Nats Have Not Contacted Selig
The Washington Nationals, contrary to a published report, have neither requested nor been granted approval from Commissioner Bud Selig to forgo a rule that would require them to consider minority candidates for a general manager opening, a Major League Baseball spokesman said today.
Such a request could indicate the team is taking steps to replace General Manager Jim Bowden, whose job has been jeopardized by his role in an ongoing FBI investigation into the skimming of Latin American prospects' signing bonuses.
If the Nationals were to replace Bowden, they would be faced with a job opening at an unusual time and would want to expedite the process of filling it. Still, a league source said the team would be expected to adhere to league-mandated guidelines for considering minority candidates, should they decide to go outside the organization for a permanent hire, but would be allowed to appoint an interim GM from within the organization without following those guidelines.
By
Chico Harlan
|
February 25, 2009; 8:39 PM ET
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Posted by: Offense-offensive | February 25, 2009 8:43 PM | Report abuse
new post, already.
Posted by: leetee1955 | February 25, 2009 9:09 PM | Report abuse
Sorry, but I don't believe it. Spokespeople don't have to be honest. The Nats' are Selig's team, they're on his shoulders and he needs to cover his @$$. Special circumstances, and as we get closer to the regular season they need to make a move.
Posted by: AnonymousSources | February 25, 2009 9:30 PM | Report abuse
Isn't it kind of bad form to not have a link to the "published report", or at least tell us where it is?
Posted by: Uncle_Teddy | February 25, 2009 10:17 PM | Report abuse
Baseballprospectus.com
Posted by: AnonymousSources | February 25, 2009 10:22 PM | Report abuse
It's not a question of if Bowden will be fired, it's just a matter of when. Clearly it's less of a headache for all involved to send him packing, say, during a team slump in May than to do it during Spring Training when reporters are dying for stories and can spend more time analyzing why management/ownership made bad previous decisions. Bowden has simply embarrassed the Lerners and Kasten too many times without good results on the field. And it's doubtful any other organization will allow him to continue working on his dream of rebuilding the 2001 Reds. (I see Kearns left 5 on base yesterday.) Getting ol' Bud to waive the minority hiring provision will take a 30-second phone call when it's time to tap Mike Rizzo. Even this item by Chico shows why it will be easier to dump Jimbo once the team comes north.
Posted by: UrbanShocker | February 26, 2009 5:54 AM | Report abuse
Gosh, if you can't trust anonymous sources, then who can you trust?
Posted by: natsfan1a1 | February 26, 2009 9:03 AM | Report abuse
*whom*
Posted by: natsfan1a1 | February 26, 2009 9:04 AM | Report abuse
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Ugh. It seems like a forgone conclusion at this point- why do they have to drag this out? Just fire Bowden already.