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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said this afternoon the team will have an announcement on its 2012 manager in the next few days. And when he does make that announcement, it seems likely he'll reveal the Nationals will begin next year with the same manager they had for the final three months of the 2011 season: Davey Johnson.
In a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Rizzo said the team has conducted all of its interviews for its 2012 managerial search, and is just waiting for the World Series to end to make an announcement on who will manage the team next season. Rizzo also said that Davey Johnson has been in contact with the Nationals' coaching staff throughout the offseason, and the team will also announce the 2012 coaching staff after the World Series.
But based on that, it seems likely - as it has all offseason - that Johnson will return to manage the team in 2012. Johnson would stay in the organization even if he wasn't returning as the manager, but he probably wouldn't be in contact with the coaching staff if he wasn't planning on being back.
The 68-year-old came out of retirement to take over for Jim Riggleman in June, and was talking by the end of the season about coming back for a full year in 2012. On the last day of the season in Florida, Johnson said, ""I didn't plan on starting this job, but when I start something, I like to finish it. We haven't finished anything yet."
Rizzo would not say whether the Nationals interviewed third base coach Bo Porter or Triple-A Syracuse manager Randy Knorr for the managerial opening, though it was widely suspected both men would get interviews.
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