Click to Read an Important Member Update Regarding Our Comment System
We recently upgraded our comment system to improve reliability, performance, and long-term control, and we’re currently running both systems during the transition. This shift moves us away from an external service to a system we run and control directly—meaning we own the content and can continue improving it over time. We’ve also reduced the comment refresh delay from about 30 seconds to 10 seconds, making it much closer to real-time.
We understand there have been frustrations and increased feedback, and we’re actively working to improve things. What we ask is simple: use the system and give it a fair shot. If you run into issues, please submit them through the support form so we can track and fix them properly. Repeated complaints without details don’t help us solve problems—we appreciate your patience as we continue refining the experience.
If you’d like a full side-by-side comparison of the platforms and the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the chart below. This change is being made with the long-term benefit of the entire community in mind.
Built by Nationals Fans. Powered by the Conversation.
Kyle Finnegan warms up in the Nats bullpen; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
On February 22nd as news broke of Jeremy Jeffress signing a minor league deal, it appeared he would have the clearest path to the final spot in the Washington Nationals bullpen. In less than two weeks on the Spring Training roster, Jeffress is gone. Things rarely appear that simple on clear paths to the roster.
When Jeffress was unceremoniously released, general manager Mike Rizzo stated, “He was released for personnel reasons” and no further explanation was given as barbs and jabs were flying on Twitter after Jeffress put out a series of cryptic tweets. With Opening Day in twenty-five days, the battle for the final roster spot(s) are whittled down by the first cut of Spring Training. Continue reading →
The Washington Nationals by now are used to making that 14-mile road trip to the north to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium which is the Spring Training home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals jointly. They are part of the four team configuration along with the Nats and Astros that call Palm Beach County home. It is convenient in this compacted Spring Training that MLB limited to only neighboring teams to curtail the travel. Continue reading →
Here we are 27-days before Opening Day on April 1, and the first projected Washington Nationals starting pitcher is making his debut in a Spring Training game. Before camp opened in mid-February, it was known that Max Scherzer twisted his ankle. The team was taking it slow with him, and here we are with the 3-time Cy pitcher on the mound for the first time in 2021 to face the St. Louis Cardinals. Continue reading →
You must be a TalkNats Subscriber to access this content. Subscribers have access to exclusive content on the TalkNats website and can engage in discussions with other Nats fans. Click here to become a subscriber.
First two weeks are free and then you will be billed $3.99/month. Cancel anytime. Secure payments using Stripe.
If you are already a subscriber, simply log in using the form below.
Clover Park in Port St. Lucie; Photo from Stan for TalkNats
Today was supposed to have been Jon Lester‘s debut game in Spring Training for the Washington Nationals, but instead he was scratched because of the decision to have surgery to remove his thyroid gland. Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez will now use reliever Kyle Finnegan as his opener followed by several other pitchers in this first 2021 meeting with the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie. Continue reading →
There is a whole lot of discussion going on as to whether Andrew Stevenson has an option remaining based on the 2020 rules. This may very well be decided by an arbitrator as Stevo and many other 40-man players now have another option. It would allow the Washington Nationals to place Stevenson in the minors again — not that it is part of a plan as Stevenson appears to be a lock for the Nats bench at this point — but plans change. Continue reading →
Photo from Armando Cruz (R) with Cristian Vaquero (L); February 2020, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at Ágora Mall
Centerfielder Cristian Vaquero has established himself as one of the top international amateur prospects for the Class of 2021. Today, Baseball America broke the news that the 16 year old has been rumored and tied to a commitment to the Washington Nationals, but this cannot become official until the next international free agent signing period which is expected in July or it could be pushed back to January as we saw happened during the 2020 season.
“The Nationals paid the top bonus for a 16-year-old international prospect in the 2020-21 signing class, when they spent most of their bonus pool money on Dominican shortstop Armando Cruz. In the next signing period, it looks like they’re going to invest most of their pool space into one player again, this time with Vaquero the headliner,” Baseball America wrote.
Also, it appears Vaquero has committed to the Boras Agency for representation if you trust social media posts as he was previously tied to the Republik Sports agency. His updated social media posts seem to confirm both choices as he is seen wearing a Boras shirt in his most recent photo on Instagram, as well as several photos in Nats gear.
Ben Badler, Senior Writer for Baseball America, released his 2021-22 International Big Board today, which currently lists Vaquero as BA’s No. 1 prospect in terms of projected bonuses.
Our first international prospect board for the 2021-22 class is up today at Baseball America.
An overview of some of the top 2021 players with reports, teams and videos.https://t.co/JykXtBM35s
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Vaquero eventually made his way to the Dominican Republic in order further develop his baseball skills. Vaquero trains under the guidance of the Javier Rodriguez Academy outside of Santo Domingo Este. Continue reading →
Keep in mind that the entire Spring Training schedule for the Washington Nationals will be played in Palm Beach County and nearby Port St. Lucie. The Nats will play 15 of 24 games in their home park with three of them technically as visitors against the Astros due to the fact that they share the stadium. Today’s game has the Nats listed as the home team against those Astros. The last time they met in this ballpark there was trashcan banging and signage that was confiscated due to the Astros cheating scandal.
The starters for today’s game is really more akin to being “openers” since pitch counts generally are limited to 25-35 pitches during the first starts of Spring Training. It will be Austin Voth for the Nats and RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez for the Astros. Continue reading →
Photo of the front gates of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter by Sol Tucker for TalkNats.com
Two months ago it did not look like Spring Training games were going to be played in the month of February, and with a few tweaks we get the start to a 24-game Grapefruit League kickoff for Opening Day. The Nats travel the 14-miles up I-95 which is also great for Nationals fans to make the short drive up the road to see the team in another venue, and today they get to see Erick Fedde on the mound. For the Cardinals, they give right-handed Jack Flaherty the start who was already named the Cards’ opening day pitcher. Continue reading →
It looks like Josh Harrison could be the most valuable guy on the bench unless there is an acquisition that takes place. With a righty outfield bat needed to give Kyle Schwarber some days off, it looks like Josh Harrison would be the guy. There does not seem to be a lefty on the bench to give Carter Kieboom and Starlin Castro some days off. Continue reading →
We recently upgraded our comment system to improve reliability, performance, and long-term control, and we’re currently running both systems during the transition. This shift moves us away from an external service to a system we run and control directly—meaning we own the content and can continue improving it over time. We’ve also reduced the comment refresh delay from about 30 seconds to 10 seconds, making it much closer to real-time.
We understand there have been frustrations and increased feedback, and we’re actively working to improve things. What we ask is simple: use the system and give it a fair shot. If you run into issues, please submit them through the support form so we can track and fix them properly. Repeated complaints without details don’t help us solve problems—we appreciate your patience as we continue refining the experience.
If you’d like a full side-by-side comparison of the platforms and the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the chart below. This change is being made with the long-term benefit of the entire community in mind.