Nationals to interview Cubs bench coach Martinez for managerial job

The Washington Nationals have reached out to Chicago Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez for their managerial opening and he is slated to interview for the job, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Martinez, 53, has interviewed for several managerial vacancies since at least 2010 and was a candidate for the Nationals' gig in 2013 when Washington ended up hiring Matt Williams. Two years later, the Nationals fired Williams and hired Dusty Baker after negotiations with Bud Black fell apart. Baker signed a two-year deal and won consecutive National League East Division titles, but lost in Game 5 of the National League division series both seasons - this year to Martinez's Cubs.

Baker was informed he wasn't returning for a third campaign on Friday morning - a week into the offseason - which sent the Nationals in search of their sixth manager since 2009.

A former outfielder and first baseman, the bilingual Martinez played 16 seasons in the majors. He has served as Joe Maddon's bench coach since the 2008 season, first with the Rays before joining him in Chicago on the Cubs bench in 2015. The Cubs advanced to the National League championship series in each of the three seasons under the regime, winning the franchise's first World Series in 108 years in 2016.