How to Fix the Nationals? Part 2

Before I even got a chance to write this, the Nationals took the most obvious step towards changing things from last season: They fired Matt Williams this morning.  Look, he is a really nice guy, knows the game (especially hitting) pretty well.  However, he was completely in over his head with this team.  He has no idea how to manage pitching, which at one point was this team's strength.  He lost the clubhouse and the fans.  He had to go.  I am sure he will end up on his feet somewhere soon, though, as a great hitting coach.

The more surprising move is that the Nats fired the entire coaching staff.  Many of those guys, especially beloved bench coach Randy Knorr, have been there since the team either came to DC, or before the franchise became good.  It will be tough losing them all, though I am sure they will all have major league jobs next season if they so desire.  I could still envision Randy Knorr getting an interview for the head job with the Nats if he chooses.

So, now that Matt Williams is gone, who takes over a team with so much talent and so little to show for it?  Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post wrote a great piece looking at various options, the most intriguing to me being Bud Black, Dave Martinez, and Ron Wotus.  All three have some sort of managerial experience, even as a bench coach.  Bud Black clearly has the most time as a leader, even though his time in San Diego wasn't spectacular, it was solid for a team that didn't want to spend much money.  Plus, he understands pitching much better than Williams.  Both Martinez and more-so Wotus come from under the tutelage of winning managers, and may just need the chance to shine on their own.

There are other names out there for sure.  MASN's Byron Kerr brings up two interesting options, both with a JR after their name- Nats AAA manager Billy Gardner, Jr and Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.  Call was a popular name when Matt Williams was hired, and would be viewed as something of a shot across the bow of that team in Baltimore.  However, he has zero managerial experience, and coming off of Williams' failures, I doubt that would be an option.  Gardner has managed in the minors for 21 years, was the 2014 International League Manager of the Year, but his Syracuse Chiefs struggled to a 66-78 record this year.  It may not be his time just yet.

The final name I would like to toss out, just because we know he can win and has the Hall of Fame clout to get guys to listen to him, is Tony La Russa.  I know, he is retired and has a front office position with the Diamondbacks.  However, the allure of being able to manage Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer for an extended period of time has to be appealing on some level to anyone that loves the game of baseball as much as La Russa does.  He is the type of manager that could come in, even at 71 (just turned 71 on 10/4. Happy Birthday!), get guys to buy in, and win a championship.  Just an idea.


So there you have it.  The Nats search for a manager has officially begun.  The free agents will all be gone soon, and the appropriate moves have to be made.  For a team that had such high hopes, this season was a massive failure and extreme disappointment.  It is possible to fix the Nationals.  But will that fix be an easy one?