Report: Bud Black to be hired as Nationals' next manager

The Nationals have settled on Bud Black as their next manager, according to a report from the Washington Post. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo began his search for the team's next skipper after dismissing Matt Williams on Oct. 5.

Of the seven candidates who Rizzo reportedly auditioned over the past few weeks, only Black and veteran manager Dusty Baker returned to D.C. for second interviews.

Rizzo was looking for his new skipper to have previous managerial experience in the majors. Black managed the Padres for eight-plus seasons, compiling a 649-713 record. However, San Diego only finished above .500 twice during his reign and never made the playoffs.

Black is widely respected in the game, and most point to an ownership change and three front office shake-ups in San Diego that led to less-than-competitive payrolls causing the unflattering results. He is widely regarded as a good communicator and for his ability to manage a pitching staff.

Feeling the Padres were underachieving with a 32-33 record, new San Diego general manager A.J. Preller fired Black on June 15.

Black became the Padres skipper in 2006 when Bruce Bochy bolted San Diego to take over the Giants. Black was named National League Manager of the Year in 2010, but despite winning 90 games, the Padres blew a late-season division lead and lost to the Giants on the final day, missing the playoffs.

Black will join Boston's John Farrell and Cincinnati's Bryan Price as the only former pitchers as current major league managers. The left-hander won 121 games over his 15 seasons in the big leagues, including a World Series championship with the Royals in 1985. Black claimed another World Series ring as the Angels pitching coach in 2002.

The Nationals are expected to make the formal announcement following the conclusion of the World Series. Major League Baseball prefers teams not announce major moves during the World Series. Barring rainouts, the Fall Classic cannot end before Oct. 31 and could run as long as Nov. 4 if the Royals and Mets go to a seventh game.

In addition to Black and Baker, Rizzo also met with former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach, Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, Diamondbacks third base coach Andy Green and Diamondbacks Triple-A manager Phil Nevin.