Mark Zuckerman

Cards hire Maddux; Rendon and Taylor Gold Glove finalists

October 26, 2017, 12:29pm

In electing last week not to bring back Dusty Baker as manager, the Nationals also informed their entire coaching staff their fates would not be determined until a new skipper was hired. Thus, those six men were free to talk to other clubs in the interim and pursue any opportunities made available to them. Today, Mike Maddux seized an opportunity. The Nationals' popular pitching coach of the last two seasons has taken that role with the Cardinals, ensuring his former club will have another...

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Suddenly available, Girardi could be in mix for Nationals job

October 26, 2017, 8:15am

Nationals

If the Nationals want an accomplished manager with postseason success already on his resume, one of the biggest names out there just became available in surprising fashion. Joe Girardi, who won the 2009 World Series and three more playoff series for the Yankees since, was let go this morning by the club that employed him the last 10 seasons, immediately making the 53-year-old the hottest managerial candidate on the open market. Whether that makes him the hottest candidate for the Nats' open...

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Can Nats convince Kendrick to return as bench player in 2018?

October 25, 2017, 9:22pm

Nationals

Can Nats convince Kendrick to return as bench player in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Howie Kendrick, a trade deadline acquisition who delivered for two months but then saw little action in the playoffs. PLAYER REVIEW: HOWIE KENDRICK Age on opening day 2018: 34 How acquired: Traded from Phillies for McKenzie Mills, July 2017 MLB service time: 11 years, 91 days 2017 salary: $10 million Contract status: Free agent 2017 stats: 91 G, 334 PA, 305 AB, 40...

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After seven years with Nats, Werth now faces uncertain future

October 24, 2017, 8:23pm

Nationals

After seven years with Nats, Werth now faces uncertain future

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Jayson Werth, whose seventh (and likely final) season in D.C. didn't go the way he hoped it would. PLAYER REVIEW: JAYSON WERTH Age on opening day 2018: 38 How acquired: Signed as free agent, Dec. 2010 MLB service time: 14 years, 102 days 2017 salary: $21 million Contract status: Free agent. (Nats will be paying him $10 million in deferred salary in 2018.) 2017...

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Breakthrough season changed Nats' outlook on Taylor

October 23, 2017, 8:53pm

Nationals

Breakthrough season changed Nats' outlook on Taylor

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Michael A. Taylor, who for the third straight year was given a chance to play every day and finally made the most of it. PLAYER REVIEW: MICHAEL A. TAYLOR Age on opening day 2018: 27 How acquired: Sixth-round pick, 2009 draft MLB service time: 3 years, 10 days 2017 salary: $557,900 Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2018. Free agent in 2021. 2017 stats: 118 G,...

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Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search

October 23, 2017, 1:17pm

Nationals

Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search

The Nationals have begun the search for a new manager, and they would prefer that search be a quick one. After informing Dusty Baker on Friday morning he wouldn't be retained despite division titles in each of his two seasons in Washington, the Nationals began to compile a list of potential candidates to replace the popular former skipper. They're now beginning the process of zeroing in on a handful of top candidates from that list and beginning to reach out to some for a first round of...

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After eventful 2017, Harper now heads into contract year

October 22, 2017, 4:22pm

Nationals

After eventful 2017, Harper now heads into contract year

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Bryce Harper, who was on track for another MVP award until his scary knee injury in August. PLAYER REVIEW: BRYCE HARPER Age on opening day 2018: 25 How acquired: First-round pick, 2010 draft MLB service time: 5 years, 159 days 2017 salary: $13.625 million Contract status: Signed for $21.625 million in 2018. Free agent in 2019. 2017 stats: 111 G, 492 PA, 420 AB, 95...

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Cora reportedly out of the mix for Nationals job

October 21, 2017, 9:19pm

Nationals

One of the Nationals' preferred candidates for their now-vacant managerial position appears to already be headed elsewhere. And even if he's not, the Nats would have to wait until the end of the World Series to hire him. Alex Cora has been on the Nationals' radar, but the popular Astros bench coach already interviewed with the Red Sox and is expected to be named Boston's new manager once Houston's season is over, according to reports by The Athletic and NBC Sports Boston. The Astros'...

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Nats' two-year managerial policy leaves them in a familiar place

October 20, 2017, 9:22pm

Nationals

Nats' two-year managerial policy leaves them in a familiar place

Let's for a moment try to view the Nationals' managerial situation in a vacuum. Block out past history and reputation of both the organization and of Dusty Baker. Forget about dollar amounts. Don't consider who else might be available for the job right now. Baker's Nationals won 95 games and a division title in 2016, then lost a heartbreaker of a five-game National League Division Series to the Dodgers, with all three losses in the series coming by one run. Baker's team then won 97 games...

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Rizzo: Managerial change was "baseball decision," not financial

October 20, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals

Rizzo: Managerial change was "baseball decision," not financial

Dusty Baker's unsettled contract situation hovered over the Nationals all season, but throughout it all, both Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo expressed confidence not only that both sides wanted the manager to return in 2018 but also that a deal was likely to get done once the season ended. Only two weeks ago, as his team prepared for the National League Division Series, Rizzo continued to express that same confidence, even though they had not yet engaged in contract negotiations. "We...

