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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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The band is back together! Ryan Zimmerman is on base!

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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 →

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The #Nats Hot Stove event; Do you have any burning questions? No Rizzo this time.

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears
Francisco Mejia

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 →

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Who’s on third? Highlights of a conversation with Davey Martinez

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Susan V

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 →

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25 days to West Palm Beach and 3rd base is there for the taking!

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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 →

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