Mark Zuckerman

Nats have multiple paths in search to bolster infield

November 05, 2020, 8:14pm

The Nationals need a big bat, someone to hit behind Trea Turner and Juan Soto, and the most logical position for that person to play is a corner outfield position. But it doesn't have to work out quite like that. Just as, let's say, a presidential candidate has more than one path to 270 electoral votes, general manager Mike Rizzo has more than one path to try to boost his club's lineup. The state of the Nationals infield is very much in flux as the offseason begins. We know Turner is...

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Soto wins first Silver Slugger Award of career

November 05, 2020, 2:01pm

Nationals

Soto wins first Silver Slugger Award of career

Juan Soto's massive offensive numbers in a shortened season weren't enough to earn the Nationals star left fielder a top-three finish in the MVP race, but they were enough to earn him a Silver Slugger Award. Soto's victory was revealed tonight, the first of a career that figures to include plenty more of these awards and perhaps an MVP or two as well. He was one of three National League outfielders to win the honor, joining the Dodgers' Mookie Betts and the Braves' Ronald AcuÃ±a Jr. atop...

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Barrett, Sanchez, Snyder get spring training invites

November 05, 2020, 5:20am

Nationals

Barrett, Sanchez, Snyder get spring training invites

Three mainstays in the Nationals organization will be back for another spring training with the club. Aaron Barrett, AdriÃ¡n Sanchez and Brandon Snyder are among the group of players who will receive non-roster invitations to West Palm Beach next spring, a source confirmed. All figure to face long odds of making the big league roster, but that's never been a deterrent for any of these veterans. Barrett, who turns 33 in January, has participated in every Nationals spring training since 2011,...

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Catching market includes one big star, few other options

November 04, 2020, 12:56pm

Nationals

Catching market includes one big star, few other options

It's perhaps not their No. 1 need this winter, but the Nationals absolutely need to add another catcher this winter. Unless they're willing to enter 2021 with Yan Gomes as the clear-cut starter and either Raudy Read or Tres Barrera as his backup, the Nats are going to have to acquire somebody. That somebody could be a frontline starter who relegates Gomes to the bench. Or it could be somebody who shares the job with Gomes, much as Kurt Suzuki did the last two seasons. The good news: There's...

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Nats could go in one of several directions for rotation help

November 03, 2020, 11:02am

Nationals

Nats could go in one of several directions for rotation help

We looked at potential free agent outfielders that might interest the Nationals on Tuesday. Today we turn our attention to their other big need this winter: a No. 4 starter to replace the departing AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez. Some teams don't prioritize a No. 4 starter. The Nationals do. Look back at their best seasons over the last near-decade, and they've pretty much always had a good fourth starter. Look back at their worst seasons during this run, and they've pretty much always had a problem...

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No shortage of free agent outfielders for Nats to consider

November 02, 2020, 5:50pm

Nationals

No shortage of free agent outfielders for Nats to consider

Rank the Nationals' most significant needs this winter and there's no debate what tops the list: a big bat. Someone who can hit behind Trea Turner and Juan Soto. Someone who can lengthen the lineup. Someone who can fill the void created by Anthony Rendon's departure last winter. (And, yes, obviously this all could've been avoided if the Nats just re-signed Rendon, but there's no sense re-litigating that one now.) This big bat could come in a variety of forms and could play one of several...

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Where the Nats' payroll stands as the offseason begins

November 01, 2020, 7:17pm

Nationals

Where the Nats' payroll stands as the offseason begins

We raised the question Sunday of the Nationals' approach to this winter, whether they might be willing to go against the expected grain of most of the league and aggressively pursue free agents while everyone else attempts to drag the process out and save money. We have no idea at this point if it's even within the realm of possibility, mostly because we haven't heard a word from the front office about the financial state of the organization at the end of a year in which there were no fans...

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As others cut costs, should Nats look to spend big this winter?

October 31, 2020, 8:51pm

Nationals

As others cut costs, should Nats look to spend big this winter?

The start of free agency in baseball has long failed to live up to whatever advance hype comes along with it. If the first day of free agency in the NFL, NBA and NHL resembles Walmart on Black Friday, in Major League Baseball it looks more like a group of seniors strolling through the mall concourse at 9 a.m. on a random Tuesday. Owners don't send their private jets out at the stroke of midnight to pick up potential big-name targets. Agents prefer to drag the whole process out and wait for the...

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One year later, it's time for new-look Nats to look ahead

October 30, 2020, 9:17pm

Nationals

One year later, it's time for new-look Nats to look ahead

They celebrated the anniversary of the Nationals' Game 7 World Series victory Friday night, commemorating the moment at 11:50 p.m. when Daniel Hudson struck out Michael Brantley on a down-and-in slider to set off a wild celebration at Minute Maid Park in Houston, at Nationals Park in Washington, and in homes and bars throughout the region. My god, has it really been a year? It has. And so much of what we're experiencing today bears so little resemblance to that glorious moment on Oct. 30,...

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Is there any place for Cabrera on Nats' roster next year?

October 29, 2020, 9:20pm

Nationals

Is there any place for Cabrera on Nats' roster next year?

Our offseason player review series continues today with AsdrÃºbal Cabrera, who struggled to consistently produce this season. PLAYER REVIEW: ASDRÃšBAL CABRERA Age on opening day 2021: 35 How acquired: Signed as free agent, August 2019 MLB service time: 13 years, 27 days 2020 salary: $2,685,000 (prorated $1,110,926) Contract status: Free agent 2020 stats: 52 G, 213 PA, 190 AB, 23 R, 46 H, 9 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 19 BB, 40 SO, .242 AVG, .305 OBP, .447 SLG, .753 OPS, 98 OPS+, 1...

