GM Mike Rizzo fully expects Jim Riggleman to return to Washington in 2011 to manage the Nationals for another season, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The team would have had the option of buying out Riggleman for $100K after the season, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
"Yes, he will be back next season. He has done a terrific job," said Rizzo. "He is a terrific baseball manager. He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the games starts, he is as good as anybody in the game. He has the respect in the clubhouse. He is a diligent worker and he is a loyal employee."
Although the Nationals finished with baseball's worst record (59-103) last season, they showed signs of life in the second half when Riggleman took over for Manny Acta, ending the season on a seven-game winning streak. Riggleman has led the Nats to a 42-54 mark this year, after signing a contract with the team in the offseason. As Kilgore clarifies, while Riggleman's contract is for two years with a 2012 option, only one year was guaranteed.
Riggles is an idiot. Rizzo, what the hell are you doing. No freaking pointing to your head on this one. Riggles is an ass clown. Horrible manager.
Evidence? I know there is some, just curious to hear what yours is. I’m certainly not a big Riggleman fan, but I can understand why they’re doing this now. Things have gone south in a hurry for the Nationals since they’re 20-15 peak. Post trade deadline, they may begin hanging their heads and performance could suffer. Committing to this now helps strengthen Riggleman’s position with his clubhouse.
His assets: steady personality, local ties, and willingness to focus on fundamentals. His weaknesses: too much loyalty to veterans, too much small ball and too many defensive substitutions.
The other aspect to this is that it will show future managerial candidates that the Washington Nationals are not trigger happy and are inclined to give you at least two years to show you what you can do. Save the money for the higher profile manager until later. Are there really any breakout candidates who could do a drastically better job? Nationals are held back mostly by injury problems and out machines at key positions. Give him a chance to see what he can do with a roster whose best pitcher over the full year isn’t Livan Hernandez (who is having a solid year and has pitched both Nationals complete games this year).