T -minus 1 week for #Nats Spring Training camp to officially open!

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Early camp on the backfields of FITTEAM in West Palm Beach; photo by Andy Ward for TalkNats

As the clock ticks towards the opening of Spring Training camp, the rumors just will not go away about the Nats attached to a marquee player. Once again Bob Nightengale is tweeting about a Kris Bryant trade and mentioned the Washington Nationals. The same people who were so wrong about the Nats and Josh Donaldson are at it again. If you believe there is a chance because there is a need, then look around because Fangraphs believes the Nationals greatest needs were at other position where the Nats are the weakest at first base (7th worst) and catcher (6th worst). Maybe the Nats should have been trying to get Brandon Belt (+2.0 WAR) in a trade with the Giants and Yasmani Grandal  (+4.9 WAR) in free agency.  Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, Roster, SpringTraining | Leave a comment

Highlights from Bob Davids Chapter SABR Day, February 1, 2020

Posted on February 4, 2020 by ArVaFan aka Laura Peebles

The annual SABR day for the largest chapter of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) had the usual array of interesting speakers. Some of their research is available on-line, so if you have a particular interest and can’t find the material, post a note below and I’ll see if I can find it. Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, Sabermetrics | Leave a comment

Davey Martinez is back to work; Final prep for West Palm Beach!

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

We are one week and two days away from the official opening of the 2020 Spring Training camp. The offseason ends and the preseason begins. There should not be many unknowns on who makes the roster, but it will be an ongoing topic as always during Spring Training. Manager Dave Martinez of the Washington Nationals and his coaching staff will put the final touches on their plans. During the disappointing 2018 Spring Training, Martinez had camels on-site. For 2019, it was more subdued. How will the 2020 camp at the FITTEAM Ballpark at the Palm Beaches be this year? Few clues have been given. Continue reading →

Posted in CoachingStaff, DaveMartinez, SpringTraining | Leave a comment

Coming off a 59-103 season and Strasburg in Viera, there was hope 10 years ago!

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

How did you feel about the Washington Nationals ten years ago? The team assembling for Spring Training in Viera, Florida was coming off of a 59-103 season. We got our first glimpse of Stephen Strasburg who was in camp, and we all knew that if Bryce Harper qualified for the draft as a seventeen year old phenom, he would be the Nats choice in the 2010 draft with the No. 1 pick. The key free agent signing that offseason was on January 6th when closer Matt Capps was signed and quickly traded for Wilson Ramos months later.  A year earlier general manager Jim Bowden resigned after Smiley-gate, and Mike Rizzo took the helm. He had already traded Ryan Langerhans for Mike Morse during the 2009 season, and you could see the makings for the 2012 roster coming together. Hope springs eternal. Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, Roster, SpringTraining | Leave a comment

Nats News & Notes | It’s February — Spring Training! Non-Roster Invitees, Awards, Standings Projections and more!

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Where will the 2019 World Series champs signage go?

We are just 11 days until Spring Training camp officially opens in West Palm Beach. Several players are moving into their Palm Beach County rental homes on two-month leases. The weather today at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is 74°F with rain, and better weather is expected for the Super Bowl tomorrow just an hour down the road in Miami. That is another reason for players to arrive early so they can attend the events. Speaking of championship games, the Nats should be adding “2019 World Series champion” signage to their side of the facility like the Astros have for their 2017 “tainted” win in multiple signage. Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, Roster, SpringTraining | Leave a comment

Zim isn’t ready to be cast for his statue just yet….

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo by Brad Mills of USA Today Sports

When you’re a free agent, you can do some of those things you always wanted to do like spending a day as a fighter pilot. For 15 years, Ryan Zimmerman never engaged in dangerous activities because that would have violated the terms of his player’s contract if he suited up on the ice for the Washington Capitals like he did recently. Zim is the original Face of the Franchise, and he earned it as a star player, leader, philanthropist, and family man. He is now a World Series champion who could have gone out on top, but he still believes he has game left in his body that has been riddled by multiple injuries. He will return for his sixteenth season.  Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, RyanZimmerman | Leave a comment

Nats trade for Harper seems like a shocking headline; Nats acquire Ryne Harper from the Twins!

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears


When you hear the name Harper in baseball and Washington, you immediately think of the guy who now plays for the Phillies, and now that name will be attached to the newly acquired right-hander Ryne Harper who was acquired from the Twins for minor leaguer Hunter McMahon. Continue reading →

Posted in MikeRizzo, Roster, SpringTraining | Leave a comment

Davey Martinez said Carter Kieboom will get a shot to be on the Opening Day roster

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

Just because last year’s top prospect Victor Robles made the Opening Day roster last year does not make it a “sure thing” that this year’s top prospect Carter Kieboom will be traveling to Citifield on March 26th for Opening Day. General manager Mike Rizzo has not added a new acquisition to make it a sure thing at third base so Kieboom seems to have a clear path. Nats’ manager Dave Martinez is set to give the 22-year-old infielder a shot at the Opening Day roster.  Continue reading →

Posted in DaveMartinez, MikeRizzo, Roster | Leave a comment

This Hot Stove event had a new accoutrement: The World Series trophy!

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Erika C.

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

The annual Hot Stove event took place at Nats Park today, and season ticket holders were able to come together to celebrate the World Series title and listen to a discussion about the Washington Nationals past, present, and future of the team as manager Dave Martinez, assistant General Manager Mark Scialabba, and VP of Business Operation Jake Burns spoke about everything from World Series rings to who might be playing third base this season. Continue reading →

Posted in Feature | Leave a comment

How do these 2020 #Nats stack up against the competition?

Posted on January 25, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Nats Win; Photo by Andrew Lang for TalkNats

How do the 2020 Washington Nationals stack up with the competition? As Fangraphs tinkers with the numbers each day, the Nationals are at a +43.4 team WAR, and that is 8th best in the Majors and 3rd in the National League. But how do the Nats rank at each position? We have those numbers for you. Clearly after the changes at third base you knew that position was downgraded, but how do the Nats compare to the other 29 teams will expose the strengths and weak points. Continue reading →

Posted in Feature, Recap, Roster | Leave a comment