Nationals expected to name Bud Black manager

The Washington Nationals are expected to name Bud Black manager, James Wagner of the Washington Post reported.

The 58-year-old Black will be replacing Matt Williams as the leader in the Nationals' clubhouse. Williams was fired earlier this month after the team failed to reach hefty expectations. 

Wagner also reports that former Cubs manager Rick Renteria is the "early favorite" to become Black's bench coach next season. 

Black had been the Padres' manager from 2007 before being fired mid-season this year. He has been considered to be a great manager considering the amount of talent given to him. He won the 2010 NL Manager of the Year award after the Padres went 90-72 and almost made the postseason. 

Overall, Black has a career 649-713 record as manager.

Black had more than just the chance to be a manager this offseason. He's considered a great baseball man. Black was also rumored to possibly enter a team's front office, but ultimately decided to continue his managerial career. 

For the Nationals, the 2016 season is an important one for key front office members, including general manager Mike Rizzo. The team went 83-79 this season, in a year where many thought they could be World Series contenders. 

Black is just the first piece of the Nationals' coaching puzzle for next year. Following the season, they terminated the contracts of all their coaches, so he will need to create a full staff.

​--Devan Fink

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