Tom Herr is no longer with the Washington Nationals.

The manager, who spent one season running the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, has left the organization to pursue other interests.

"We kind of parted ways," Herr said. "They indicated to me they were not going to renew my contract and I indicated to them I wanted to look around if they weren't going to give me the Double-A job."

When Herr left the Lancaster Barnstormers in December, his goal was to manage at the Double-A level or higher. He took the job in Hagerstown hoping he would be promoted to the Harrisburg Senators after one season.

It didn't work out that way. Herr will officially become a free agent when his contract with the Nationals expires at the end of October.

This leads to an obvious question: Could Herr return to the Barnstormers?

"That's an option," he said. "The cool part about the Atlantic League is the manager is playing to win every day. That's fun. There's a lot more strategy involved."

The Barnstormers' managerial chair is momentarily in limbo. Rick Wise is filling the role on an interim basis. The pitching coach took over after Frank Klebe was fired in July.

Herr and team president Jon Danos discussed the Hempfield native's possible return during a game last week. There is mutual interest.

"Obviously he's a strong candidate," Danos said. "He learned a lot not only during his time here but while with the Nationals organization. The success he's had speaks for itself."

Hagerstown finished with a 55-81 record under Herr's guidance, but the Nationals' organization is thin on prospects and many of the Suns' best players were promoted during the season.

Herr was always a perfect fit in the Atlantic League. The former big leaguer is a good judge of talent and is well-suited to manage a team comprised mostly of minor-league veterans.

In his two seasons with the Barnstormers, Herr posted a 139-127 record. He led Lancaster to the championship in October.

So, why wouldn't he return?

Herr still aspires to reach the major leagues as either a manager or coach. Coming back to the Atlantic League would move him further from that goal.

"That's the dilemma," Herr said.

"If I get to the point where that's my best option, then I will have to be comfortable with it. There are a lot worse things I could be doing, that's for sure. This was a great situation for me. It's a very competitive league with a lot of good players."

The Barnstormers' on-field fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the worse since Herr left. After finishing 75-51 last season, they are 55-67 this summer. They had a losing record in both halves and were never seriously in contention.

When Herr resigned to join Hagerstown last year, the Barnstormers immediately promoted Klebe from third base coach to manager. The next skipper won't be named as quickly.

"It is a very important hire," Danos said. "We're always looking for the right formula. We want to get it right, which is why we want to take time and go through the process perhaps quite deliberately."

Herr will spend the next few weeks pursuing a job with a big-league organization. Although his hope is to land in Double-A or Triple-A somewhere, he'll accept an A-ball offer if the situation is right.

"I have to tell you I'm not real optimistic," Herr said. "It's tough for an outsider to come in and not only get a job, but a high level job. That's almost unheard of. I'm going to need to get lucky."

If Herr doesn't get lucky, there's a chance he and his hometown team will be reunited. It has the makings of an ideal situation for both sides.

Herr is looking for a job.

The Barnstormers are looking for someone to make them a winner again.

CONTACT US: jguarente@LNPnews.com or 291-8777