A solid candidate for Listach's replacement

by Phil Wood

With the departure of coach Pat Listach to the Cubs, where will the Nationals turn for a new third base coach?

Jim Riggleman has been around the game for a long time, as has GM Mike Rizzo. There's a plethora of potential candidates out there, including several former big league managers, and others who were in the mix for some of the managerial openings this fall.

I can't begin to know what their criteria is for filling the slot, but a couple of different NL scouts tell me the likely choice will be Bo Porter.

Porter, who was let go by Arizona at season's end after serving as their third base coach, and later, bench coach, after Kirk Gibson replaced A.J. Hinch as manager. Prior to that he'd been on the Marlins' staff under Fredi Gonzalez, coaching third base and handling outfield and baserunning instruction.

Here's the other thing about Porter: he played for Jim Riggleman with the 1999 Chicago Cubs. Porter's big league playing career was brief, just 89 games split between the Cubs, A's and Rangers, resulting in a .214 average, with 2 home runs and 8 RBI. Nothing to brag about, but for a 40th round draft pick, it was a longshot that he got there in the first place.

Porter was a candidate for the Marlins job before they opted for Edwin Rodriguez. He's managed and coached in the minor leagues, he's extremely well respected, and he's available.

As a caveat, I'll admit that scouts don't bat 1.000, but a lot about this rumor rings pretty solidly.