Mark Zuckerman
Mark Zuckerman

Joining Nationals' enviable roster was "no-brainer" for Thames

Joining Nationals' enviable roster was "no-brainer" for Thames
There's a recurring theme growing among those who have joined the Nationals this winter. All have played on winning teams before, so obviously they were drawn to sign with the team that just won the World Series. But it goes a step beyond that. The Nationals didn't just win last season. They had fun doing it, and they did it as a unified group. And for these newest members of the roster, that extra dynamic - sometimes rare in professional sports - really sealed the deal. "This team, you...
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Mark Zuckerman

Looking at potential lineup combinations

Looking at potential lineup combinations
At the end, when they were playing for all the marbles in late October, the Nationals lineup was consistent. Consistently productive. And consistently featuring the same hitters in the same spots in the order. As things stand today, five weeks before pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach to begin their title defense, that lineup looks quite different. And if there's one word to describe it in its current form, it might well be: inconsistent. With Anthony Rendon off to Anaheim to play...
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Mark Zuckerman

After admiring them from afar, Castro thrilled to join Nats

After admiring them from afar, Castro thrilled to join Nats
Starlin Castro always wanted to play for the Nationals because of two men: Alfonso Soriano and Davey Martinez. Way back in 2006, when he was still an unsigned 16-year-old in his native Dominican Republic, Castro watched in awe as Soriano became only the fourth member of the 40-40 club in major league history during his one season in Washington. Castro and Soriano eventually became teammates with the Cubs, and soon after that, Martinez became Chicago's bench coach under manager Joe Maddon....
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Mark Zuckerman

Remade bullpen looks promising, but is it enough?

Remade bullpen looks promising, but is it enough?
The Nationals bullpen, way back on July 30, 2019, was a mess. Sean Doolittle was beginning to show signs of fatigue from his excessive (but necessary) workload through the season's first four months. Fernando Rodney was his setup man and occasional fill-in closer. Wander Suero was pitching nearly every night. The rest of the unit included Tanner Rainey, Javy Guerra, Tony Sipp, Matt Grace and Michael Blazek. So Mike Rizzo, as he has been forced to do more than once during his tenure as general...
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Mark Zuckerman

Nats find new lefty first baseman in free agent Thames

Nats find new lefty first baseman in free agent Thames
The Nationals have found themselves this year's left-handed first baseman. Eric Thames, who averaged 24 homers and an .848 OPS the last three seasons for the Brewers, has agreed to terms on a contract with the Nats that guarantees $4 million, a source familiar with the with deal confirmed. Thames, who must pass a physical before the deal is official, will earn a $3 million salary this year, with a $1 million buyout of a mutual option for 2021 likely to be enacted after the season. Thus the...
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Mark Zuckerman

Source: Hudson returning to Nats on two-year deal

Source: Hudson returning to Nats on two-year deal
Turns out last week's signing of Will Harris didn't prohibit the Nationals from bringing back Daniel Hudson. Hudson and the Nats are finalizing a new deal that would keep the veteran reliever in D.C. for two more seasons at the fairly reasonable price of $11 million (plus incentives), a source familiar with the terms confirmed this afternoon. Once completed, Hudson would rejoin a Nationals bullpen that on paper looks much stronger now than it did for most of the 2019 season, when it ranked...
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Mark Zuckerman

Where does the Nationals' payroll stand at this point?

Where does the Nationals' payroll stand at this point?
With one really expensive re-signing of one of the staff aces along with several calculated re-signings or additions of role players to fill the holes in their roster, the Nationals have been one of the most active teams across baseball so far this winter. They're not done, of course, because they still seek a replacement for Anthony Rendon at third base, they still need a first baseman (or two) and they could still use at least one more reliable arm to strengthen a bullpen that's better but...
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Mark Zuckerman

Could the Nats re-sign any more of their remaining free agents?

Could the Nats re-sign any more of their remaining free agents?
The Nationals had an usually large number of players become free agents off their championship roster: 12 in total, including those who either opted out of the rest of their contracts or had options declined by the club after the season. To their credit, they've managed to re-signed five of those free agents so far (Stephen Strasburg, Howie Kendrick, Yan Gomes, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Javy Guerra) while losing only two (Anthony Rendon, Gerardo Parra). But that still leaves five more players from...
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Mark Zuckerman

Nats have options, versatility around the infield

Nats have options, versatility around the infield
Here, 5 1/2 weeks before pitchers and catchers are due to report for spring training, is what the Nationals don't have: a viable replacement for Anthony Rendon. Here, though, is what they do have: a whole lot of versatility and a whole lot of options across the infield. Friday's signing of Starlin Castro to a two-year, $12 million deal (pending physical) created even more options for the Nats as they try to figure out how to align their infield come opening day. If the season began today (and...
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Mark Zuckerman

Source: Nats sign infielder Castro to two-year deal

Source: Nats sign infielder Castro to two-year deal
The Nationals added another piece to their ever-changing infield puzzle this afternoon, signing the versatile Starlin Castro to a two-year, $12 million contract that doesn't prevent them from continuing to pursue star third baseman Josh Donaldson. The deal, which is pending a physical, was confirmed by a source familiar with the terms after first being reported by The Athletic. Castro, 29, is a four-time All-Star who first made a name for himself as the Cubs' potential long-term shortstop,...
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Mark Zuckerman

