DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM

The Nationals appear to have chosen Diamondbacks executive Jerry DiPoto as their new general manager.

DiPoto has told friends in Arizona that he plans to accept the job, which opened when Jim Bowden resigned under pressure this spring. Mike Rizzo has been serving as acting general manager, and Rizzo was one of three final candidates for the job, along with DiPoto and Red Sox assistant Jed Hoyer, according to sources.

It's not certain how soon the Nationals intend to finalize their deal with DiPoto, or how soon he would be announced as the new GM.

"[DiPoto] will be a heck of a pick, but what hasn't [Rizzo] done to earn the opportunity to stay?" said one National League executive who knows both men.

The 41-year-old Dipoto, who pitched in the major leagues for eight seasons, has spent the last four years in the Diamondbacks front office, most recently as vice president, player personnel. He came close to getting the Mariners GM job last winter, apparently losing out after telling the M's he wanted to bring Pat Gillick in as a consultant.

"He has great people skills," said one person who knows DiPoto. "He has everything you look for in a manager of people. And he has a great feel for the game. He's a solid evaluator. He also has a charismatic personality that you just can't walk away from -- and it's real, unlike some in this game."

The Nationals decision was reported earlier by Yahoo Sports.

gotribe Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 26, 2007	Posted on: August 19, 2009 11:09 am Score: 73 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM Don't they proof read before theyt post articles. He is 41 years old not 31 as article indicates. [ Reply to Comment ]
mjhoya Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 6, 2007	Posted on: August 19, 2009 11:19 am Score: 115 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM I hope Uncle Ted and StanK don't expect Rizzo to stick around as DiPoto's assistant. Here they are basically saying, "Nice work getting the roster back to a respectable level, adding some building blocks in the draft and getting Strasburg signed ... now, move over so this guy with no experience can start over." With all the things this ownership group has done that hasn't made me want to bail on this ballclub, this one comes the closest. Hire Mike Rizzo! [ Reply to Comment ]
JeffSmoker Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 11, 2007	Posted on: August 19, 2009 12:44 pm Score: 102 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM Agreed. DiPoto may have done well with the D-Backs but Rizzo was an instrumental part in their early success. He has done a great job since taking over the Bowden mess. I definitely think he deserves a shot. Sounds like the Stan and the Lerners are taking a page out of the Danny's book, hire the name. Hope DiPoto, if he gets the job, works out but I think Rizzo has more than earned his shot. [ Reply to Comment ]
dankthetank Reputation: 1 Level: Amateur Since: Aug 11, 2009	Posted on: August 19, 2009 1:11 pm Score: 57 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM Absolutely. This was Rizzo's job to have. What did he have to do to get it? I'll be interested in where Rizzo goes after this because that team will definitely benefit from his smarts as a GM. Thank You Mike Rizzo for all you have done over the past few months. Well deserved and I am sorry you didnt get the job. [ Reply to Comment ]
KnoxvilleIrish Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 25, 2006	Posted on: August 19, 2009 2:01 pm Score: 89 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM From what I'm hearing from an "inside source" the Lerners have very little input in this decision but rather it has Stan Kasten's fingerprints all over it, just like the leaking of Manny Acta's firing...all on Stan K. Maybe this is part of "The Plan"? Sorry but IMHO Rizzo has demonstrated his capabilities for the position as GM and there is no need to go to AZ or anywhere else to fill the job. Just do it Stan....make Rizzo the man!! [ Reply to Comment ]
bender Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 24, 2006	Posted on: August 19, 2009 2:20 pm Score: 68 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM when you look at the state of the d-backs, you really have to wonder what this guy did to land the job. that minor league system is barren and the current club, webb injury aside, is pretty hopeless. [ Reply to Comment ]
ejs1111 Reputation: 83 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 3, 2008	Posted on: August 19, 2009 2:46 pm Score: 135 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM I will be stunned and disappointed if they don't hire Rizzo on a permanent basis. He has done a solid job since taking over for the half-wit Bowden. Does everyone realize that DiPoto's current job was RIZZO's at the D'Backs before Riz came here? Rizzo was doing Di's current job- and made the D'Backs farm system one of the best, while the team itself was a playoff team. I just don't understand how they think the 'student' can possibly be better than 'teacher' [ Reply to Comment ]
C Perks Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: Sep 2, 2008	Posted on: August 19, 2009 4:31 pm Score: 81 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM The 'Student' has years of Major League Pitching experience and a World Series Ring working in the Red Sox front office. Dipoto is an awesome pick and perfect for the Nats... Rizzo was around when all those horrible Bowden decisions. [ Reply to Comment ]
Rau7102 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 13, 2009	Posted on: August 19, 2009 8:38 pm Score: 86 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM Good point. Playing experance is the most qualifing thing when picking a front office job, right Isiah Thomas? This guy was Rizzo's back up, meaning he couldn't beat Rizzo out before, why can he now? The D'Backs have been downhill since Rizzo left, so lets hire the guy who took his job! [ Reply to Comment ]
Arlington614 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Aug 19, 2009	Posted on: August 19, 2009 10:39 pm Score: 90 DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM Wow, awesome inside reporting especially since the Nats are going to name Rizzo the official GM. See: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com /news/article.jsp?ymd=20090819&content_id=6507838&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was It's amazing how what once was reporting based on fact is now reporting based on speculation shrouded in half-truths. I also liked how Knobler came onto DC area sports radio to spout this nonsense. Was this story so insanely hot that you had to make a false conjecture about who the new GM was? It couldn't wait one day? [ Reply to Comment ]

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