The Nationals have been looking for a manager since Sept. 28 when they told Frank Robinson that he would not be retained for the 2007 season, and the search may last awhile. The team is willing to wait until December to name a replacement. "[It's a] long, thorough, detailed process that might not conclude until the Winter Meetings," said a person familiar with Washington's search. The Nationals have interviewed Astros bench coach Cecil Cooper, White Sox third-base coach Joey Cora, former Marlins skipper Joe Girardi, Lou Piniella, Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton and Yankees first-base coch Tony Pena, and they are set to interview Mets third-base coach Manny Acta soon. Cooper and Cora have been told already they are no longer candidates, and Piniella is now the manager of the Cubs. Pena, who is currently in the Dominican Republic, said this week that he talked to Natonals general manager Jim Bowden once and that was by phone.