The NL East was called the NL Least and now is becoming the NL Beast!

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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It’s back to work for Mike Rizzo and staff! #Nats

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

In England, it is still a holiday today. Boxing Day is being celebrated in London and for the fútbol teams, their general managers could have another day-off. That is not the case for Washington Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo, his work is never done — those are his words. Rizzo’s employment has few days-off and few second chances. There are only 30 people in the world with the MLB general manager job title, and the general managers who are the best, live in a perpetual world where winning keeps you employed. Rizzo looks to be the biggest winner so far this off-season among his compeers. FanGraphs’ analysts believe the Nationals have made the moves to get them back to the top of the NL East. They are believers or at least their modeling for projections believes the Nats are the best team in the NL East with a projected 90-72 record after they fine tuned the numbers once again (91-71 on Monday). Continue reading →

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Nationals’ Night before Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2018 by ArVaFan aka Laura Peebles

Nationals’ Night before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring but Rizz and his mouse.

The contracts were laid on the table with care

With hope that free agents soon would sign there.

The players were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of Florida danced in their heads.

Continue reading →

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We name the remaining free agents who can move the needle! Here’s the Top 100 who are unsigned!

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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Can Mike Rizzo upgrade at second base? #Nats

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

When Howie Kendrick‘s season ended on May 19th in the 8th inning with an achilles tendon injury, it has led to much doubt that the player who turns 36 next season can recover to be effective on defense. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had said that he was interested in bringing in another infielder with positional versatility, but then Mike Rizzo signed left-handed first baseman Matt Adams which has now left doubt in the direction Rizzo goes now. Continue reading →

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The Expos – The beginning

Posted on December 22, 2018 by 2019Nats

The Washington Nationals have now been around for a long time. They went through a dark period of horrid performances and have now been in the contenders club for 7 years. Before they came to Washington, the Nats were the Montreal Expos, and I understand for many DC area fans that the Montreal history isn’t relevant, and I am totally fine with that. There are a small group of fans though who still live and die with the Nats whose fandom originated with the Expos, some of them still live in Quebec, some in the Toronto area and a few of us are scattered in different areas in the US. Continue reading →

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When the Mets, Braves or Phillies have made a move, the #Nats have answered back!

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The NL East’s top four teams have all been improving this off-season with signings that have ratcheted up the team WAR. When one punches, the other counter-punches. It got so hot this past week after the Mets signed former-Nats catcher Wilson Ramos that the Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen declared, “Internally, we can argue that we’re the favorites in the division right now.” FanGraphs says otherwise Mr. Van Wagenen. After that bold proclamation by the Mets G.M., it was the Nationals G.M.’s time to throw a haymaker when Mike Rizzo signed right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Continue reading →

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Mike Rizzo gets his #4 pitcher in Anibal Sanchez

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Photo by Laura Peebles for TalkNats

After Tanner Roark was traded last week, the Nationals were in need of a fourth starter and today inked the right-handed Anibal Sanchez after he put up a fantastic year for the Braves. Prices firmed up for starting pitchers last week putting Sanchez near the top end of his range. Sanchez’s agent Gene Mato and Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had some preliminary talks during the Winter Meetings and completed the deal today. The contract is for two years plus a third year option in an incentives-laden deal for a base salary covering 2 years and $19 million. Continue reading →

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Is there any way for the #Nats to re-sign Bryce Harper and keep payroll under $206 million?

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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Tweaking the Game: Ultimate Outcomes

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Ray Wyvill

Exaggerated Defensive Shifts date back to Ted Williams. Game 2 1946 World Series, Oct. 7 Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis.

(Last of a two-part series)

Any business proprietor will tell you that facing continual challenges is a central element of operation.  Baseball is hardly immune.  The current hurdles staring at the corporate Major League Baseball afterguard are not insurmountable by any stretch.  But, they won’t vanish of their own volition.  The industry has to make some moves if it wants to avoid the dreaded fate of being “Overtaken by Events.”   Last week we addressed the central issue of the current baseball product; the pace and amount of action has decreased.  Seemingly every sportswriter has taken multiple stabs at solving the issue.  Few have applied systematic problem-solving.  The result is a wall with lots of splotches and stains, but little pasta has actually stuck.  Let’s approach this from a different perspective. Continue reading →

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