Breaking down the Nats' managerial candidates

The Nationals began interviewing candidates for their managerial opening days after general manager Mike Rizzo relieved Matt Williams of his duties on Oct. 5. Since then, seven different candidates are known to have met with Rizzo and members of the Nationals brass about leading a roster believed to still be a World Series contender in 2016.

Here is a look at each candidate and their chances of securing the Nationals job:

1. Dusty Baker, veteran manager: The former three-time National League Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000) compiled a 1,671-1,504 record (.526) while managing from 1993-2013. He led the Giants, Cubs and Reds to the postseason seven times but only advanced to the World Series once, losing with San Francisco in 2002. The 66-year-old hasn't managed since Cincinnati fired him after losing to the Pirates in the 2013 NL wild card game. Baker, a two-time All-Star during his 19-year playing career, won a World Series championship with the Dodgers in 1981. The Washington Post reported Friday that Baker is due to meet again with the Nationals this week. Chances: High

2. Bud Black, former Padres manager: After managing the Padres for nine seasons, San Diego fired Black in mid-June with a 32-33 mark. Black owns a 649-713 record with the Padres, his first job as a major league manager. While consistently dealing with cheaper payrolls, Black's Padres only finished above .500 in two of his nine years and never made the playoffs. Black was named the National League's Manager of the Year in 2010, when the Padres won 90 games but missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse. The left-hander won 121 games during his 15 years in the majors, which included a World Series title with the 1985 Royals. He won another World Series ring as pitching coach of the Angels in 2002. Like Baker, the Post also reported that Black will interview for a second time with the Nationals this week. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, "Black is the preferred choice of some in the Nationals front office." Chances: High

3. Ron Gardenhire, former Twins manager: Gardenhire, 57, was the 2010 American League Manager of the Year and guided Minnesota to six AL Central titles. However, after Gardenhire's last postseason appearance in 2010, his Twins went on to four straight 90-plus-loss seasons, leading to his dismissal in 2014. Gardenhire's Twins went 1,068-1,039 during his 13 years as manager and 6-21 in the postseason. Gardenhire is considered an excellent communicator who was well liked by his players in Minnesota. He is a fiery manager who welcomes an on-field argument. Chances: High

4. Ron Wotus, Giants bench coach: Wotus doesn't have the major league managerial background Rizzo seems to desire but the Giants bench coach certainly has plenty of experience. After a brief career as an infielder in the majors, Wotus went on to manage in the Giants farm system from 1991-1997. He was twice named Manager of the Year in the minors while compiling a 554-412 record. Wotus was promoted to the Giants' major league coaching staff in 1998 and has served as bench coach since 1999. He served under respected San Francisco managers Baker and Felipe Alou, and owns three World Series rings (2010, 2012, 2014) as part of manager Bruce Bochy's staff. Wotus is considered a strong communicator and a high-energy presence around the ball field. Chances: Good

5. Tim Wallach, Dodgers bench coach: Wallach's managerial career began in 1998 with the Dodgers' Single-A San Bernardino club. He became the Dodgers' hitting coach in 2005 and then returned to the minors as skipper of Triple-A Albuquerque in 2009. Wallach was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year that season after leading the Isotopes to the playoffs. The Dodgers promoted Wallach to third base coach in 2010 and he became bench coach in 2014. Wallach won three Gold Glove Awards and was an All-Star five times during his 17-year career in the majors, which began in Montreal in 1980. The 58-year-old played 13 seasons for the Expos and owns a lifetime .257 batting average with 260 homers. Chances: Average

6. Phil Nevin, Diamondbacks Triple-A manager: After a 12-year major league career that included one All-Star appearance, Nevin began his managing career in independent baseball in 2008. By 2010, the Tigers hired Nevin as manager of Double-A Erie. The next year, Detroit promoted him to manage Triple-A Toledo. Nevin went 192-238 as manager of the Mud Hens and was fired after the 2013 season. The Diamondbacks quickly hired him to manage Triple-A Reno in 2014. He has compiled a 151-137 record in two seasons as Reno's skipper. Nevin is also reportedly a candidate to fill the Padres and Marlins vacancies. Chances: Doubtful

7. Andy Green, Diamondbacks third base coach: Green, a former infielder, played parts of three seasons with the Diamondbacks from 2004-2006 when Rizzo was Arizona's director of scouting. The 38-year-old Green began managing in the Diamondbacks minor league system in 2011. He took over as skipper of the Double-A Mobile BayBears in 2012 and was named Southern League Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2014, both playoff seasons. Leading up to his promotion as Diamondbacks third base coach last year, Green was also interviewed for Arizona's managerial opening before Chip Hale was hired as skipper. Chances: Doubtful

Former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez have not interviewed for the Nats' managerial opening yet, but are possibilities to join this list this week.