Cleveland, OH -- (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians named Manny Acta as the team's new manager Sunday, signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for 2013.

The former Nationals manager was selected over former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and Indians minor league manager Torey Lovullo. Acta will become the 40th manager in team history.

"I am very excited to become part of the Cleveland Indians family," Acta said. "I look forward to working with this talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work. I believe we will grow together as a team with the ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Cleveland and its fans."

Acta compiled a 158-252 record with the Nationals in two-plus seasons, having been hired by the club in 2007. At the time of his dismissal on July 13 of this season, Washington was a league-worst 26-61.

The 40-year-old Acta never reached the majors in his playing career, but did play six seasons of minor league baseball in the Astros organization, where he had been a candidate for their current managerial opening. Acta had served as a coach with both the Expos and Mets before landing the job with the Nationals.

"We are very excited to have Manny Acta as our Major League manager," said team general manager Mark Shapiro. "After speaking with an impressive array of candidates, we feel that Manny is a very strong and experienced leader who possesses great energy and enthusiasm along with tremendous communication skills and a positive mindset that will command a presence in the dugout, clubhouse and with our fans."

The hiring of Acta was made possible after the Indians fired Eric Wedge following a 65-97 campaign in 2009 -- the worst season of Wedge's seven-year tenure with the club. Wedge led the team to only one playoff appearance in his time with the Indians and had the team one win away from the World Series in 2007 before squandering a 3-1 ALCS lead to the Red Sox.