Fansided

3 candidates to replace Dusty Baker as Washington Nationals manager

By Brad Berreman

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 10: Manager Dusty Baker of the Washington Nationals looks on before game four of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 10: Manager Dusty Baker of the Washington Nationals looks on before game four of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Mandatory Credit: Tim Clayton-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Tim Clayton-Getty Images /

2. Fredi Gonzalez

Gonzalez is coming off his first year as third base coach for the Miami Marlins, and he had been mentioned as the front-runner for the Detroit Tigers job that has now gone to Ron Gardenhire. Managerial openings are starting to dry up for this offseason, assuming the Red Sox follow through on hiring Alex Cora after the ALCS, so it’s easy to see Gonzalez now becoming a top candidate for the Nationals.

Gonzalez has of course managed before, for three-plus seasons with the Marlins (2007-2010) and five-plus seasons (2011-2016) with the Atlanta Braves. His teams finished first or second in the division five times in those eight full seasons, including two playoff appearances with the Braves (2012 and 2013).

Being fired twice in the middle of a season is a little odd, but it doesn’t make Gonzalez unique among managerial candidates per se. If nothing else, he has experience working with at times difficult, quick-trigger ownership stemming from his time as Marlins’ manager.

Home/Washington Nationals