by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
Photo by Andrew Lang for TalkNats
This is a long story that and much has changed since we published this originally four years ago. Some might think it begins on the fields of Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the Little League World Series or finishes after scoring the tying run in 2019 Wild Card game. It actually begins when Andrew Stevenson was growing up in Youngsville, Louisiana near Lafayette. The ending has not been written yet nor has the middle of the story. Continue reading
Rutledge was the Nationals’ top draft pick in June 2019. (MLB)
It has been a little over a full year from his draft in the first round in 2019, and Jackson Rutledge is now MLB Pipeline’s № 1 prospect for the Washington Nationals. He holds the same spot that Stephen Strasburg once held for the Nats, and the pair have many things in common including going undrafted from High School and straight to the first round in the draft out of college.
On the Baseball America rankings, Cade Cavalli is on top of that list for the Nats with Rutledge as the № 2 prospect. Both players spent a lot of time together at the 2020 Alternate Training Site in Fredericksburg, and yes, Cavalli had his barbershop scissors and clippers with him and cut Rutledge’s hair a few times. In return for the haircuts, Jackson would cook breakfast for Cavalli in a swap. Continue reading
Don: OK Steve, let’s continue our discussion of upgrading the offense. I think we both agree that neither George Springer or Marcell Ozuna are going to be signed by Rizzo.
Steve: Overall, Ozuna looks to be a very expensive designated hitter — although he could be the new Nelson Cruz. While Springer would fit anywhere, the money just seems out of reach for the Nationals at this point.
Don: We’ve already discussed Nolan Arenado in Point-CounterPoint: Upgrading the Nats Offense and pretty much agreed it would be nice but terribly unlikely. And even more unlikely now that the Dodgers are supposedly interested in Arenado.
So let’s turn our attention to another possibility getting a lot of press right now: Kris Bryant. Continue reading
Scherzer earned his 175th career win, Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
When Max Scherzer put his Potomac River mansion up for sale, there was an uneasiness among some in the Washington Nationals fan base who felt it was a sign that the 3-time Cy Young award winner was going to be traded. While there have been no credible reports of any trade, it is part of “anything is possible” given that Scherzer is in the final year of his 7-year $210 million deal with the Nats. If you read enough on social media, you will find those self-described insiders that will tell you that it is legitimate that Scherzer will be traded. Continue reading
Trea Turner in Syracuse, New York in April 2015
When the music stopped in the 2018 carousel of musical chairs for Minor League affiliates, the Washington Nationals were without a chair for their Triple-A affiliate. Actually, they had no chairs, bench, or team bus. Their affiliation with Syracuse ended rather abruptly when the Chiefs struck a deal to be purchased by the New York Mets which simultaneously put the Nats affiliate in a homeless situation for months.
The Syracuse affiliation with the Nationals ran from 2008-2018 on the tombstone. While Nashville looked the most promising for a new affiliation, that did not happen nor did Round Rock. When the dust settled, the Nationals were stuck with the Fresno vacancy as their only option which placed that team 2,794 miles away and a logistical nightmare. Sure, the weather was better than Syracuse, but call-ups are best served when you can drive it within a reasonable amount of time when you have a moment of urgency for a call-up. Continue reading
In another segment of dollars and sense, we discuss the arbitration decision deadline that is approaching at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, December 2nd. This occurs on the first business day of the month of December after December 1st. That is the time when teams will either tender a contract to an arbitration-eligible player or non-tender a player which means no contract is extended to the player who then is removed from the team’s 40-man roster and could become a free agent. If a player is tendered, the team then agrees to follow the arbitration route which is either a negotiated salary for the 2021 season or a decision to go to an arbitration hearing to determine the salary. Continue reading
Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
We are joined by Richard W. of The Nats Report. We did this point-counterpoint from last week as we discuss off-season spending.
Steve: Thanks Richard for joining us. It did not take a genius to figure out in these difficult times in the “live entertainment” sector that MLB teams would be struggling to make money when so much revenue is dependent on fans in the stands. Unfortunately for our Washington Nationals, they are more dependent on fans in the stands than almost any team because they have the WORST media deal due to the MASN debacle and ongoing lawsuit and they have no stadium naming rights sponsor. With zero attendance in 2020 and a strict DC Government, the outlook is bleak for the first half of 2021 attendance for Nationals Park with the hope by July that most fans have been vaccinated.
With that said, a team like the Nats cannot depend on fan revenue in 2021 and as such will cut payroll. Yes, nobody wants to hear that. Don’t fret, the Nationals without spending a dime are the 7th highest in payroll spent if they do nothing. That is because they have nearly $90 million invested in the trio of Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, and Patrick Corbin. That’s where 55% of the Nats money is tied up right now. Continue reading
Photo by Laura Peebles for TalkNats
Mum’s the word. There has been little chatter from general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez of the Washington Nationals this offseason. Our sourced intel has produced little as to the direction of acquisitions as the information is being held close to the vest. We have had to rely on actions more than anything through the few roster moves and coaching changes. The rest is based on our own analytics as to how to fill the holes. Continue reading
"Opening Day should be a National holiday"
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