WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals are sticking with Jim Riggleman, dropping his interim tag and making him their manager for 2010, two people in baseball familiar with the team's plans told The Associated Press yesterday.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team was planning a news conference for today.

Riggleman was promoted from bench coach to interim manager in July, replacing the fired Manny Acta. The Nationals were 26-61 (a .299 winning percentage) at the time and went 33-42 (.440) under Riggleman, finishing with a major league-worst record of 59-103.

Clearly, this is a rebuilding — or as general manager Mike Rizzo prefers to say, "building" — team, and the Nationals apparently appreciated the signs of progress that came in the second half of 2009.

From the outset of Washington's managerial search, Rizzo made clear that Riggleman had a strong shot at the permanent job, calling him a "legitimate candidate" in late September.

MEETING

NO NEWS WITH GMS

General managers grabbed their bags, caught a quick lunch and headed down the corridor a short distance to their flights yesterday after their annual meeting ended in a Chicago hotel at O'Hare International Airport.

No trades were announced during the three-day session.

"It's the same thing every year at this time of year," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "There is nothing to report."

GMs met with their counterparts and also greeted agents looking to lay the groundwork for free-agent deals after those players can start negotiating money with all teams on Nov. 20.

MARINERS

GRIFFEY JR. RETURNS

Junior's back in Seattle, one more time.

Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners agreed yesterday to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in town for what could be his final season.

Griffey, who turns 40 on Nov. 21, was guaranteed $2 million when he signed to return to Seattle for the 2009 season and had the chance to earn more in bonuses.

"The framework of this year's contract is similar to last year's," Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, said by telephone.

It is believed Griffey will get a slightly higher base salary, with fewer incentives based upon plate appearances and Mariners home attendance.

RED SOX

VARITEK USES OPTION

Catcher Jason Varitek exercised his $3 million option to stay with the Boston Red Sox yesterday, choosing to remain as a backup to Victor Martinez rather than become a free agent.

Boston declined to exercise its $5 million club option on Monday, and Varitek then had two days to decide whether to exercise his player option at the lower price.

The 37-year-old Varitek was Boston's starting catcher for nine of 10 seasons through 2008. He was the regular last season until Boston obtained Martinez from the Cleveland Indians in a trade on July 31.

Boston exercised a $7.7 million club option for Martinez on Monday.