The Nationals have apparently decided to stick with manager Manny Acta — for now. Monday’s day off would have been an appropriate time to make a change, allowing Acta to return home to the District to pack up his office and a new manager — likely bench coach Jim Riggleman — time to settle in before a three-game series begins tonight in New York against the Yankees.
But the front office has decided to wait — a curious move considering no one in charge has offered a corresponding statement of support since team president Stan Kasten spoke with the media on Saturday.
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Instead, Acta, 25 players and a coaching staff are left in limbo for another few days. Managerial changes are rare in the middle of a series and the Nats don’t return to the District until Friday night when they begin a six-game homestand.
One thing is clear: There is some indecision amongst the Nats’ top officials. Ted Lerner, the team’s managing principal owner, was traveling out of the country late last week. It is unknown what affect his absence had on the process. Kasten briefly accompanied the Nats to Tampa Bay over the weekend and then met the team again in New York on Monday. But the lack of a move begs another question: What happens if the Nats actually perform well against the Yankees this week and how long a reprieve will Acta get?
