According to a report by SI.com, the Nationals are expected to fire manager Manny Acta, possibly as early as Monday.
Acta, 40, is well-liked by his bosses but appears to be taking the hit for the team’s 16-43 start. Nationals bosses feel “something needs to be done,” a person familiar with their thinking said.
Nationals bosses are said to admire Acta’s patience. However, they may not have the same sort of patience. He is 148-234 in his time in Washington.
Nationals president Stan Kasten and interim GM Mike Rizzo did not return phone calls.
The likely firing was first reported by foxsports.com, which said that Jim Riggleman would take over for Acta. Riggleman has managed the Cubs, Padres and Mariners.
It isn’t known how the early report of the likely firing might affect the Nationals’ thinking. But normally the ultimate decision doesn’t change based on the reporting.
Acta’s record speaks for itself, but what were the front office heads expecting? He’s got a young pitching staff that is going to need time to develop and although the offense is solid, the Nats are still a year or two away from competing (if not three, four or five years away).
I don’t follow Washington too closely, so I don’t know how good or bad Acta’s game managing is. But I do know he’s not working with much and I’m a little surprised that the front office wants to make a move, especially to Riggleman, who isn’t going to be much of an upgrade.