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If he returns, how would Kendrick fit into Nats' 2021 plans?

October 28, 2020, 6:19pm

Nationals

If he returns, how would Kendrick fit into Nats' 2021 plans?

Our offseason player review series continues today with Howie Kendrick, who faces a big career decision after becoming a free agent Wednesday. PLAYER REVIEW: HOWIE KENDRICK Age on opening day 2021: 37 How acquired: Traded from Phillies for McKenzie Mills and international bonus slot money, July 2017 MLB service time: 14 years, 91 days 2020 salary: $4 million (prorated $1,481,481) Contract status: Free agent after Nats declined $6.5 million mutual option (paid $2.25 million buyout) 2020 stats:...

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Knorr returns to staff as Nats finalize coaching changes

October 28, 2020, 11:59am

Nationals

Knorr returns to staff as Nats finalize coaching changes

The Nationals finalized their 2021 coaching staff today, filling the one vacancy that hadn't yet been publicly announced with one of the longest-tenured members of their organization. Randy Knorr, who has been a player, coach or minor league manager with the Nats franchise since 2001 in Montreal, will join the big league staff for the fourth time in the last decade-plus, serving as first base coach for the first time. Bob Henley, after a one-year stint at first base, will move back to the...

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Nats decline options on Eaton, SÃ¡nchez, Kendrick, Thames

October 28, 2020, 11:15am

Nationals

Nats decline options on Eaton, SÃ¡nchez, Kendrick, Thames

The end of the World Series last night meant the start of the offseason today, and the Nationals wasted no time making the first of many consequential decisions they'll face during what should be a busy winter. The Nats declined to pick up the 2021 contract options they held on Adam Eaton and AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez and declined to pick up their portions of the 2021 mutual options on Howie Kendrick and Eric Thames. All four veteran players immediately become free agents and are allowed to begin...

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Harrison proved worth in short time, earned new deal for 2021

October 27, 2020, 11:20am

Nationals

Harrison proved worth in short time, earned new deal for 2021

Our offseason player review series continues today with Josh Harrison, who quickly made a positive impact after his early season acquisition. PLAYER REVIEW: JOSH HARRISON Age on opening day 2021: 33 How acquired: Signed as free agent, July 2020 MLB service time: 8 years, 168 days 2020 salary: $1 million (prorated $348,253) Contract status: Signed for $1 million in 2021, free agent in 2022 2020 stats: 33 G, 91 PA, 79 AB, 11 R, 22 H, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB, 2 CS, 6 BB, 12 SO, .278 AVG,...

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GarcÃa dazzled at times, but still has a lot of room to grow

October 26, 2020, 7:05pm

Nationals

GarcÃa dazzled at times, but still has a lot of room to grow

Our offseason player review series continues today with Luis GarcÃa, who unexpectedly became the Nationals' starting second baseman ahead of schedule. PLAYER REVIEW: LUIS GARCÃA Age on opening day 2021: 20 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016 MLB service time: 105 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $140,175) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2020 stats: 40 G, 139 PA, 134 AB, 18 R, 37 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 16 RBI,...

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Stevenson threw himself into 2021 mix with torrid finish

October 25, 2020, 8:34pm

Nationals

Stevenson threw himself into 2021 mix with torrid finish

Our offseason player review series continues today with Andrew Stevenson, who spent most of the summer at the alternate camp site in Fredericksburg, then wowed the Nationals after his late-season promotion. PLAYER REVIEW: ANDREW STEVENSON Age on opening day 2021: 26 How acquired: Second-round pick, 2015 draft MLB service time: 1 year, 122 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $71,645) Contract status: Under team control, likely arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 15 G,...

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How should Nats evaluate McGowin's electric September?

October 23, 2020, 12:10pm

Nationals

How should Nats evaluate McGowin's electric September?

Our offseason player review series continues today with Kyle McGowin, who emerged out of the blue this summer to be an at-times dominant reliever. PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE McGOWIN Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Traded with Austin Adams from Angels for Danny Espinosa, December 2016 MLB service time: 139 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $80,990) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 9 G, 1 SV, 11 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6...

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Once healthy and in rhythm, Suero was effective for Nats

October 23, 2020, 10:57am

Nationals

Once healthy and in rhythm, Suero was effective for Nats

Our offseason player review series continues today with Wander Suero, who opened the season on the COVID-19 injured list but found his rhythm by September. PLAYER REVIEW: WANDER SUERO Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, February 2010 MLB service time: 2 years, 123 days 2020 salary: $582,200 (prorated $215,630) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025 2020 stats: 2-0, 3.80 ERA, 22 G, 0 SV, 23 2/3 IP, 20 H, 10...

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In reversal, Long will return as Nationals' hitting coach

October 22, 2020, 2:00pm

Nationals

Kevin Long will be back as the Nationals' hitting coach after all. Long and the Nats agreed to reunite on a one-year deal, a source familiar with the terms confirmed this afternoon, a surprising reversal from what appeared to be a parting of ways between the two sides nearly two weeks ago. Long, like everyone else on Davey Martinez's coaching staff, had a contract that was set to expire Oct. 31. Martinez, who signed a long-term extension in September, has been seeking to have more say in the...

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Finnegan turned plenty of heads in rookie season

October 22, 2020, 12:08pm

Nationals

Finnegan turned plenty of heads in rookie season

Our offseason player review series continues today with Kyle Finnegan, who turned plenty of heads as a 28-year-old rookie reliever. PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE FINNEGAN Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2019 MLB service time: 1 year 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $208,704) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 1-0, 2.92 ERA, 25 G, 0 SV, 24 2/3 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 27 SO, 1 HBP, 1.378 WHIP,...