Washington Nationals welcome new skipper Dave Martinez to D.C. in press conference in Nationals Park...

In the press release announcing the hiring of first-time manager Dave Martinez as the Washington Nationals’ seventh full-time skipper, Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo said the process of searching for Dusty Baker’s replacement led them to the Chicago Cubs’ bench coach.

“As we went through this process it became clear the type of manager we were looking for – someone who is progressive, someone who can connect with and communicate well with our players, and someone who embraces the analytical side of the game,” Rizzo explained.

“We came away from the process feeling like there was absolutely no one better suited – who matched up to what this organization needs right now – than Dave [Martinez].”

This afternoon in the nation’s capital, Martinez will be introduced in a press conference in Nationals Park.

When Baker was introduced back in late 2015, new pitching coach Mike Maddux was in the room. Will any members of Martinez’s staff be introduced this afternoon?

Rumors around D.C. have the Nationals expressing interest in now-former New York Mets’ hitting coach Kevin Long, who interviewed for the manager’s job but, obviously, didn’t get it. Will he join Martinez’s staff as the Nats’ new hitting coach?

Will any of the coaches under Baker return? We know Mike Maddux has found a new home. Will we learn anything about Martinez’s first staff today?

Will any players be there today?

What about reports that there was anger in the clubhouse about Baker’s departure? Will anyone get truthy? Not likely.

How will Mike Rizzo respond to any questions about Baker, or did reporters in D.C. get that stuff out of their system in the conference call the GM held after the decision to move on from the veteran skipper.

We’ll find out today. The press conference is being broadcast live on MASN and on the interwebs on MASNSports.com and Nationals.com.

Check back after for any interesting quotes or notes...