Nationals' Martinez expected to return as manager after disappointing 2018

The Washington Nationals sit seven games back in the National League East with a 69-70 record. The postseason seems highly unlikely, and star outfielder Bryce Harper is about to hit free agency for the first time.

General manager Mike Rizzo isn't laying the blame at the feet of first-year manager Davey Martinez, though. It appears that Martinez will be back as the bench boss for 2019.

"I haven't considered any other scenario," Rizzo said.

Additionally, Rizzo doesn't see an underwhelming 2018 as an excuse to jump-start a rebuild. Instead, he expects the team to add pieces in free agency to compete in 2019.

"The core is in place to have a championship club," Rizzo told Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

The Nationals traded star infielder Daniel Murphy and southpaw Gio Gonzalez in August, but with Harper the team's only high-profile impending free agent, the bulk of the lineup will remain intact. And there's still a chance Harper re-signs.

Still, this season will be categorized as a disappointment for the Nationals, who entered 2018 as the favorites to win the NL East with eyes locked on championship contention.