Here’s the latest from the D.C. baseball world, on a day that saw the Nationals defeat the Marlins to record their first three-game win streak of the season…
- If the Nats can’t get back into the postseason race, Stephen Strasburg or Max Scherzer could potentially become trade candidates at the deadline depending on the team’s future direction, ESPN’s Buster Olney writes in a subscriber-only piece. If the Nationals plan to reload for 2020, neither ace will be dealt, though a larger shakeup (and subsequent scaling-back of the team’s payroll) could see Strasburg or Scherzer on the block. Both starter has a hefty salary, however, that will present obstacles to a deal. Strasburg and Scherzer are each owed over $100MM on their contracts, both during the life of those deals and into the future, as per the Nationals’ deferral-heavy payment structure. In Strasburg’s case, he is under contract through 2023 but can also opt out after either this season or the 2020 season, so potential trade suitors could either balk at the remaining salary, or balk at giving up a lot of prospects for a pitcher who could leave as early as this offseason.
- Anibal Sanchez is set to throw a bullpen session tomorrow as he continues to rehab from a hamstring injury. While Sanchez could potentially be activated to start for the Nats on Wednesday, Martinez told reporters (including Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com) that no decision has been made about Wednesday’s starter, and Sanchez could still make a minor league rehab start. The veteran right-hander has gotten off to a tough start this year, posting a 5.10 ERA in his first 42 1/3 innings of 2019.
- Joe Ross was sent down to Triple-A on Saturday, where he will be stretched out once again as a starting pitcher, Martinez told the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier and other reporters. Injuries have limited Ross to just 285 Major League innings over four-plus seasons, and Washington deployed Ross as a reliever this season as he continues to recover from the Tommy John surgery that cost him virtually all of the 2018 campaign. Like many in the Nats bullpen, however, Ross struggled — he posted a 9.22 ERA over 13 2/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts against eight walks. “I think this gives him an opportunity to get comfortable, stretch him out, and hone in,” Martinez said, describing Ross’ shift back to starting pitching as a “longer term” move.
- In his latest video update for FOX Sports (Twitter link), Ken Rosenthal reports that Triple-A manager Randy Knorr is seen by some in the Nationals organization as a natural choice to take over the big league managerial job (at least with an interim tag) if the embattled Davey Martinez is fired. Knorr has worked in a variety of roles for the organization since 2005, including stints as the Nats’ bench coach and bullpen coach, and a manager at multiple levels of the farm system. Rosenthal notes that Knorr’s supporters see him as a potential Brian Snitker-like figure — a longtime organization man who has managed or coached almost everyone on Washington’s roster at one time or another, so a transition from yet another managerial change could be somewhat smoother if a familiar face like Knorr took over.
Nats turning it around now!
Well I hope when Knorr comes up he shaves. What’s up with all these new young managers not shaving? The Rangers manager looks like a homeless person! It’s unprofessional!
That’s a stupid opinion.
What s wrong with you? You sound like an uneducated snob!
Appearance does not equal skill set. Take it easy, as one could easily say you look like a grumpy old man with your “GET OFF MY LAWN” comment.
Lots of negative replies to this. It’s just an opinion, guys. Christ.
Christ wore a beard. He turned out to be out of this world .
Don’t feed the troll, people.
I imagine with a core of Turner, Robles and Sota- a complete tear down is out of the question. Obviously, there is big value in Rendon when the deadline comes.
Soto*
Yeah we know
All this sweep has done is delay the inevitable.
Can Strasburg be hit with a QO still?
Imo, he would get a QO since he has never filed for free agency before.
Yes, if he isn’t traded and then opts out. No, if he’s traded mid-season and then opts out.
Thanks. I couldn’t remember if his prior extension was technically an FA contract or if it was an early extension.
It should be each starter has a hefty salary or both starters have hefty salaries.
If I were Mike Rizzo, I would trade Doolittle, Eaton and Rendon. Don’t wait until the end of July to trade Rendon either. Dave Martinez is not to be blamed for this season but he should still be fired because he cost them a playoff spot last year. I don’t know why the Nationals hire such crappy managers. Davey Johnson, Matt Williams, Johnnie Baker and now Dave Martinez. People say Johnnie should have continued but they fail to realize that Harry Black turned down their one year offer. I think the Nationals would be much better off if they had offered him at least two years. Instead, they got loser Johnnie.
