All of the top prospect interviews linked here for the #Nats

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo provided by Juan Jose Soto to TalkNats; Juan Soto (L), Jeremy De La Rosa (R)

Here are the top-11 Washington Nationals prospects by our rankings, and their links to the interviews we have completed:

1. Cade Cavalli | RHP – CAVALLI INTERVIEW
2. Jackson Rutledge | RHP – RUTLEDGE INTERVIEW
3. Cole Henry | RHP – HENRY INTERVIEW
4. Yasel Antuna | SS – ANTUNA INTERVIEW
5. Andry Lara | RHP – LARA INTERVIEW
6. Jeremy De La Rosa | OF – DE LA ROSA INTERVIEW
7. Tim Cate | LHP – CATE INTERVIEW
8. Mason Denaburg | RHP – DENABURG INTERVIEW
9. Matt Cronin | LHP – CRONIN INTERVIEW
10. Armando Cruz | SS – CRUZ INTERVIEW
11. Jackson Cluff | SS – CLUFF INTERVIEW

Bonus: Cristian Vaquero is an international free agent who reportedly has committed to the Nationals | CF –  VAQUERO INTERVIEW

(L to R): Juan Soto, Cristian Vaquero, Victor Robles, Armando Cruz; Photo from Cristian Vaquero January 2020

Jonny DiPuglia photo by Steve Mears for TalkNats

General Manager Mike Rizzo (L) and manager Davey Martinez (R)

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Topps picks Juan Soto for the cover of their 2021 Series 1 boxes and packs!

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo supplied by Topps

Every year there is just one player chosen for the cover of Topps Baseball Series 1, and this year the Topps Trading Card executives chose Juan Soto. Fans can also get a first look at the newest Series 1 cards the day before they’re released during the Topps Series 1 Rip Party on February 9th at 6 pm ET, which will be broadcasted live on the Topps YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and topps.com! Continue reading →

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Mike Rizzo, Dave Martinez and Jim Hickey give the State of the Nats!

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Andrew Lang

Screenshot of the event

The Washington Nationals aired their annual offseason “State of the Nats” report this year in a virtual presentation featuring Mike Rizzo, General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, Manager Dave Martinez, and Pitching Coach Jim Hickey. The opening had an introduction from Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Jake Burns. The show was moderated by Nats radio voice Dave Jageler. There was also a special guest appearance from Ryan Zimmerman as the program shifted from Burns to baseball talk. But mostly, this event which is an exclusive perk for full-season ticket holders and their guests, did not have the same feel as prior years when fans packed into a warm inside space at Nats Park before the Super Bowl to attend this coveted event.  Continue reading →

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Cole Henry is one of the #Nats top prospects who you need to know!

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Nationals graphic

The 2020 draft for the Washington Nationals yielded Cade Cavalli, Cole Henry, Samuel Infante, Holden Powell, Brady Lindsly, and Mitchell Parker over the truncated 5-round amateur draft. Most Nats fans are familiar with Cavalli already, and those who follow the top prospects know that Cole Henry is already the Nats Nº. 3 prospect on Baseball America‘s rankings. Continue reading →

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The Alex Avila acquisition leaves 1 or 2 spots left for the #Nats

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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Posted in Analysis, Feature, MikeRizzo, Roster | Leave a comment

Bold Predictions, Bold Wishes, Bold Dreams for the #Nats

Posted on January 28, 2021 by DonH

Time to have some fun with bold predictions, bold wishes, bold dreams – along with your rationale for why they might be a good idea for moves for the Washington Nationals.  And predictions like signing Justin Turner or Marcell Ozuna do not qualify unless they are really off-the-wall. The Nationals only have two spots remaining on their 40-man roster so we are doing two bold ideas. But remember, general manager Mike Rizzo could make more than two moves and DFA or trade someone off of the 40-man roster to free up space.

Steve, Sao, Andrew and I will all make a couple of bold predictions. And we ask the TalkNats folks to add their own in the comments section. And we have created a poll for whether you like the ones we have included here.  Continue reading →

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Jon Lester is officially on the Washington Nationals roster!

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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The Hot Stove boiled over yesterday!

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

Within hours, several free agents were reportedly signed yesterday including Cesar Hernandez, Tommy La Stella, Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, Freddie Galvis, Wilson Ramos, and J.T. Realmuto. The available infielders and catchers inventory shifted dramatically in the wake of those signings. Almost every name on that list, sans Galvis and Simmons, had been discussed here in detail as well as on the rumor mill. In fact yesterday on TalkNats, lineups were formulated if general manager signed Hernandez, La Stella or Semien. Back to the drawing board. Of course the Washington Nationals have enough players on their roster to fill what many people consider the weak links on the team which notably are third base, backup catcher, and fifth outfielder.  Continue reading →

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#Nats LineUp Options

Posted on January 25, 2021 by DonH

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

Now that Ryan Zimmerman is on board with the Washington Nationals, we can expect he will get a number of the starts at 1B when the opposing starter is a left-hander. It is time to evaluate alternative lineups.

Steve: Sound good. Let’s do a lefty platoon/matchup lineup and a righty one using 171 PAs in games started by left handed pitchers and 513 in games started by right handed pitchers. I’ve sent you 3 sets of lineups:

  • One using just the players on the roster as of now.
  • One assuming Cesar Hernandez (I think he is undervalued).
  • And since we are welcoming Sao to this Point-CounterPoint, one with Marcus Semien included.

Continue reading →

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Developing: Nats reportedly get the bird in the Hand!

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo courtesy of One Pursuit Takes for TalkNats

The best reliever in the free agent mix was Brad Hand who never appeared to be on the Washington Nationals radar until this weekend. A few minutes ago, Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, broke the news that the Nats were closing in on Hand, and shortly afterwards Jeff Passan of ESPN confirmed that the Nats in fact signed Hand to a one-year deal for $10.5 million. That salary for the closer will blow the Nats past the $190 million mark in payroll to $194 million.
Continue reading →

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