Report: Davey Johnson has new deal

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The Washington Nationals and Davey Johnson have agreed on a one-year deal for 2013, after which Johnson plans to retire from managing, MLB.com reported, citing a source.

General manager Mike Rizzo confirmed Thursday night that a deal was near.

Johnson

According to The Washington Post, Rizzo, speaking from the general managers' meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., said the new contract was to be finished "soon."

"I'm thinking any time now," Rizzo said at the hotel where the meetings were being held, according to the Post.

Johnson, 69, who was under contract with the Nationals as a consultant for 2013 and '14, had said he would be patient as negotiations continued.

"Is there some unfinished business? Yeah, there's some unfinished business," he told the Post last month. "But that'll be up to ownership. That ball is in their court. I don't have a bad feeling, and I don't mind waiting until November like last year."

The Nationals' season ended in historic fashion as they became the first team in baseball history to blow a lead of more than four runs en route to losing a winner-take-all postseason game. Washington led the Cardinals 6-0 early in Game 5 of the National League Division Series and then 7-5 with two outs in the ninth inning before eventually losing 9-7, as closer Drew Storen failed to shut the door on the defending World Series champions.

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