Prospects for Bud Black's coaching staff

The reaction to Bud Black beating out Dusty Baker for the Nationals managerial job might have caused some head scratching at first. After all, the former managed the Padres - his only gig as a big league skipper - to a less-than-flattering 649-713 record over 8 1/2 years without tasting one sip of playoff-clinching champagne, while the latter took three different teams to the playoffs, reaching the World Series with the Giants in 2002.

The immediate feeling on Black is understandable. Why would most know much about him as a manager, especially from almost 3,000 miles away? Black's Padres mostly played under the radar late at night and never for a national audience in October.

But sifting through the wins and losses, you'll find a 58-year-old man who is highly respected throughout the game. The southpaw won 121 games with a 3.84 ERA over his 15 years, mostly as a starting pitcher, in the majors. He played for five different teams, winning a World Series with the Royals in 1985.

Following his playing career, Black became a special assistant to former Indians general manager John Hart. In 2000, Black joined Mike Scioscia's staff in Anaheim as pitching coach. Black guided the Angels arms to a top-five finish in the American League in team ERA in five of his seven seasons.

Black captured his second World Series ring in 2002 while leading the Angels pitching staff, and Bartolo Colon won the 2005 AL Cy Young under his direction.

When Black succeeded Bruce Bochy as Padres manager in 2006, he retained Darren Balsley as pitching coach. Born and raised in Southern California, Balsley is rumored to be following Black across the country to oversee the Nationals' stable of pitchers.

Balsley, 51, bounced around as a minor league pitcher from 1984-1989 before beginning his coaching career in 1990. After 10 years in the Blue Jays system, Balsley joined San Diego in 2000.

Balsley's pitchers collectively ranked as some of the best in the game with the Padres posting the fifth-best team ERA (3.87) in the majors from 2004-2014. San Diego right-hander Tyson Ross, the older brother of Nats rookie Joe Ross, told FOXSports.com that Balsley "made the biggest difference in my career."

Right-hander Jake Peavy won the National League Cy Young under Black and Balsley in 2007.

If Black can coax Balsley away from San Diego, the Nationals would obtain a pitching coach who understands the nuances of managing a bullpen.

Dave Roberts was Black's bench coach in San Diego the past two seasons and became interim manager for one game after Black was fired on June 15. Roberts was an outfielder for 10 years in the majors, winning a World Series with the Red Sox in 2004. He could join Black's staff in Washington.

Rick Renteria, 53, was Black's bench coach from 2011-2013 before becoming the Cubs manager. He lasted only one year in Chicago when the Cubs made a move for Joe Maddon to take over as skipper. Renteria also coached first base for San Diego from 2008-2010 and managed Team Mexico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Black could potentially rehire some members of last year's Nats staff. Randy Knorr, Matt LeCroy and Bobby Henley have already accepted other positions in the organization. Steve McCatty was up for the Tigers pitching coach position, but didn't get it. Former hitting coach Rick Schu and former first base/outfielders coach Tony Turasco both maintained strong rapport with the players.

So when the Nationals make Black's hiring official next week following the conclusion of the Fall Classic, assembling a staff will be the first order of business. The most important aspect is that this time there shouldn't be any trust issues as Black will be able select his lieutenants to carry out his vision.