nationals

Amid lockout, prospects learning "Nationals Way" in camp

February 26, 2022, 6:38pm

They've been assembled in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the last week, wearing Nationals uniforms, taking the fields outside The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, throwing bullpen sessions, taking batting practice, having fielding and defensive fundamentals pounded into their heads. They're just not big leaguers. Or, more specifically, part of big league camp. As the lockout drags on and owners and players careen towards a do-or-die moment Monday that could result in the postponement of opening...

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What's going to happen once lockout ends?

February 25, 2022, 4:17pm

Nationals

What's going to happen once lockout ends?

It's a matter of when, not if, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement and the lockout ends. Spring will bloom and a new baseball season will be underway. The real question is what is going to happen once the lockout does, in fact, end? It wasn't our direct topic of conversation, but that question was discussed a bit on this week's episode of the "MASN All Access Podcast." I came up with three things that fall under that...

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Kevin Frandsen returns to Washington as MASN color commentator

January 20, 2022, 7:18am

Nationals

Kevin Frandsen returns to Washington as MASN color commentator

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and Washington Nationals today named former player Kevin Frandsen as the network's color commentator for Nationals television coverage. Frandsen joins the MASN booth after four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies radio broadcast. He was a member of Washington's 2014 National League East Division championship team during his Major League playing career, which also included stops in San Francisco (2006-09, 2015), Los Angeles (AL) (2010) and Philadelphia...

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Did the 1994-95 strike ultimately help bring MLB to D.C.?

February 24, 2022, 6:06pm

Nationals

Did the 1994-95 strike ultimately help bring MLB to D.C.?

Baseball is perhaps only a few days away from an event that hasn't been experienced in 27 years, one the commissioner himself recently said would be "disastrous" for the sport. Major League Baseball has said if it and the MLB Players Association can't agree to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement by Monday, some regular season games will be canceled. Whether that actually proves to be true remains to be seen, because the MLBPA insists the Feb. 28 deadline set forth by commissioner...

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Nationals announce Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award

February 24, 2022, 11:03am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced the winner of the second annual Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award on Thursday. The award is given annually to the Washington Nationals scout who represents the integrity, character and work ethic exemplified by Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo's late father, Phil Rizzo. Jay Robertson, Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, is this year's winner, announced by Mike...

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Thursday morning Nats Q and A

February 23, 2022, 7:36pm

Nationals

Well, we've just about reached the point of no return. For nearly three months, we've speculated the lockout likely wouldn't end until the two sides faced a significant deadline: the potential loss of regular season games. And now, alas, we are on the verge of reaching that point. Major League Baseball reiterated Wednesday that if a deal is not in place by Monday, opening day will not proceed as scheduled March 31, adding that any games lost would not be made up and players would not be paid...

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Which Nationals will be worthy of number retirement?

February 22, 2022, 6:13pm

Nationals

There are, as you know, 30 major league clubs. But did you know only one of those clubs has never retired the jersey number of a player or manager who wore its uniform? Yep, it's the Nationals. The Nats, of course, have retired No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, same as every MLB franchise. But they have not retired the number of anyone who actually played for them. Which is understandable, given the fact they've only existed for 17 seasons and every other MLB franchise has existed for at...

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What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?

February 21, 2022, 7:08pm

Nationals

What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?

If you're the optimistic sort, you probably looked at Monday's face-to-face meetings between Major League Baseball owners and player representatives, which took up most of the afternoon in Jupiter, Fla., as encouraging news. At last they two sides were talking in person, with actual participants involved, extending and reacting to competing offers, caucusing in separate corners for a while, then returning to present counteroffers before breaking for the day. If you're the pessimistic type,...

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DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years

February 20, 2022, 6:20pm

Nationals

DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years

Whether the lockout ends later this week, later this month or just some time way later down the road, we do already know one significant change that appears to be coming to all of Major League Baseball. For all the rancor between the league and the players over a host of issues, the one hot-button topic they seem to agree on is the designated hitter. Despite more than 120 years of established history with pitchers batting for themselves, the National League is poised to make the DH a permanent...

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What would a condensed spring training look like?

February 19, 2022, 5:35pm

Nationals

What would a condensed spring training look like?

We've tried to stay optimistic around here for the last 2 1/2 months, so until someone gives us legitimate reason not to be, we'll stay optimistic and hope Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association work out a deal within the next week and ensure opening day will proceed March 31 as planned. Even if that happens, though, it's going to be a wild scramble for everyone to get ready for spring training, open camps and get the proper work in to prepare players for the regular...

