Jim Riggleman Resigns: Top 10 Replacements for Washington Nationals Manager

Thursday afternoon’s stunning announcement by Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman that he was abruptly resigning as manager of the Nats took nearly everyone by surprise, especially considering the Nats have won 11 of their last 12 games and are now one game above .500.

However, as little bits of news keep surfacing, it appears that relations between Riggleman and Washington GM Mike Rizzo have been strained for quite some time, and Riggleman’s insistence on having the option picked up on his contract now was met with deaf ears.

According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Riggleman approached Rizzo before today’s game and requested a discussion about his contract after the Nationals arrived in Chicago on Friday prior to the beginning of their weekend series with the Chicago White Sox.

Rizzo apparently said it was not the appropriate time to have that conversation, and Riggleman told him he would not be boarding the team bus to the airport and would resign following today’s game.

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“When is the right time, you know?” Riggleman said. “August? No. Last October is the right time. It’s been festering for me since last October, and I told Mike that when I spoke to him before.”

“I’m 58,” Riggleman added. “I’m too old to be disrespected.”

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After the game, Rizzo shot back, saying he was backed into a corner unnecessarily.

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“I felt that the time wasn’t right for me to pick up the option as of this time,” Rizzo said. “Certainly, today’s conversation, put to me in the way it was put to me, you certainly can’t make that decision in a knee-jerk reaction. It’s too big of a decision to be put in that position.”

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Riggleman was one of the lowest-paid managers in the majors, with a salary of $600,000 per season. His original contract was signed before the 2010 season for two years, with an option for 2012. Riggleman went on to say that he felt he had done more than enough to prove himself.

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“When you’re feeling like you’re perceived as part of the problem during the down times, that’s not a comfortable situation to be in,” Riggleman said. “This was not a rash decision. I love it here. I don’t know what it is about Mike or the ownership that makes them leery of putting me on the year ’12. But I’ve been doing it too long to still be trying to prove myself.”

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While there is no doubt that Thursday’s actions will be debated for quite some time, the Nationals are now in a position to find a manager, and quickly.

Here are 10 men that could possibly be considered to take over as skipper for the Washington Nationals.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter: @Sports_A_Holic.

1. John McLaren

As the current bench coach and a man who has managed in the past (Seattle Mariners, 2007-2008), John McLaren could help provide a sense of continuity amid the abrupt actions that occurred on Thursday afternoon.

McLaren would more than likely be an interim manager while GM Mike Rizzo conducts a search for a suitable long-term candidate.

Update: McLaren has just been named interim manager by the Washington Nationals, according to the Washington Times.

2. Bo Porter

Currently the third-base coach, Porter has only ever managed at the minor league level for one season, back in 2006 for the Class A-Advanced Jamestown Jammers. He has served as a bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and was considered for the open managerial positions with both the Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates following the 2010 season.

Porter would also most likely serve in an interim basis. With the arrival of both Stephen Strasburg and possibly Bryce Harper next season to join what has become a very good core group of players, Rizzo may be looking for someone with more visibility long-term.

3. Bob Boone

Former major league catcher Bob Boone is currently serving as a special assistant with the Nationals, and could be given consideration for the open managerial position.

Boone has managed both the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds in the past, and in his position as special assistant overseeing player development for the Nats, Boone could be on the same page with GM Mike Rizzo in terms of future player development and growth.

4. Chip Hale: Third-Base Coach, New York Mets

Chip Hale could be an attractive candidate for GM Mike Rizzo, who has worked with Hale in the past. Hale was manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders for three seasons, being named Pacific Coast Manager of the Year in 2006.

Familiarity means a lot in the world of baseball, and Rizzo could certainly lean on that familiarity for his next choice as manager of the Nats.

5. Ryne Sandberg: Manager, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

When the Chicago Cubs were conducting their search for the long-term replacement for Lou Piniella last season, former Cubs second baseman and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was a top candidate for the position. However, when the position was given to interim manager Mike Quade, Sandberg left the Cubs to manage the top minor league team in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

There are many who believe that Sandberg has become a superior field manager, and Rizzo could possibly come calling.

6. Joey Cora: Bench Coach, Chicago White Sox

Joey Cora has been the bench coach under Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen since 2007, and has several years of managerial experience in the New York Mets minor league system.

Cora has had the opportunity to manage the White Sox on several occasions over the years, taking over when Guillen has been suspended or taken time off for personal reasons.

7. Tim Bogar: Third-Base Coach, Boston Red Sox

At the minor league level, current Boston Red Sox third-base coach Tim Bogar has a winning percentage of over .600, and was named Eastern League Manager of the Year after leading the Double-A Akron Aeros to a league-best 87-55 record.

On three different occasions in the minors, Bogar earned Manager of the Year honors, and could be the right man to help guide a young Washington Nationals team.

8. Davey Johnson: Special Advisor, Washington Nationals

This could be a bit of a stretch, considering Davey Johnson’s age (68), however considering the Florida Marlins just hired an 80-year-old manager (Jack McKeon), Johnson could certainly be a candidate, and a very successful one at that.

Johnson has had success with three different MLB teams—guiding the New York Mets to a World Series title in 1986, leading the Cincinnati Reds to an NL Central Title in 1995 and then leading the Baltimore Orioles to a wild-card berth in 1996 and the American League East title in 1997.

Currently serving as an advisor with the Nationals, the transition wouldn’t be very traumatic in DC.

9. Terry Pendleton: First-Base Coach, Atlanta Braves

Terry Pendleton served as the Atlanta Braves hitting coach for 10 seasons before replacing Glenn Hubbard as first-base coach this season.

Pendleton’s name came up before in relation to the Washington Nationals—he was considered for the managerial post in 2006 as a candidate to replace Frank Robinson before Pendleton withdrew his name from consideration.

10. Bobby Valentine: ESPN Analyst

Bobby Valentine’s name has come up with just about every single managerial opening within the last 18 months, why should this one be any different?

Valentine understands young talent, and if GM Mike Rizzo is looking to make a splash with a big name, Valentine would be that name.