The Washington Nationals are finalizing a deal to hire Blake Butera as their next manager, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday morning.
At 33, Butera will be the youngest manager in Major League Baseball since the Minnesota Twins hired Frank Quilici in 1972, per reports.
The Nationals have yet to confirm the news.
Butera was named the Tampa Bay Rays’ senior director of player development in October 2023 after one year as an assistant field coordinator. He spent four seasons as a minor league manager, compiling a 258-144 record with four first-place finishes.
The Nationals fired manager Dave Martinez as well as president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo on July 6. Rizzo had been with the organization since its move to D.C. and served as the GM since 2009.
Former Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni was hired in late September to replace Rizzo as president of baseball operations.
Washington interim skipper Miguel Cairo reportedly was among those who interviewed for the manager position.
The Nationals finished 66-96 and last in the National League East this season. They haven’t reached the postseason since winning the World Series in 2019.
