Report: Nationals to hire Matt Williams as manager

The Nationals reportedly plan to hire Matt Williams as their next manager. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Nationals

The Nationals reportedly plan to hire Matt Williams as their next manager. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Nationals are planning to hire former major leaguer Matt Williams as their next manager. The Nats reportedly also want to retain Randy Knorr as their bench coach.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reported Thursday Williams was the front-runner to replace Davey Johnson who retired last month.

Williams was third base coach for the Diamondbacks in 2013. He played 17 seasons, including a stint as the Diamondbacks third baseman when current Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was Arizona's scouting director.

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Ladson reports Rizzo was impressed by the way Williams managed the Salt River Rafters to the finals of the Arizona Fall League last year.