Never heard of Johnnie Baker I have heard of Dusty Baker. Same with Harry Black but I heard of Buddy Black. I guess you can believeitornot
Those are their names. Believe it or not, I’m not much for nicknames.
Ok Mr. Pedant – you are correcting grammar on a free website, and then telling us Johnnie, Davey, Matt, Harry, and Mike are not nicknames?
People have real names. I mean, you aren’t actually called Yep It Is, right?
No It Isn’t
As great as he has been, I don’t see much interest in Scherzer if all of that deferred money comes with him.
Nats would have to eat a significant portion of that, and even so they probably would not get anyone’s top 5 prospect in return. Scherzer’s contract makes him as untradeable as Joey Votto.
Scherzer for Clint Frazier and Loasiga ? Yankees could use a front end starter right now….
I’m laughing at that trade and I’m a Yankee fan. that wouldn’t be fair for the Nationals. Clint is a nice addition to them but with the amount of injuries in our outfield that would be unwise. jonathan loaisiga has not proven his ability to be a trade chip. Clint with someone else with more ability yes. but still why trade something you need.
He’s 34 years old and making 30 million a year for next two years. Not like they are dealing for a young arbitration eligible controllable arm. Yes we need OF but we also are starting Chad Greene as an opener…
He’s also a top tier ace, who has two Cy’s in the last three years (plus a second place finish). You’re not trading for a middle of the road arm.
Clint was a top 15 prospect.
It’s not really a tear down trading Strausburg and Scherzer they will still have talent in Corbin and all the other young players. The thing is you dont want to be the Mets and not know when to rebuild. And the thing is its better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late. So get a ton of prospects get a top 10 pick they could always trade Tendon then resign him and wouldn’t have to worry about a QO costing them. And they would have a top 5 farm and have plenty of money to sign Gerrit Cole and Ryu.
I am aware they won three in a row when I write this.
I try to be fair when talking about the NL East because I do have a bias; but I try to be real. To set this up: In late 2012, I felt the Phillies should blow it up. It was a great run from 2007 to 2011, but high payrolls, plus aging veterans (N/A to Robles and Soto) I saw it as sort of a good time for a good thing to end. I see the Nationals in this spot even with all of their talent. In the Nationals case add the unwillingness to keep a manager. Dusty Baker was the best one they had, but… I also see Rizzo as doing way too much with the day to day, players’ issues (trades when he is angry), and all. I know “firing” Baker was not Rizzo’s choice, but maybe that would have been the time to fight the owners instead of the players.
In my opinion only, and this won’t happen – Rizzo should be fired. 10 years in bad times and good times – they know what they have. Rizzo is simply overrated and lucky because he came in when Harper and Strasburg signed, which was JB’s teams. He is no better than Amaro, Jr. The team should retool/rebuild around Soto, Robles and Rendon (if he is willing to sign). Keep Max for 2019. Trade for younger players and build up kind of like the Braves and Phillies did (and Cubs in the early 2010s). The Nationals are talented, but there is no chemistry. I have to blame Rizzo as that is the constant in all of this.
People talk about how good Johnnie was. I don’t see it. He relied on Sammy Solis too much. They were best when they had a lead after six. Then they brought in Kintzler, Madson and Doolittle. However, you know how it is. Managers get stupid in October. Johnnie brought out Scherzer for the seventh inning of game three against the Dodgers when they were winning 1-0.. Pederson homered and they lost 2-1. People forget about this. They lost in five.. Johnnie was a loser.
He was a lot better than that really. He just lost his mind somewhere in every postseason. It was always something that turned into something huge. If he would have treated the postseason games the exact same way as in-season, he would have been looked at more favorably overall. I am a Dusty fan, but I cannot argue his horrible postseason success,
It’s about the Bullpen repeat bullpen & hiring of mediocre managers – who’s at fault RIZZO.
Been saying this for 3 years – Rizzo the bullpen mess is his doing. No NLCS win – 10 yrs – GONE
Anybody think there is a chance the Braves can get the Nationals to trade away Scherzer?
Anyone can be traded. For the right price.
The Braves have 1,000,000 good pitchers in their farm system. Why? Bring up the AAA kids.
That piece was supposed to be here. How did it get down there?
Just to stick it to the Phillies. Honest question tho, what do you as a Phillies Phan think of Harper’s play so far? How has he been on defense this season? Still having a lot of singles turn into doubles because of how he approaches a ball hit to him? He looked like he was hustling when the braves played them but haven’t seen him since