Juan Soto's monster second half was enough to earn the young Nationals star his second straight Silver Slugger Award. We'll find out in one week if it was enough to earn him his first MVP award.
Soto was honored tonight as one of the recipients of the 2021 Silver Slugger Award, handed out annually to the best offensive player at each position in his league, as voted on by managers and coaches late in the regular season. He joined former teammate and fellow MVP candidate Bryce Harper along...
The Nationals' lengthy run as one of baseball's most consistently successful franchises coincided with ownership's willingness to spend like one of the sport's richest franchises.
In each of the last nine seasons, dating back to 2013, the Nats had one of the majors' 10 highest payrolls. They peaked, appropriately, in 2019, spending more than $205 million on players' salaries en route to their first World Series championship.
And while the final tally has fluctuated a bit year to year, it...
The World Series ended last week. They held a parade in Atlanta. More than 180 players officially became free agents. The general managers' meetings are currently taking place in Carlsbad, Calif.
Suffice it to say, the offseason has begun. And for the Nationals, it's an offseason loaded with more questions and less certainty than anyone around here has experienced in a long time.
Some winters, the storylines and the objectives are crystal clear. This winter? It's anybody's guess, with the...
PLAYER REVIEW: ANDRES MACHADO
Age on opening day 2022: 28
How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, February 2021
MLB service time: 120 days
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, possibly arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2028
2021 stats: 1-2, 3.53 ERA, 40 G, 35 2/3 IP, 30 H, 17 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 30 SO, 5 HBP, 1.262 WHIP, 116 ERA+, 4.63 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, 0.2 bWAR
Quotable: "I've been watching him and using him in different situations. He gets the ball...
PLAYER REVIEW: MASON THOMPSON
Age on opening day 2022: 24
How acquired: Traded from Padres with Jordy Barley for Daniel Hudson, July 2021
MLB service time: 80 days
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2025, free agent in 2028
2021 stats (SD/WSH): 1-3, 4.01 ERA, 31 G, 24 2/3 IP, 32 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 23 SO, 1 HBP, 1.905 WHIP, 103 ERA+, 5.36 FIP, minus-0.2 fWAR, minus-0.1 bWAR
Quotable: "There's definitely nerves coming over to a new...
The Nationals announced their full 2022 coaching staff today, one that includes four new faces and one new position.
The newcomers to manager Davey Martinez's staff: Darnell Coles (hitting coach), Eric Young Jr. (first base coach), Gary DiSarcina (third base coach) and Ricky Bones (bullpen coach). The first three had previously been reported, with the addition of Bones coming today and coming in conjunction with the shifting of Henry Blanco from bullpen coach to the newly created job of...
PLAYER REVIEW: AUSTIN VOTH
Age on opening day 2022: 29
How acquired: Fifth-round pick, 2013 draft
MLB service time: 2 years, 127 days
2021 salary: $587,700
Contract status: Likely arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026
2021 stats: 4-1, 5.34 ERA, 49 G, 1 GS, 0 CG, 57 1/3 IP, 57 H, 35 R, 34 ER, 10 HR, 28 BB, 59 SO, 1 HBP, 1.483 WHIP, 76 ERA+, 4.90 FIP, minus-0.1 fWAR, minus-0.4 bWAR
Quotable: "My nose is still straight. I'm still pretty good looking, I feel like." - Austin Voth,...
Davey Martinez has added another new member to his staff, hiring Gary DiSarcina as third base coach, making the former infielder and longtime big league coach the third new face brought in by Martinez since the season ended.
The hiring hasn't been formally announced yet, but a source familiar with the decision confirmed it. The Washington Post was first to report the news.
DiSarcina comes to D.C. after four years on the Mets' staff, the last three as third base coach. The 53-year-old was one...
PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE FINNEGAN
Age on opening day 2022: 30
How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2019
MLB service time: 2 years, 0 days
2021 salary: $582,400
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026
2021 stats: 5-9, 3.55 ERA, 68 G, 11 SV, 66 IP, 64 H, 39 R, 26 ER, 9 HR, 34 BB, 68 SO, 2 HBP, 1.485 WHIP, 115 ERA+, 4.52 FIP, 0.1 fWAR, minus-0.6 bWAR
Quotable: "Don't get me wrong, he's been a godsend for us. He's handled the ball for multiple...
PLAYER REVIEW: TANNER RAINEY
Age on opening day 2022: 29
How acquired: Traded from Reds for Tanner Roark, December 2018
MLB service time: 2 years, 126 days
2021 salary: $589,000
Contract status: Likely arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026
2021 stats: 1-3, 7.39 ERA, 38 G, 3 SV, 31 2/3 IP, 29 H, 27 R, 26 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 42 SO, 3 HBP, 1.705 WHIP, 55 ERA+, 5.64 FIP, minus-0.3 fWAR, minus-1.1 bWAR
Quotable: "You know what I like a lot from Rainey right now? He looks way more under...
PLAYER REVIEW: JOE ROSS
Age on opening day 2022: 28
How acquired: Traded with Trea Turner from Padres for Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott, who went to the Rays along with Jake Bauers, René Rivera and Burch Smith for Jose Castillo, Ryan Hanigan, Wil Myers and Gerardo Reyes, who went to the Padres, December 2014
MLB service time: 5 years, 18 days
2021 salary: $1.5 million
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2023
2021 stats: 5-9, 4.17 ERA, 20 G, 19 GS, 0 CG, 108 IP, 98...