Harris doesn't shy from role in Game 7, thrilled to join Nats

Harris doesn't shy from role in Game 7, thrilled to join Nats
Will Harris could've let the memory of Game 7 linger, could've decided the best way to forget about the championship-changing home run he surrendered was to get as far away from the two teams that were involved in that moment. But that's not Harris' style. When the Nationals came calling this winter, and certainly when they offered a three-year, $24 million deal to the man who gave up the homer that won them the World Series, he didn't hesitate to embrace the idea. "Everybody I talked to...
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Mark Zuckerman

Three-year deal for Harris is worth the risk for Nationals

Three-year deal for Harris is worth the risk for Nationals
Try to forget for a moment the name of the reliever the Nationals just signed, who he previously pitched for and what happened the last time he took the mound. Instead, just look at his numbers over the last five seasons and how he ranks among the 119 big league relievers who have made at least 200 appearances during that time frame: * 2.36 ERA, third best (behind Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman) * 0.987 WHIP, fourth best (behind Kenley Jansen, Roberto Osuna and Andrew Miller) * 2.72 FIP,...
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Mark Zuckerman

Source: Nats signing reliever Will Harris to three-year deal

Source: Nats signing reliever Will Harris to three-year deal
In their quest to fix the most notable hole in an otherwise talented and deep roster, the Nationals have signed the veteran reliever who gave up the home run that propelled them to their first World Series title only nine weeks ago. Will Harris, the former Astros right-hander who threw the pitch that Howie Kendrick clanked off the foul pole at Minute Maid Park in Game 7, has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with the Nationals, a source familiar with the terms confirmed tonight. The...
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Mark Zuckerman

Was 2019 a one-time thing or the start of something even bigger?

Was 2019 a one-time thing or the start of something even bigger?
The 2019 season was a long time coming for the Nationals. After eight years as contenders, after 15 years in the District, after 51 years as a franchise and after 95 years without a World Series title in D.C., this Nats club was the one that finally broke through and hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy. Along the way, the members of this championship team won over everyone's heart, forever etching their place in Washington sports history. No matter what happens for the next 95 years, the...
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Mark Zuckerman

How the Nationals depth chart looks at this point

How the Nationals depth chart looks at this point
We've talked a lot about what the Nationals still need to do this winter to get their roster back into full form, whether that includes the re-signing of players who helped them win the World Series or the addition of newcomers who could help offset the losses of key figures. But what do the Nats already have internally to address any positions of need? If they had to take the field today - and thank God they don't - what would their roster look like? Even if they didn't have to cobble...
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Mark Zuckerman

Will new reliever rule keep Nats from adding another lefty?

Will new reliever rule keep Nats from adding another lefty?
It feels like the Nationals have perpetually been searching for a left-handed reliever who can consistently get left-handed hitters out. Because they have. Sure, there have been a few guys over the years who have been successful: Mike Gonzalez in 2012, Matt Thornton in 2014, Sean Burnett and Sean Doolittle over multiple years. But there have been far more failures than successes in this department: Enny Romero, Sammy Solís, Tim Collins, Tony Sipp, Matt Grace, Dan Jennings, Tom Gorzelanny,...
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Mark Zuckerman

How far are Nats willing to go to sign Donaldson?

How far are Nats willing to go to sign Donaldson?
The Nationals are interested in Josh Donaldson, this much we know. But how far are they willing to go to try to lure the top remaining free agent third baseman to D.C. in the hope he can fill the very large hole created by Anthony Rendon's departure? Donaldson won't come cheap. That has become obvious. The veteran slugger, who turned 34 last week, appears likely to get a four-year deal for something in the vicinity of $100 million. That's a steep price for any player at his age. Here's the...
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Mark Zuckerman

Nationals make few changes to minor league staffs

Nationals make few changes to minor league staffs
The Nationals are retaining the vast majority of their minor league coaches from this season, but several will be in new roles in 2020. Among the changes announced by the club today: Longtime Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt LeCroy is shifting to a roving position as quality control coordinator, Triple-A Fresno pitching coach Brad Holman is taking over as minor league pitching coordinator and Billy Gardner becomes LeCroy's replacement as the manager in Harrisburg. Most everyone returns intact...
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Mark Zuckerman

Lefty Abad reportedly signs minor league deal with Nats

Lefty Abad reportedly signs minor league deal with Nats
The Nationals will extend spring training invitations to a swath of players who sign minor league contracts this winter, and among those players will be a veteran reliever who previously pitched for the organization. Left-hander Fernando Abad has agreed to terms with the Nats on a minor league deal, according to The Athletic. The 34-year-old will compete with countless others in West Palm Beach, Fla., who hope to secure the one or two spots on the opening day roster that figure to be up for...
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Mark Zuckerman

Nats taking steps now to try to avoid World Series hangover

Nats taking steps now to try to avoid World Series hangover
Davey Martinez has experienced World Series hangover. Mike Rizzo has seen other clubs battle it after winning a title. So the Nationals manager and general manager are already trying to establish a tone that will combat the fatigue and malaise that inevitably follows a championship season. The key message they want to deliver to their players: Be ready to go right from day one of spring training, and place importance on winning games in March and April. Martinez knows firsthand how easy it is...
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