Soto wins second straight Silver Slugger Award

Soto wins second straight Silver Slugger Award
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...
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What kind of payroll is reasonable to expect from Nats next year?

What kind of payroll is reasonable to expect from Nats next year?
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...
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An offseason of uncertainty begins for Nationals

An offseason of uncertainty begins for Nationals
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...
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Unlikely addition Machado made positive impression

Unlikely addition Machado made positive impression
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...
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Hard-throwing Thompson must locate to make it with Nats

Hard-throwing Thompson must locate to make it with Nats
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...
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Full coaching staff announced, with new position added

Full coaching staff announced, with new position added
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...
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Can Voth still develop into reliable reliever for Nats?

Can Voth still develop into reliable reliever for Nats?
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,...
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Source: DiSarcina will be Nats' new third base coach

Source: DiSarcina will be Nats' new third base coach
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...
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After getting thrown into closer role, where does Finnegan fit?

After getting thrown into closer role, where does Finnegan fit?
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...
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With strong finish, Rainey put himself back in mix for closer job

With strong finish, Rainey put himself back in mix for closer job
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...
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Health in spring will determine Ross' course with Nats

Health in spring will determine Ross' course with Nats
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...
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With surprise September, Rogers earned shot in 2022

With surprise September, Rogers earned shot in 2022
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...
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What role is best for Espino and Nationals in 2022?

What role is best for Espino and Nationals in 2022?
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...
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Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach

Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach
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...
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Have Nats reached a crossroads with erratic Fedde?

Have Nats reached a crossroads with erratic Fedde?
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...
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Nats can hope, but can't count on Strasburg returning to form

Nats can hope, but can't count on Strasburg returning to form
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....
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After up-and-down rookie year, Gray looks to take next step

After up-and-down rookie year, Gray looks to take next step
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...
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Nats have no choice but to try to fix Corbin after awful season

Nats have no choice but to try to fix Corbin after awful season
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...
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Is there still an opportunity for Barrera to make Nats roster?

Is there still an opportunity for Barrera to make Nats roster?
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...
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Stevenson struggles as regular, but thrives off the bench

Stevenson struggles as regular, but thrives off the bench
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...
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