The Washington Nationals have reportedly made their choice for the club's next manager – Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams. The club also plans to keep bench coach Randy Knorr on Williams' staff after considering him for the job. The announcement of Williams' hiring hasn't come yet, but is planned sooner rather than later.
Williams hasn't had much pro managerial experience, serving as the interim manager of the AA Mobile BayBears for two months in 2007 and managing the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League last year. He's also a minority owner of the Diamondbacks, which I'd assume will change with his new position in Washington.
Williams will turn 48 in November, and has been a popular management option over the past couple of seasons. He was linked to the Nationals earlier this year, and his hiring seemed like a formality, even after the rumors linking Cal Ripken Jr to the job in Washington. On one hand, I have to applaud the Nationals for going with a manager that isn't a retread. On the other hand, this is a team built to win now (as well as in the future), and if Williams isn't an impressive manager, it could set back the club even further after a disappointing 2013.
