The Washington Post speculates that Bobby Valentine will be the leading candidate to replace Manny Acta as full-time manager of the Nationals.

Valentine, who managed the Mets and Rangers, is still coaching in Japan, but is not likely to return to the Chiba Lotte Marines. While Valentine is a folk hero in Japan, reports say the Marines are unable to afford his $4 million salary for another season. It would be interesting to see if the Nationals would also be interested in paying that hefty sum for a manager.

Valentine has expressed interest in returning to the United States, but declined comment when reached by the Washington Post via e-mail. Jim Riggleman is Washington’s interim manager.