NL Notes: Padres, Preller’s Winter, Cubs, Extension Talks, Shelby Miller
2021/03/nl-notes-padres-prellers-winter-cubs-extension-talks-shelby-miller.htmlAfter months - years, even - of trade speculation around their star core, the Cubs see varying levels of uncertainty around the respective futures of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, or Kris Bryant, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago.
Offseason In Review: Chicago Cubs
2021/03/offseason-in-review-chicago-cubs-13.htmlThat makes sense, as the Cubs lined up the contract years of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez to coincide in 2021.
Central Notes: Rizzo, Mondesi, Reds, Cardinals
2021/03/central-notes-rizzo-mondesi-reds-cardinals.htmlCubs cornerstone Anthony Rizzo is scheduled to become a free agent next offseason, but the three-time All-Star first baseman said Friday he's "optimistic" about reaching an extension with the club, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com tweets.
2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
2021/03/2021-22-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings.htmlPlayers such as Lance McCullers Jr., Kevin Gausman, Marcus Stroman, Dylan Bundy, Anthony Rizzo, and Lance Lynn might comprise the…
Offseason In Review: Washington Nationals
2021/03/offseason-in-review-washington-nationals-10.htmlGeneral manager Mike Rizzo is no stranger to generating winter headlines, but there were no true blockbuster additions to the Washington roster this offseason, as the Nats (like most teams around baseball) took a more measured approach to spending in response to the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
What The Nationals See In Joe Ross
2021/03/what-the-nationals-see-in-joe-ross.htmlGM Mike Rizzo knows the best parts of Ross as well.
NL Notes: Jeffress, Nationals, Varsho, Howard
2021/03/nl-notes-jeffress-nationals-varsho-howard.htmlThe Nationals' release of Jeremy Jeffress yesterday carried some mystery, both because it came so early in Spring Training (and within three weeks of Jeffress signing with the Nats) and because GM Mike Rizzo used the odd phrasing of describing the release as due to "personnel reasons." Rizzo didn't provide much further clarification in speaking with Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com and other reporters today, apart from saying that Jeffress' release was "an employment issue" and not related to on-field performance.
Nationals Will Make Extension Offers To Juan Soto, Trea Turner In Near Future
2021/03/nationals-will-make-extension-offers-to-juan-soto-trea-turner-in-near-future.htmlPer MLB.com's Jessica Camerato (via Twitter), GM Mike Rizzo said earlier today, "We’ve discussed internally with ownership about it.
Nationals Release Jeremy Jeffress
2021/03/nationals-release-jeremy-jeffress.htmlThe move was made due to "personnel reasons," GM Mike Rizzo said in a statement.
Trading A Cy Young-Caliber Starting Pitcher
2021/02/yu-darvish-trade-cubs-padres-mets-dickey.htmlNot quite on par with the Wright extension, though the Cubs do have Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kris Bryant as extension candidates given their impending free agency.
NL Notes: Turner, Mets, Cubs, Reds, Pirates
2021/02/nl-notes-turner-mets-cubs-reds-pirates.htmlIt's "almost" certain they'll talk new deals with first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Javier Baez, Wittenmyer reports, though it's unclear whether the Cubs will make a spirited effort to retain third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant for the long haul.
Quick Hits: Indians, Payroll, Patton, Nationals, Catchers
2021/01/quick-hits-indians-payroll-patton-nationals-catchers.htmlRaudy Read or Tres Barrera are next in line to have an opportunity, but the recent signing of Alex Avila suggests GM Mike Rizzo isn't ready to give either one too long of a look out of the blocks.
Cubs To Sign Joc Pederson
2021/02/cubs-sign-joc-pederson.htmlThe Cubs also figure to explore extensions with Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez as the season approaches.
Nationals Sign Jon Lester
2021/01/nationals-jon-lester-in-talks.htmlNationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier in the offseason he wanted to add a starter to the back of the team's rotation, and Lester gives him a durable veteran to add to the mix.
Central Rumors: Cubs Extensions, Cardinals, Kluber
2021/01/central-rumors-cubs-extensions-cardinals-tigers-kluber.htmlEach of Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant is set to hit the market next year, and while the latter of that trio has seen his name prominently circulated in the rumor mill, Baez and Rizzo have broadly been considered extension candidates.
Nationals Sign Kyle Schwarber
2021/01/nationals-to-sign-kyle-schwarber.htmlIt also isn't out of the question that Washington could break Schwarber in as a first baseman, as Anthony Rizzo's presence at the position forced the Cubs to deploy Schwarber in the outfield once Schwarber was moved from his original catcher spot.
Checking In On Last Season’s Worst Rotations
2021/01/checking-in-on-last-seasons-worst-rotations-2.htmlGeneral manager Mike Rizzo has spoken this winter of adding a No.
Hoyer: Finances “Not The Focus” Of Darvish Trade
2020/12/cubs-rumors-yu-darvish-trade-finances-not-focus-jed-hoyer.htmlStill, whether it happens this winter or next offseason -- when each of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant…
Padres, Cubs Nearing Yu Darvish Trade
2020/12/padres-trade-rumors-yu-darvish-cubs.htmlCornerstone pieces like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez are all free agents next winter.
Which Teams Are The Best Fits For J.T. Realmuto?
2020/12/which-teams-are-the-best-fits-for-j-t-realmuto.htmlIt's uncertain at best, however, that ownership will give GM Mike Rizzo the financial leash to again dish out a market-setting contract for a top free agent.
Quick Hits: Nats, Bell, Zimmerman, A’s, Giants, Codify, White Sox, Vaughn
2020/12/quick-hits-nats-bell-zimmerman-as-giants-codify-white-sox-vaughn.html“He exemplifies everything we’re trying to do here in Washington," GM Mike Rizzo told NBCSports' Todd Dybas and others during a Zoom call this afternoon (via Twitter).
Pirates Trade Josh Bell To Nationals
2020/12/pirates-trade-josh-bell-nationals.htmlAdding a corner outfielder, at least one back-of-the-rotation starter -- particularly now that they've subtracted Crowe from the mix -- and perhaps an upgrade at catcher could all be on the horizon for GM Mike Rizzo and his staff as the Nats look to get back to their winning ways in 2021.
Yu Darvish Generating Trade Interest
2020/12/cubs-trade-rumors-yu-darvish.htmlSchwarber's non-tender aside, the majority of that division-winning core is intact, and rebounds for some combination of Cubs stars who struggled -- Bryant, Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo -- should be expected.
Ryan Zimmerman Intends To Play In 2021
2020/12/ryan-zimmerman-intends-to-play-in-2021.htmlThe Nats have been linked to a number of top free agents, while GM Mike Rizzo noted their flexibility in seeking upgrades.
NL East Notes: Scherzer, Dombrowski, Realmuto, Braves
2020/12/nl-east-notes-scherzer-dombrowski-mets-realmuto-braves.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo recently stated that there hadn't yet been any extension talks with the right-hander, and Scherzer also said he hasn't heard anything about negotiations.