PLAYER REVIEW: JOSH ROGERS
Age on opening day 2022: 27
How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, June 2021
MLB service time: 1 year, 1 day
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027
2021 stats: 2-2, 3.28 ERA, 6 GS, 0 CG, 35 2/3 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 7 HR, 14 BB, 22 SO, 2 HBP, 1.290 WHIP, 124 ERA+, 5.83 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, 0.8 bWAR
Quotable: "He's been awesome. He's been an unbelievable teammate. Fun to be around. Really...
PLAYER REVIEW: PAOLO ESPINO
Age on opening day 2022: 35
How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, November 2020
MLB service time: 1 year, 78 days
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027
2021 stats: 5-5, 4.27 ERA, 35 G, 19 GS, 0 CG, 1 SV, 109 2/3 IP, 108 H, 53 R, 52 ER, 19 HR, 25 BB, 92 SO, 1 HBP, 1.213 WHIP, 95 ERA+, 4.46 FIP, 1.1 fWAR, 1.0 bWAR
Quotable: "When I was drafted (in 2006), I thought I was going to be in the...
Eric Young Jr., the former Rockies and Mets outfielder who led the National League in stolen bases eight years ago, will be the Nationals' new first base coach, a source familiar with the decision confirmed.
Young, 36, hasn't officially been named to manager Davey Martinez's staff yet, but a formal announcement of the club's full 2022 coaching staff is expected in the near future. His hiring was first reported by OurEsquina.com, which learned about the news from Young's father, Braves...
PLAYER REVIEW: ERICK FEDDE
Age on opening day 2022: 29
How acquired: First-round pick, 2014 draft
MLB service time: 3 years, 99 days
2021 salary: $575,000
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025
2021 stats: 7-9, 5.47 ERA, 29 G, 27 GS, 0 CG, 133 1/3 IP, 144 H, 90 R, 81 ER, 23 HR, 48 BB, 128 SO, 4 HBP, 1.440 WHIP, 74 ERA+, 4.66 FIP, 1.2 fWAR, minus-1.0 bWAR
Quotable: "Especially the last three or four starts, I thought my stuff has been great. And then I just haven't...
PLAYER REVIEW: STEPHEN STRASBURG
Age on opening day 2022: 33
How acquired: First-round pick, 2009 draft
MLB service time: 11 years, 118 days
2021 salary: $35 million ($11.4 million deferred)
Contract status: Signed for $35 million annually from 2022-26 ($11.4 million deferred each year), free agent in 2027
2021 stats: 1-2, 4.57 ERA, 5 GS, 0 CG, 21 2/3 IP, 16 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 21 SO, 1 HBP, 1.385 WHIP, 90 ERA+, 5.71 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR
Quotable: "He looks great, he feels great....
PLAYER REVIEW: JOSIAH GRAY
Age on opening day 2022: 24
How acquired: Traded with Keibert Ruiz, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey from Dodgers for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, July 2021
MLB service time: 75 days
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2025, free agent in 2028
2021 stats (LA/WSH): 2-2, 5.48 ERA, 14 G, 13 GS, 0 CG, 70 2/3 IP, 63 H, 44 R, 43 ER, 19 HR, 33 BB, 76 SO, 2 HBP, 1.358 WHIP, 75 ERA+, 6.00 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, minus-0.3...
PLAYER REVIEW: PATRICK CORBIN
Age on opening day 2022: 32
How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2018
MLB service time: 9 years, 105 days
2021 salary: $24 million
Contract status: Signed for $23 million in 2022, $24 million in 2023, $35 million ($10 million deferred) in 2024
2021 stats: 9-16, 5.82 ERA, 31 GS, 0 CG, 171 2/3 IP, 192 H, 114 R, 111 ER, 37 HR, 60 BB, 143 SO, 3 HBP, 1.468 WHIP, 70 ERA+, 5.41 FIP, 0.2 fWAR, minus-1.1 bWAR
Quotable: "It's tough right now for him. He's...
PLAYER REVIEW: TRES BARRERA
Age on opening day 2022: 27
How acquired: Sixth-round pick, 2016 draft
MLB service time: 88 days
2021 salary: $570,500
Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2025, free agent in 2028
2021 stats: 30 G, 107 PA, 91 AB, 8 R, 24 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 12 BB, 22 SO, .264 AVG, .374 OBP, .385 SLG, .758 OPS, 111 OPS+, minus-1 DRS, 0.6 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR
Quotable: "When I came up and got sent down after those first three days, Davey...
PLAYER REVIEW: ANDREW STEVENSON
Age on opening day 2022: 27
How acquired: Second-round pick, 2015 draft
MLB service time: 2 years, 127 days
2021 salary: $579,100
Contract status: Possibly arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026
2021 stats: 109 G, 213 PA, 192 AB, 22 R, 44 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, 1 CS, 13 BB, 61 SO, .229 AVG, .294 OBP, .339 SLG, .632 OPS, 74 OPS+, 1 DRS, minus-0.1 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR
Quotable: "I try to just mellow out. The bigger spots, the way I kind of look at...