Report: Nationals to Hire Dave Martinez as Manager
Per a report by FOX 5 DC, Dave Martinez has been named the new Washington Nationals manager, though an official announcement isn’t expected to be made official until after the World Series.
Per multiple sources @fox5dc can report Dave Martinez will be the next #Nationals manager, won't be announced til after #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/oUzKwMQl0Z
— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) October 28, 2017
It should be noted that Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post is reporting that nothing has yet been completed, particularly in light of the snafu they had experienced with Bud Black being announced during their last search.
Multiple people with organization insist nothing is done. https://t.co/gRIPOMjlyB
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) October 28, 2017
But it should be further noted that Wade Boggs broke the news of the hiring Friday night. Boggs is actually a close friend of Martinez, so it’s possible he spilled the beans a little earlier than he was supposed to.
Congrats to former teammate Dave Martinez on the Nat 's job great baseball guy good luck 👍
— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) October 27, 2017
Martinez served as Joe Maddon’s bench coach for 11 years in both Tampa Bay and Chicago. Maddon’s right-hand man was a managerial candidate nearly every offseason for the last eight-plus years, yet, much to the surprise of his skipper, never landed a job.
“It’s baffling to me a bit why (Martinez isn’t considered) more often,” Maddon said earlier in October. “He’s been around a lot of winning teams here, and not only that, him as a player, that’s what drew me to him a bit with the Rays.”
Martinez is the latest Cubs coach to move on in what has already been a tumultuous offseason. Chris Bosio’s contract was not extended; John Mallee was let go; Eric Hinske was named hitting coach of the Angels; and Gary Jones won’t be back.
Cubs players were always subjected to Martinez’s honesty, which is what the new Nationals manager thinks it is his standout trait.
“I have a great relationship with [Cubs players] and I try to be as brutally honest with these guys, and they get it. I don’t mind the pushback. I really don’t. It’s part of it.”
We’ll hear more about candidates to succeed Martinez as Cubs bench coach in the coming days, but keep an eye on first base coach Brandon Hyde.
