Washington Nationals more likely for Willie than Yanks--Ken Davidoff

• Ken Davidoff doesn't see Willie Randolph going to the Yankees but in line for the equally wacky scene at the Washington Nationals:

(Newsday): "Midweek Insider has learned that the Nationals, who fired five coaches upon the conclusion of the 2008 season, are interested in hiring Randolph as either (Manny) Acta's bench coach or third-base coach....

• And that would be a situation fraught with irony. For during Randolph's three-plus years leading the Mets, it was
• Acta who served as his greatest threat.

Acta coached third base under Randolph in 2005 and 2006, and everyone knew Acta was Omar Minaya's hire, rather than Randolph's.

• When Acta left the Mets to manage Washington, he

• maintained such a good relationship with the Mets that team officials have

• often lined up to hug him prior to Mets-Nationals games.

Tony Bernazard, the Mets' diabolical vice president of development, spent far more time speaking with Acta than he did with Randolph and

• even praised Acta's managing skills to a Washington Post reporter....

Don't bet on Randolph replacing Bobby Meacham as the Yankees' third-base coach. While the Steinbrenner family likes Randolph, and Randolph would like to return to the Bronx,

• neither Brian Cashman nor Joe Girardi would support such a move. And Cashman, armed with his new, three-year deal, still seems to have enough power to make sure Randolph heads elsewhere."...

(sparing everyone constant speculation about Willie taking over Girardi's job...) sm

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