Could former Washington Nationals general manager and POBO Mike Rizzo land elsewhere in 2027?
Could a former Washington Nationals manager find his way back into the major leagues? According to one report, that's now a realistic possibility.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that former Washington Nationals president of baseball operation and general manager Mike Rizzo was among the candidates who interviewed with the Athletics for the vacant general manager position.
Rizzo was also named alongside longtime Athletics assistant general manager Billy Owens for the position, making this the first known position that he has been linked to since his tenure with the Nationals came to an end. It may not be long until Rizzo learns whether he lands the job as USA Today noted that the hope is a hire is made prior to the end of the regular season, set to come to an end on Sept. 27.
Rizzo's stint with the Nationals ended after nearly two decades with the organization, first arriving as the assistant general manager in 2007 before being promoted to general manager just two seasons later. He was then named president of baseball operations in addition to his general manager title where he oversaw the 2019 World Series championship team, but also the downfall in the immediate seasons with six consecutive losing seasons to show for it.
Prior to arriving in Washington, Rizzo began his executive career as an amateur scout with the Chicago White Sox before moving on to the Boston Red Sox then Arizona Diamondbacks. He was then promoted to Arizona's scouting director in 2000 where he spent seven seasons with the organization.
The Athletics, meanwhile, are closing the book on their fifth consecutive losing season with a chance at eclipsing 90 losses for the fourth time over the last five years with plenty of work cut out for a franchise still awaiting its permanent stadium in Las Vegas scheduled to open in 2028.
The Nationals, meanwhile, turned to the Boston Red Sox to pluck Paul Toboni as the new president of baseball operations to replace Rizzo's role to usher in a new era of baseball to the organization. Blake Butera was then hired nearly five weeks later with Washington now putting the finishing touches on a season that has ended on a sour note, yet still surpassed preseason expectations.
Washington is enjoying one of the final off days of the regular season before hosting the Philadelphia Phillies for a two game series beginning Tuesday with a chance at the first four game win streak since winning five straight between June 12 - 16.