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Spring training games delayed until at least March 5

February 18, 2022, 10:33am

Nationals

Spring training games delayed until at least March 5

What had already been widely understood was made official by Major League Baseball this afternoon: Spring training is delayed due to the ongoing labor battle that has yet to produce a new collective bargaining agreement. With camps across Florida and Arizona supposed to open earlier this week, and with the Grapefruit and Cactus league schedules set to commence Feb. 26, a postponement had become inevitable. In its formal announcement today, MLB - which enacted a lockout of the players when the...

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Who backs up Bell at first base?

February 18, 2022, 7:33am

Nationals

Now that the celebration of Ryan Zimmerman's retirement has had its moment in the spotlight - and don't worry, I'm sure there will be plenty more celebrations this season and in the years to come - it's time for the Nationals to look ahead as to what their future looks like without their face of the franchise. The long-term ramifications are still to be determined. But as it pertains to the 2022 season, Zimmerman's retirement leaves an immediate hole to be filled on the Nats roster: backup...

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Missing the simple pleasures of spring training

February 17, 2022, 6:35pm

Nationals

Missing the simple pleasures of spring training

An old tweet of mine popped up Thursday. Exactly two years old, to be precise. It featured a slow-motion video of the Nationals holding their now-infamous "Cabbage Race" outside their spring training clubhouse. Sean Doolittle, designated closer for the team captained by Max Scherzer, was last to receive a head of cabbage that made its way all the way down a line of teammates and slammed it to the ground just before Daniel Hudson, closing for Stephen Strasburg's team, slammed his. It set off...

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Nats' offer was reasonable, but so was Soto's response

February 16, 2022, 6:15pm

Nationals

Nats' offer was reasonable, but so was Soto's response

The 13-year, $350 million offer the Nationals made to Juan Soto shortly before the lockout began was a reasonable move by the organization. And Soto's decision to turn down that gargantuan offer was just as reasonable a move. What does all that mean in the big picture? It means it's going to take a historic contract to keep Soto in D.C., and it's probably not going to happen until he has the opportunity to field offers from 29 other clubs as a free agent following the 2024 season. And a...

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Face of franchise stayed true to himself through the end

February 15, 2022, 7:11pm

Nationals

Face of franchise stayed true to himself through the end

The Nationals drafted Ryan Zimmerman on June 7, 2005, making the lanky third baseman from the University of Virginia the No. 4 pick in the country. The Nationals also signed Zimmerman on June 7, 2005, immediately agreeing with the 20-year-old on a $2.975 million signing bonus that would allow him to begin his professional career right away and ultimately allow him to reach the big leagues for good only three months later. "I didn't want to be one of those guys that sits out the whole...

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Statements from Nationals on Ryan Zimmerman's retirement

February 15, 2022, 1:27pm

Nationals

Following Ryan Zimmerman's retirement announcement on Tuesday afternoon, the Washington Nationals released the following statements: Statement from Mark D. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals: "On behalf of my family and the entire Washington Nationals organization, we would like to congratulate Ryan on a tremendous career and thank him for his contributions both on the field and in our community. Ryan will forever be Mr. National. From the walk-off home runs, to...

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Zimmerman announces retirement after standout career

February 15, 2022, 10:58am

Nationals

Zimmerman announces retirement after standout career

Ryan Zimmerman could've kept playing. But after 17 years with the Nationals, countless franchise records, a World Series title and a fitting farewell on the final day of the 2021 season, there really was nothing left to prove. So the face of the Nationals since the franchise made him its first draft pick in 2005 made it official today: He's retiring after a remarkable career with one organization that has become increasingly exceptional in the modern sports world. "Although my baseball...

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Was Adon's impressive debut a sign of things to come?

February 14, 2022, 6:30pm

Nationals

Was Adon's impressive debut a sign of things to come?

As the lockout drags on, we're taking this opportunity to break down some players in the Nationals organization who haven't garnered as many headlines. Today we look at right-hander Joan Adon, who spent most of 2021 in the low minor leagues but made a big impression in his major league debut on the season's final day. ... RHP JOAN ADON Bats/Throws: R/R Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 242 lbs. Age on opening day 2022: 23 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016 Service time: 1...

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Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues

February 13, 2022, 8:07pm

Nationals

Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues

The National Football League crowned a new champion Sunday night, the Rams winning their first Super Bowl in 22 years (when they still played in St. Louis), making this their first Lombardi Trophy while representing Los Angeles. And they did so by beating a Bengals franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years, a franchise still seeking its first title after this heartbreaking loss. The NFL, with its salary cap and even distribution of television money (something it can do...

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Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?

February 12, 2022, 6:27pm

Nationals

Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?

Nobody really expected Major League Baseball's latest offer to players to bring an immediate end to the lockout, but there was hope it would at least spark more aggressive negotiations between the two warring parties as the clock ticks down to the point of no return. Based on the immediate reaction widely reported Saturday, it didn't achieve that goal. And that's only going to leave more people around the sport worried the season might not actually start on time. We don't have to delve into...