Plenty of options for Nationals to consider 

Jim Riggleman shocked the baseball world Thursday when he abruptly resigned as manager of the Washington Nationals. Earlier in the day, Riggleman told team vice president and general manager Mike Rizzo that if his 2012 club option was not exercised by the conclusion of the game, he would step down.

The Nationals defeated the Seattle Mariners 1-0 behind the combined shutout pitching of Jason Marquis and Tyler Clippard. The Nats have won 11 of their past 12 games and 16 of their past 21 and are in third place in the National League East. The team is 38-37, which marks its best record this late in a season since 2005, when Frank Robinson was the team’s manager. When Riggleman walked into his office after the game, Rizzo explained that the club was not prepared to exercise the contract option at this time. Riggleman then resigned. Rizzo tried to talk him out of it, but to no avail.

Rizzo then told the media he was disappointed that Riggleman is letting the team down and putting himself first, going as far as calling him “selfish.” Just last week, Rizzo told reporters the Nationals played hard for all 27 outs under Riggleman.

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