Manny Acta was the Nationals' manager for all of six days when his best player, Washington's top run producer, bolted via free agency.

How was your first week at work?

All-star left fielder Alfonso Soriano finalized an eight-year $136 million deal with the Cubs yesterday by taking a physical in Chicago, news that was jarring but not surprising to Acta.

"Once Alfonso reached the open market I thought our chances were very, very slim," Acta said. "It doesn't go with the plan we have here. Despite having Sori here last year, we finished dead last [in the National League East]. As good a player as he is, and I wish him the best, I think our biggest need is pitching."

Acta, 37, was hired a week ago to succeed Frank Robinson, and sorting through what's left in Soriano's wake will be chief among his first duties.

Pitching is an obvious need, but filling Soriano's big shoes will also be among Acta's top priorities when the Nationals begin their third spring training three months from now.

Count Ryan Church, oft-injured Alex Escobar and rookie Kory Casto among the candidates to replace Soriano, who batted .277 with 119 runs scored, 95 RBIs, 46 homers and 41 steals.

"We'll throw him [Casto] out there and let him compete and hopefully one of those guys will stand out," Acta said.

Each player has their plusses and minuses.

Church has been productive the last two seasons, batting .282 with 19 homers and 76 RBIs in 462 at-bats spanning the last two years, but he's been inconsistent. Brandon Watson beat him out for the center field job out of spring training last year, and Church spent time in Triple-A New Orleans and Double-A Harrisburg.

At the organization's request, Church had planned to play winter ball in Mexico to work on hitting curveballs and offspeed pitches, but he has not done so.

Escobar has flashed plenty of promise, but he's never made it through a full season without an injury. His season ended in August when he had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

That leaves Casto, who has been the Nationals' minor league Player of the Year the last two seasons.