By Jordan Long
The Washington Nationals have their new manager. The job had been open since they fired Dusty Baker on October 20th. Baker guided the Nationals to a record of 192-132 in his two seasons, but they lost in the National League Division Series both years. The new manager will be Dave Martinez who served as the Chicago Cubs bench coach. He agreed to a 3-year contract with a team option for a 4th year.
Martinez has never a managed an MLB team. He has only been a bench coach. He served as the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs the past 10 years. Before being a bench coach, Martinez played 15 years at the Major League Level as an outfielder. This will be his first managerial job.
According to ABC.com, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said, “As we went through this process, it became clear the type of manager we were looking for — someone who is progressive, someone who can connect with, and communicate well with, our players, and someone who embraces the analytical side of the game. We came away from the process feeling like there was absolutely no one better suited — who matched up to what this organization needs right now — than Dave.”
The Nationals are taking a big risk. Martinez might be the best bench coach out there in the Majors but he lacks experience as a manager. The last ten years he has worked under one of the best, Joe Maddon. That knowledge should help him with this job, especially when it is time to switch pitchers or make a double switch during games.
Martinez inherits a team that is primed for a playoff run. They have talent in pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, infielders Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy, and outfielders Adam Eaton and Bryce Harper. This core group will make Martinez’s job easier.
The Nationals must be patient with him. They expect a World Series title every year. The Nationals can’t fire him after a year or two. They did that with Baker because he couldn’t get them past the division series. For Martinez to keep his job after year 3, the team must make the NLCS and a World Series appearance. Hopefully he can deliver.
What do you think of the Washington Nationals hiring Dave Martinez as manager?
Yeah true. I guess we will see. I like this guy with the Cubs so I am hoping he has success.