Source: Nats' candidate list grows with Wotus

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' search for a new manager will continue next week, when the club plans to interview Giants bench coach Ron Wotus on Monday, according to a baseball source.

The Nationals are looking to hire their sixth full-time manager after relieving Matt Williams of his duties last week. The team has already interviewed Phil Nevin, Dusty Baker and Bud Black this week. The Nationals also plan to interview Ron Gardenhire next week.

Wotus is one of five people -- Larry Jansen, Bob Lillis, Dave Righetti and Wes Westrum are the others -- since 1900 to serve as a Giants coach for at least 10 years. Wotus joined the Giants in 1998 as Baker's third-base coach.

Wotus is considered an infield defensive specialist who has helped players such as third baseman Matt Duffy and shortstop Brandon Crawford become Gold Glove Award-caliber infielders.

Wotus also has managerial experience in the Minor Leagues. He was manager in the Giants' farm system from 1991-97 and had a 554-412 record. His teams made the playoffs in six of his seven years as skipper.

Worth noting
Former Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr, who is a senior assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo, was listed as a candidate to interview for the Nationals' managerial opening, but the team has not contacted him -- yet. The same can be said for Alex Cora, who was considered a manager-in-waiting while playing for the Nationals in 2011. Cora was considered a mentor for Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa. The Nationals once offered Cora a coaching job in the Minor Leagues after the '11 season, but Cora kept playing and signed with the Cardinals.