Gibson, Showalter endorse Williams as future manager

PHOENIX -- D-backs third-base coach Matt Williams nearly got the Rockies' managerial job last offseason, and he figures to be a hot candidate for a job again.

There have been multiple reports, in fact, that Williams will be a top candidate for the Nationals' managerial position, which is expected to come open when Davey Johnson retires following the season.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson has spoken highly of Williams' potential as a manager, and a former skipper of Williams chimed in this week as well.

"If you think about some of the people he has played for, I mean, golly," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who managed Williams in Arizona from 1998-2000. "There's not much more you can have on your resume than he does. He's a sharp guy, but he's also a funny guy, a lot of people don't realize the sense of humor he has. It was a pleasure and an honor to manage him."

Williams managed in the Arizona Fall League last year and also spent part of a season managing the D-backs' Double-A Mobile team in 2007.

"I'm impressed with him at third base; he does a good job there," Showalter said. "That's one of those guys that will figure out whatever he needs to figure out. He's a student. He'll be a good one."