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Dreading three more years of Soto speculation

November 11, 2021, 6:07pm

At the end of a week that included the latest over-the-top session between agent Scott Boras and reporters at the general managers' meetings in California, a response from Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, another Silver Slugger Award, the prospect of an MVP award coming in a few more days and previously unfathomable dollar figures being thrown out there to suggest what a Juan Soto contract extension might look like, you can't help but be left with one prevailing thought. Ugh, are we really about to...

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Soto wins second straight Silver Slugger Award

November 11, 2021, 9:45am

Nationals

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?

November 10, 2021, 6:06pm

Nationals

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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Soto named National League Silver Slugger

November 11, 2021, 2:51pm

Nationals

Soto named National League Silver Slugger

For the second consecutive season, Juan Soto was honored as a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner for National League outfielders. Louisville Slugger made the announcement Thursday on MLB Network. Soto joins Ian Desmond (2012-14), Anthony Rendon (2014, 2019), Daniel Murphy (2016-17) and Ryan Zimmerman (2009-10) as the only players in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to win more than one Silver Slugger Award. Soto, 23, led all National League outfielders in batting average (.313),...

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An offseason of uncertainty begins for Nationals

November 09, 2021, 5:45pm

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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Soto named a finalist for NL MVP

November 08, 2021, 3:40pm

Nationals

Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is one of three finalists for the National League Most Valuable Player, his status announced this evening during an MLB Network broadcast devoted to unveiling finalists for awards voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Soto is joined by two other noted sluggers, the Phillies' Bryce Harper and the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. The winner will be announced live on MLB Network on Thursday, Nov. 18. This is the second time Soto has been announced as...

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Updates on Nats prospects in Arizona Fall League

November 08, 2021, 9:50am

Nationals

Updates on Nats prospects in Arizona Fall League

The development of prospects is a vital part of any rebuilding team and the Arizona Fall League presents teams with an opportunity to send a handful of their minor league players to continue that process after the conclusions of their regular seasons. Whether they missed time due to injuries or coaches want to see them play more, the AFL is a great chance for prospects to accumulate more innings or more at-bats against other top prospects across the sport. The Nationals have eight players...

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A few thoughts on Henry Blanco's new role on Nats staff (updated)

November 06, 2021, 10:33am

Nationals

A few thoughts on Henry Blanco's new role on Nats staff (updated)

Coaches are the unsung heroes in the major leagues, spending long hours before and after games, working with multiple players with different skill sets to reach their full potential. Many a time, I've arrived at a ballpark at 2 p.m. to find a hitting coach working with a batter in a session that started an hour or more earlier, or a pitching coach overseeing a bullpen session with a hurler working to perfect a new pitch. Simply put, most fans don't see the work that goes into what happens...

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Juan Soto named a finalist for 2021 National League MVP award

November 08, 2021, 3:46pm

Nationals

Juan Soto named a finalist for 2021 National League MVP award

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was named one of three finalists for the 2021 National League Most Valuable Player award, announced Monday on MLB Network. It is Soto's second time being named a finalist for a Baseball Writers' Association of America award, as he finished second in the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year award voting. The winners of the Most Valuable Player awards will be announced live on MLB Network on Thursday, November 18. Other finalists include Philadelphia...

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How will the Nats approach finding a new closer?

November 04, 2021, 8:24am

Nationals

How will the Nats approach finding a new closer?

Watching everyone's memories of the 2019 postseason run, a World Series win in Game 7 in Houston on Howie Kendrick's clanger and the ensuing celebratory parade in D.C. has been a blast. I've always preferred memories over memorabilia, because memories can't be bought, sold or traded. They'll be with us until the day we die. Man, what a fun postseason we had two years ago, full of memories to last a lifetime. But the 2021 campaign is over, and it's time to throw another log into the hot...

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Coles brings track record of success to Nationals

November 06, 2021, 5:39am

Nationals

When word got out that Kevin Long would be leaving D.C. to take the hitting coach job in Philadelphia, Darnell Coles must have had a keen eye on the opening with the Nationals. Not only for the opportunity to rejoin the organization with which he started his coaching career and to be alongside longtime friend Davey Martinez in the dugout, but also for the chance to work with one of baseball's best hitters in Juan Soto. (Not to mention a power switch-hitter in Josh Bell and a core of young...

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Nats claim PÃ©rez off waivers from Guardians, outright McGowin

November 05, 2021, 12:43pm

Nationals

Nats claim PÃ©rez off waivers from Guardians, outright McGowin

The Nationals tweaked their 40-man roster Friday afternoon, claiming left-hander Francisco PÃ©rez off waivers from the Guardians. PÃ©rez made his major league debut for the Indians in 2021, working to a 4.05 ERA in four relief outings. He was tagged for three runs in 1 1/3 innings in his debut on Aug. 12 at home against the A's, then turned in three scoreless appearances in September, covering 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic will retain his rookie status at least...

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Unlikely addition Machado made positive impression

November 04, 2021, 7:15am

Nationals

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

November 03, 2021, 6:42pm

Nationals

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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Nationals claim Francisco PÃ©rez off waivers from Guardians

November 05, 2021, 12:57pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed pitcher Francisco PÃ©rez off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Additionally, the Nationals outrighted right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. PÃ©rez, 24, went 4-0 with three saves and a 1.87 ERA in 30 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2021. He struck out 82 batters in 53.0 innings pitched while...

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Full coaching staff announced, with new position added

November 03, 2021, 8:05am

Nationals

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?

November 02, 2021, 9:04pm

Nationals

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

November 02, 2021, 7:27am

Nationals

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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Is 34-year-old Hernandez a left fielder, pinch-hitter or DH?

October 19, 2021, 8:53pm

Nationals

Is 34-year-old Hernandez a left fielder, pinch-hitter or DH?

PLAYER REVIEW: YADIEL HERNANDEZ Age on opening day 2022: 34 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, October 2016 MLB service time: 1 year, 28 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2021 stats: 112 G, 289 PA, 264 AB, 33 R, 72 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 3 SB, 0 CS, 22 BB, 59 SO, .273 AVG, .329 OBP, .413 SLG, .742 OPS, 103 OPS+, minus-8 DRS, 0.2 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR Quotable: "We don't know - I don't know - what's...

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Thomas surprisingly put himself into Nats' potential plan

October 18, 2021, 6:07pm

Nationals

Thomas surprisingly put himself into Nats' potential plan

PLAYER REVIEW: LANE THOMAS Age on opening day 2022: 26 How acquired: Traded from Cardinals for Jon Lester, July 2021 MLB service time: 2 years, 14 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2021 stats (STL/WSH): 77 G, 264 PA, 226 AB, 35 R, 53 H, 15 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB, 3 CS, 37 BB, 63 SO, .235 AVG, .341 OBP, .412 SLG, .752 OPS, 107 OPS+, minus-2 DRS, 0.6 fWAR, 0.9 bWAR Quotable: "At the end of the day, I always knew...