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As they search for a new manager, the Washington Nationals have reportedly begun interviewing candidates this week.
On Tuesday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that former no.1 overall pick and Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A skipper Phil Nevin interviewed for the Nationals' opening.
This afternoon, San Francisco Chronicle writer Bruce Jenkins, citing a "rock-solid source" wrote on Twitter that veteran manager Dusty Baker met with the Nationals to discuss the job that became available when the Nats relieved second-year skipper Matt Williams of his duties on the bench in the nation's capital last Monday.
Finally, some long-awaited interest: Dusty Baker interviewing with the Nationals today. Rock-solid source.
— Bruce Jenkins (@Bruce_Jenkins1) October 14, 2015
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman too confirmed the news that Baker met with the Nats' brass, writing this afternoon that his sources told him the 66-year-old veteran of 20 major league seasons on the bench interviewed for the job and several other candidates will in the near future.
nats, targeting some of biggest and best names, interviewed dusty baker today. http://t.co/e78dXLWCkK
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 14, 2015
"The Nats have met or will meet with former Padres manager Bud Black and former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, as well," Heyman wrote. "Black's meeting is said to be this week, as well."
Baker spent ten seasons with the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), four with the Chicago Cubs (2003-2006) and six with the Cincinnati Reds (2008-2013), compiling a 1671-1504 record (.540 winning %).
Heyman noted that the former major leaguer-turned manager, "... would be a very serious candidate for a situation with a strong team ready to win."
Nationals reportedly interview Phil Nevin for manager gig
Photo © Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo, when he spoke to reporters last week about Williams' dismissal, said that he still believes the Nationals are close to competing for a World Series championship.
"We feel that where we're at in our timetable in our time frame of winning a championship, we certainly would lean towards someone that has some type of managerial experience, especially at the major league level," Rizzo said.
"But," Rizzo added, "we're going to be open-minded and look for the best candidate we can that allows us to win a championship here in the very near future."