Nationals, Davey Johnson still in negotiations

As most of the teams on the hunt for new managers are at or near the end of their searches, the Washington Nationals – owners of 2012’s best record -- have still yet to decide whether they will retain incumbent manager Davey Johnson, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

It has gone overlooked because the expectation remains Davey Johnson will return next season. But the unusual, potentially uneasy situation has not changed: It is November, and the Washington Nationals do not have a manager under contract for the 2013 season.

The Nationals and Johnson continue to work toward a deal that would give both sides what they want – Johnson back in the dugout for his third year and second full season with the Nationals.

But no deal has been reached or finalized.

Johnson is under contract as an advisor with the club through 2014, but changes to the language and details of the deal needs to be agreed upon before he will return as manager next season.

Neither Johnson nor general manager Mike Rizzo have offered any details on the status of current negotiations, but Kilgore speculates that the delay in bringing Johnson back could spell trouble. Johnson has parted ways with four other teams in past, once being let go by the Orioles the day after he was named Manager of the Year.