Major League Baseball

Report: Nationals choose Rizzo as new GM

Published Aug. 20, 2009 3:44 a.m. ET

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The Nationals will name Mike Rizzo as their permanent general manager on Thursday, according to a report on the team's website.




Team president Stan Kasten did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment on Wednesday night.

Rizzo has been the team's acting GM since March, when Jim Bowden resigned. He made a case to keep the job permanently with a number of sound decisions in recent weeks, including the acquisition of Nyjer Morgan and trade of first baseman Nick Johnson to Florida.

Perhaps most importantly, Rizzo was involved in the signing of No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg earlier this week. The agreement with Strasburg, which included a $15.1 million guarantee, was viewed as a victory for the Nationals by many in the industry.

It's very possible that ownership views Rizzo more favorably now that Strasburg has signed.

Rizzo's appointment would represent the conclusion to a dizzying series of events over the past week. For several days, many people within the industry had expected Diamondbacks executive Jerry DiPoto to get the job.

Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer also interviewed for the vacancy.

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