m definitely able to get them where they want to go.’…Surely his thinking would be similar with the Astros and considering his previous time working with now-Astros general manager Dana Brown in Atlanta, Washington could be a name to watch here.”

Washington is more than a name to watch, as more recent reports have stated the Braves assistant is interested in leading his own show with Houston, if given the opportunity.

While Astros fans would prefer a younger, player-friendly voice who could relate to their veterans more than Dusty Baker did, clearly Baker’s presence was appreciated. Washington is only a few years younger, and would have immediate respect in a winning locker room. That is tough to find elsewhere.