But I’ll throw a comment in here. I think Rizzo has earned the right to stay, but I do think that the Nats have to look at all of the candidates, just as I’ve thought all season. If they feel that one of those candidates (presumably DiPoto, who ironically replaced Rizzo as the Scouting Director in Arizona when Rizzo came to Washington) is better for the job, then they feel that he’s better for the job.

The important thing to realize here is that it’s still in the “rumor” stages, though some of the sources do certainly seem valid. I will point to one thing that I mentioned in my fanpost, though:

While the timing of this rumor (if it’s true) certainly seems awkward shortly after the Strasburg signing, the decision to end the GM search by the end of the month should take precedence. Whether it’s Rizzo, DiPoto, or whoever, there’s a lot of work to be done. Getting a leg up on coming up with an offseason (and, ideally, longer term) plan is going to be important to whoever the new (or no longer “Acting”) General Manager is.

I’d be a bit surprised if Depoto got the job of VP/GM for the Nats. Right now, his title in Arizona is VP/Player Personnel. He’s not Assistant GM in Arizona. I could see the Nats making Rizzo GM/VP and bringing in Depoto as Assistant GM/VP of Baseball Operations. Any chance of something like that happening?

http://nats320.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-does-metro-continue-to-disappoint.html

not the idea of it or the way it’s going down.

i tried to explain to some folks the other night that Rizzo had very little to do with the Strasburg signing, regardless of what was being said in the paper about it, but one wanted to listen.

there is an organizational house-cleaning coming. hiring the permanent GM is the first step.

since it has moved to DC, this organization has never had a chance to work properly. no one in a position of authority has been able to hire the people that work for them. Kasten was stuck with Bowden. Bowden was stuck with Rizzo. everyone was stuck with Dana Brown. even the managers weren’t able to hire their own coaches.

i suspect that the new GM will come in and clean house and hire his “own people”. for once. the way it’s supposed to be done.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/16705404

Insider thingy I can’t get to…

Rizzo has done a decent job and the Nats know it. But, for some reason other than that, he is not going to get this job. It could be that some of the owners do not like him. He got drunk at the christmas party and hit on the bosses wife. I do not know, but they cleazrly have been trying to find an excuse to get rid of him that sits well with fans. SO I feel they clearly think he is doing good work, can’t find a great reason to fire him, but want to fire him anyway.

he is a decent enough ESPN analysist, but he is far from the smartest man in the game clearly. A real marginal talent as a GM at best. I would not back Steve Phillips at all, so I am very glad he said no.

Here’s Stan’s speech …I won’t even require payment, Stan.

Today we introduce our permanent GM. Jerry DiPoto. He’s got a history of blah blah with the D-Backs and Red Sox and I feel he’ll be a great GM and help bring a championship to DC…blah blah Red Sox..blah blah built X with youny Y….
I’d like to thank Mike Rizzo for stepping in and helping out when we needed him most. He did an admirable job as interim GM since jackass Bowden got fired/quit. Mike will work closely with Jerry moving forward, and has been itching to get back to his position as scouting director. Mike, thanks so much for captaining the ship through the season. (Now finish the season so Jerry can replace you)

Washington Nationals Offer $1 Tickets To Friday’s Game in Celebration of Signing 1st Round Draft Pick Stephen Strasburg

The Washington Nationals will offer tickets for $1, based on availability, in the LF/RF Corner

(Sections 108 through 110 and 135 through 137), LF Box (Sections 103 through 107) and

LF/RF Mezzanine (201 through 205 and 223 through 235) for Friday evening’s game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. Tickets may be purchased on-line beginning today at noon, by visiting www.nationals.com/one. The Nationals will make an additional 1,000 tickets available for $1, in the sections listed above, for purchase at the Nationals Park Main Box Office on Friday from noon until 2:00pm. There is a limit of two tickets per transaction on all online and walk-up purchases.

All tickets for Friday’s game will allow fans to view the press conference announcing Stephen Strasburg as the newest member of the Washington Nationals, weather permitting*. The press conference will take place on the field at 2:00pm. Fans may enter the ballpark through the Center Field Gates beginning at 1:30pm and will have access to the seating area behind the Visitors’ Dugout on the third base line. Following the press conference Nationals Team Officials will participate in a 30-minute question-and-answer session with those in attendance. The seating area will remain open, giving fans an exclusive close-up view of Nationals Batting Practice.