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Baker out as Nationals manager after two seasons

October 20, 2017, 8:37am

Nationals

Dusty Baker is out as Nationals manager, leaving the franchise yet again looking for a new clubhouse and dugout leader. The club made the surprising announcement this afternoon, electing not to bring back Baker, who had won back-to-back National League East titles and an average of 96 wins per season. The 68-year-old Baker, whose teams lost in Game 5 of the National League Division Series each of his two seasons, was not under contract beyond 2017. "The Lerner family, on behalf of the entire...

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Can Nats commit to Wieters as their No. 1 catcher in 2018?

October 19, 2017, 11:52am

Nationals

Can Nats commit to Wieters as their No. 1 catcher in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Matt Wieters, who struggled in his first season in D.C. but was well-liked by the pitching staff. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT WIETERS Age on opening day 2018: 31 How acquired: Signed as free agent, February 2017 MLB service time: 8 years, 129 days 2017 salary: $10.5 million Contract status: Holds $10.5 million player option for 2018. Free agent in 2019. 2017 stats: 123 G,...

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After MVP-caliber season, time to think long-term with Rendon

October 18, 2017, 11:31am

Nationals

After MVP-caliber season, time to think long-term with Rendon

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Anthony Rendon, who completed an elite all-around season that made him a legitimate MVP candidate. PLAYER REVIEW: ANTHONY RENDON Age on opening day 2018: 27 How acquired: First-round pick, 2011 draft MLB service time: 4 years, 130 days 2017 salary: $5.8 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2018. Free agent in 2020. 2017 stats: 147 G, 605 PA, 508 AB, 81...

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Turner again showed off elite skills, but still has room to grow

October 17, 2017, 11:11am

Nationals

Turner again showed off elite skills, but still has room to grow

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Trea Turner, whose first full big league season was interrupted by injuries. PLAYER REVIEW: TREA TURNER Age on opening day 2018: 24 How acquired: Acquired from Padres with Joe Ross, with Nats trading Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott to Rays in three-team deal, December 2014 MLB service time: 1 year, 135 days 2017 salary: $554,900 Contract status: Under team control...

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With another big year at plate, Murphy proved he's the real deal

October 16, 2017, 7:32am

Nationals

With another big year at plate, Murphy proved he's the real deal

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Daniel Murphy, who picked up right where he left off in 2016 and kept producing at the plate in 2017. PLAYER REVIEW: DANIEL MURPHY Age on opening day 2018: 33 How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2016 MLB service time: 8 years, 109 days 2017 salary: $12 million Contract status: Signed for $17.5 million in 2018 ($5.5 million deferred until 2019-2020). Free...

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After big-time comeback, Zimmerman will try to sustain form

October 15, 2017, 8:08pm

Nationals

After big-time comeback, Zimmerman will try to sustain form

As we transition into offseason mode, we'll be reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We begin today with Ryan Zimmerman, who in the wake of the worst season of his career enjoyed perhaps the best season of his career. PLAYER REVIEW: RYAN ZIMMERMAN Age on opening day 2018: 33 How acquired: First-round pick, 2005 draft MLB service time: 12 years, 32 days 2017 salary: $14 million Contract status: Signed for $14 million in 2018, $18 million in 2019. Club holds $18 million...

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The Nationals' biggest offseason questions

October 14, 2017, 9:13pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been in this position before, entering the offseason following an abrupt and disappointing exit from the postseason, facing a handful of significant questions that need to be addressed in the weeks and months to come. There's the managerial situation to sort out. There are some veterans about to become free agents. There are some really important players about to enter their contract years. And there are a few holes that need to be filled. So as we transition into offseason...

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Looking at the NLDS by the numbers

October 14, 2017, 4:59am

Nationals

It's never easy to look back and wonder, "What if?" Especially when the sting of defeat is still fresh in your mind. It's always easier to look ahead and wonder, "What's next?" than dredge up bad memories. And we will start looking ahead. Tomorrow. Today, we're going to take one final look back at a National League Division Series that defied most logic. The Nationals lost the series, three games to two, to the Cubs. But as you'll see, the numbers pretty much entirely tilted in...

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What does the future now hold for Baker and Werth?

October 13, 2017, 8:49am

Nationals

What does the future now hold for Baker and Werth?

In those immediate moments after elimination, once the reality sets in and everyone understands the season has just ended, it's impossible not to start wondering about the future. And for two of the most prominent members of the Nationals, the future is awfully cloudy in the wake of Thursday night's Game 5 loss to the Cubs. Did Dusty Baker just manage his last game for the Nats (or for anyone)? Did Jayson Werth just play his last game for the Nats (or for anyone)? It'll be a little while...

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Nationals once again left to make sense of an NLDS loss

October 12, 2017, 11:00pm

Nationals

Most of them had been through this at least once before, some twice, a select few three times. The Nationals have grown accustomed to - and, quite frankly, tired of - standing inside a dead-silent clubhouse late at night following an agonizing loss in the National League Division Series and trying to make sense of it all. They did it after the ninth-inning fiasco against the Cardinals in 2012. They did it after a poorly played series against the Giants in 2014. They did it after a dramatic...