WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have begun the process of looking for five new members for manager Manny Acta's coaching staff.

According to a baseball source, Acta, general manager Jim Bowden, assistant general managers Mike Rizzo and Bob Boone and team president Stan Kasten will be part of the decision-making process.

The Nationals have a long list of coaching candidates that includes people within and outside of the organization. Two baseball sources indicated that Barry Larkin and Devon White were considered as first-base coaches, but they both took themselves out of the running for that position.

White, who is the team's Minor League outfield coordinator, wants to continue to be a full-time family man. Larkin, who is an assistant to Bowden, told the media that he knows what he wants to do, but wouldn't say what it is. His contract with the Nationals is about to expire, and there was a published report indicating he would like to return to the Reds in some capacity. Larkin, who played for the Reds for 19 years, denied the report.

With Rick Eckstein promoted to the big leagues in late August, there is speculation that he will be the new hitting coach, but the Nationals declined to comment. Eckstein has become a popular figure in the Major and Minor Leagues. He is credited for teaching Ryan Langerhans how to hit again, and for getting Kory Casto back on the radar screen in the organization.

On Sunday morning, the Nationals informed all of Acta's coaches, except for pitching coach Randy St. Claire, that they would not be back for the 2009 season.

Pat Corrales was the team's bench coach, while Tim Tolman and Jerry Morales were the third-base and first-base coaches, respectively. Bullpen coach Rick Aponte and hitting coach Lenny Harris also will not be back next season.

Washington may offer Corrales and Harris other positions within the organization.