Washington Nationals To Oust Jose Rijo, Who's Next?

by Dave at District Sports Page on Feb 26, 2009 12:13 AM EST

I know it's late and this post isn't going to be very long, but it's really just a point for discussion among the faithful anyway. According to Nats Journal, Jose Rijo will be been relieved of his duties as Special Assistant to the General Manager, though reading through the story, it appears Rijo had not been told at the time Chico spoke to him.

Jorge Arangure, Jr. from ESPN.com had the story too.

Additionally, both stories have the Nats shutting down the team's academy in Rijo's facility in the Dominican Republic as well, officially leaving the Nationals with no presence in the D.R. Assistant G.M. Mike Rizzo was in the D.R. trying to secure access to a training facility, probably to share with other organizations. According to the ESPN.com story, Rizzo also met with Fernando Ravelo, G.M. of the Dominican Winter League's Tigres de Licey, better known as the "Washington Nationals South", about replacing Rijo as the team's director of Dominican operations.

Interstingly enough, the Detroit TIgers also utilize Rijo's facility, and they seem to be perfectly happing continuing the relationship, again according to ESPN.com's story.

All of these developments come as good news, the first signs of stepping forward out of the abyss that this mess has become.

Rijo's the first head to roll in this incident. With all the rumors floating around Stan Kasten possibly discussing the G.M. position with Tony LaCava, one must wonder if this move is just the start. What say you, Federal Baseball loyalists?

Poll

With the Nationals relieving Jose Rijo of his duties and moving their D.R. operations to another facility, do you think the buck stops there, or is this just the tip of the iceberg?

Yes. Rijo's dismissal is the first step. I expect Jim Bowden to be joining him soon.

80 votes

No. Rijo and his academy is enough. Bowden's been bad but he doesn't deserve to go unless more evidence is presented.

10 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Perception is Reality

This scandal is clearly not going to be cleared up anytime soon. The Nationals need to unload Jim regardless of idiot-Bud Selig’s decision on whether to waive baseball’s Rooney Rule. We need a fresh start.

Stan has clearly been a successful president in the past and inheriting Jim probably didn’t please him very much. Let Stan get his person in place and let’s see what can be done. There are many ways to build a baseball team and a tweak here and there can make a big difference to the plan.

Someday soon, the air will seem a little cleaner in NatsTown.

The two most common elements in the world are hydrogen and stupidity.

by RoscoeNats on Feb 26, 2009 8:47 AM EST reply actions

If Bowden was part of the first "PLAN" does this mean the Nationals would have to start a new "Plan"?

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Feb 26, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

Roscoe wants a new sheriff in town !!! so, do I..

I totally agree with you,Roscoe. Perception is everything in baseball. This scandel just make Bowden look like that much more of an idiot to the rest of baseball. We need a new sheriff to clean up Natstown. I’m picturing Stan K as the Joker saying “This town needs an enema…” It’s not funny that a man has lost his job and another looks to soon lose his, but the idea of having a GM that can garner the respect need to run a team just make me giddy…

by Berndaddy on Feb 26, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

Fair or not, as everyone is happy to point out...the Nationals are viewed as the "laughingstocks" of baseball...

…I mean it’s like the baseball world had a meeting and agreed on that term too…everyone uses it…there are several instances of opposing GM’s talking s—- about Bowden, no free agents seem to “want” to come play here…(I firmly believe Dunn just took the best offer.)…so fair or not, the team needs to change something, and since they haven’t changed the team into an instant contender, the FO might be the best place for a makeover…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Feb 26, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

Zuckerman at the Times...

In case you didn’t see, he said there has absolutely been no contact with Toronto and that if Bowden goes, the Nats would likely install Rizzo as interim to keep continuity through the draft and also see how Rizzo does. He could be great.

The two most common elements in the world are hydrogen and stupidity.

by RoscoeNats on Feb 26, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

Where are you reading that?

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Feb 26, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions