by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
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
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
The last time we saw Ryan Zimmerman he was hoisting the World Series trophy at the Nats documentary premiere!
The Washington Nationals almost have the entire band back together after agreeing on a 1-year deal with Ryan Zimmerman that could be worth $5 million in total. Almost everyone from the 2019 World Series team is back together! General Manager Mike Rizzo has signed back Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, Yan Gomes, Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera, Daniel Hudson, and Javy Guerra (minor’s deal). In addition, the Nats picked up the team options on Sean Doolittle and Adam Eaton. Continue reading
No Mike Rizzo at the event this year; Photo by Andrew Lang for TalkNats
On Sunday, the Washington Nationals will hold their annual “Hot Stove” event for their full-season plan holders at Nationals Park on Sunday. Membership in Nats Plus has its privileges. A morning email from the Nationals that was excerpted and posted by DHamm6500 stated that this Sunday’s Hot Stove event will not have general manager Mike Rizzo.
“The event will feature Dave Martinez, the Manager of your 2019 World Series Champions, Mark Scialabba, Assistant General Manager and Jake Burns, Executive Vice President of Business Operations”.
The Hot Stove panel as assembled will be comprised of assistant general manager Mark Scialabba who was recently promoted, manager Dave Martinez, and from the business side of the organization Jake Burns who is the VP of Business Operations will round out the panel. There are always great tidbits and themes that come out of the “State of the team” address if Scialabba gives one this year. On the business side, these season ticket holders get the first glimpses at the new bobbleheads and giveaways for the upcoming season as well as new ballpark upgrades and food choices. Continue reading
The SiriusXM town hall with Davey Martinez, moderated by Chuck Todd, was an event I was fortunate to attend. Davey was just back from a vacation in Bali; he looked very rested. Before the program started he said he wanted to tell us this because he knew there had been talk about his having missed WinterFest: As has been mentioned elsewhere, the Bali trip had been planned two years ago – he and his girlfriend were the sole bidders on a ZiMS Foundation auction (he said he had always wanted to go there). As the winners, they were given three date options — October 2019, or January or February 2020. Good thing they hadn’t chosen October. Continue reading
Carter Kieboom homers; Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats
Maybe this time Washington Nationals general manager really does like his roster as he said last week at the team’s Winterfest. Normally when Rizzo utters the words “I like my team” it foreshadows an impact roster move that is days away. But maybe this time he is done with impact moves. Fangraphs likes the Nats as their third best team in the NL with a team WAR of +43.2, and that only trails the Dodgers and Mets in the “Senior Circuit” so far. Current Vegas lines likes the reigning World Series champs better at 90.5 wins and second best in the NL and tied with the Braves. That is some respect in a year of greater parity in the league. Continue reading
The secret to the Washington Nationals’ success? Sure, they had “Go 1-0 today,” Baby Shark, Calma, solid teamwork, a never-quit attitude, great pitching, clutch hitting, and some luck. But apparently the key to the World Series wins was . . . chocolate caramel clusters from Costco. Read on. Continue reading
Photo courtesy of Andrew Lang for TalkNats
Baseball free agency allows players to choose their future employers much like the private sector. While the grass may not be greener on the other side, sometimes it is, and also the avenue to higher income. Corporations that covet top talent have used creative methods to retain their superstars by offering vesting stock options, upward mobility, trips, homes, and other perks. Loyalties do go both ways. The Lerners wanted to make Ian Desmond a “Nat for life” like they did with Ryan Zimmerman, and have now done with the oft-injured World Series MVP, Stephen Strasburg. But there is a history of the Nats not being proactive early in pre-arbitration to sign players.
As Mike Rizzo has said numerous times, “It takes two to tango.” Yes, both sides have to agree to dance. Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper both departed after they received reported contract offers of $210 million and $300 million respectively from the Nats. What have we learned about the players who have stayed and the players who have left? Continue reading
We won’t miss Josh Donaldson in the NL East. We also won’t miss the daily dose of B.S. rumors on the mega contract that Josh Donaldson was going to sign, and how the Washington Nationals fit into those rumors. He didn’t get close to the 4/$100 they said he had in-hand or even the rumored 4/$110 or 4/$112 that were spoken of. In the end, he got 4 years and $84 million with a 5th year team option and an $8 million buyout if they do not pick-up the option. Continue reading
Repeating as a champion is the goal for 2020
For this 2020 Washington Nationals team, manager Dave Martinez will need some players to step up their game this season beyond the projections. With a +42.9 team WAR as Fangraphs has computed as of this date, that probably is not enough to win the NL East, but the Nats goal is to repeat as World Champs and like last year feel they can win by just getting into the dance. They have lofty goals and why not! Win it all and go home is a lot better than win or go home. Being the team that wins the last game of the year leads to parades, and that is a team goal. Continue reading
"Opening Day should be a National holiday"
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