The Washington Nationals are finalizing a deal to hire 33-year-old Blake Butera as manager, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced. The Nationals fired Dave Martinez in July, and Miguel Cairo took over on an interim basis.

Butera would be the youngest manager since Minnesota's Frank Quilici in 1972 according to ESPN, which first reported Butera’s hiring.

Washington has had six straight losing seasons since Martinez managed them to the 2019 World Series title. The Nationals went 66-96 this year.

Washington also fired president and general manager Mike Rizzo in July. Paul Toboni is the team's new president of baseball operations.

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AP National Writer Howar

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