Manny Acta

Ever since the Washington Nationals settled in the nation's capitol in 2005, the franchise has consistently been the laughing stock of the National League East, and at times even the entire Major Leagues.

After a quick start in 2005 that placed the Nationals first in the NL East at the halfway mark, their downward spiral began, and so did their constant struggles.

The team has never finished higher than fourth in the division and has only won more than 80 games once.

Conducting his second television interview in as many days, Manny Acta sat on the set of All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan knowing full well he was about to drop a bombshell.

The idea was brought up in the past few weeks and was even denied by Mets general anager Omar Minaya. However, when push came to shove, the idea was about to become a reality much to the delight of the entire city of Cleveland.

This past Sunday, the Indians hired Manny Acta as their new manager. Former Washington Nationals skipper Acta was signed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2013.

The Acta hiring has received a mix of cheers and jeers. Some say Acta's reputation as an excellent handler of young players makes him a perfect fit, while others question the ability of a manager whose team lost more games than the Tribe did last year.

Breaking news at this hour as FOXSports.com is reporting the Washington Nationals are set to announce the termination of manager Manny Acta's contract, potentially allowing bench coach Jim Riggleman to become head coach.

The reports are unconfirmed however, as team sources are stating Riggleman has not been told he is taking over the job, even going as far as mentioning that Acta has not been dismissed from his position on the team.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Washington Nationals are going to fire their manager Manny Acta. Acta, in his second season with Washington, led the Nationals to 101 losses, and has the Nationals off to a shameful start this season.

According to Rosenthal, Acta could be fired as early as Monday.

Acta was hired by the Nationals on November 14, 2006, in his first major league managerial stint, replacing Frank Robinson. He did a passable job in 2007, leading the Nationals to a 73-89 record, and a fourth place finish, a step down from their 81-81 record of 2006.

Some teams that are bad have a visible lack of talent.

They flounder around the bases and field, and lack the communication skills necessary to mesh together as an effective unit.

The Washington Nationals, however, do not display these characteristics.

The Nats have an extremely talented outfield, with Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, and Adam Dunn patrolling right through left respectively.