Free Agent Notes: Realmuto, Cruz, Kim, Pillar, Avila, Stanek
2020/12/free-agent-notes-realmuto-cruz-kim-pillar-avila-stanek.htmlDespite that, Ghiroli casts doubt on the Nationals signing Realmuto because of general manager Mike Rizzo's suggestion earlier this week that the club doesn't have the catcher position atop its list of priorities.
NL Notes: Posey, Scherzer, Stanek
2020/12/nl-notes-posey-scherzer-stanek.htmlNationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Tuesday he was unaware of any extension talks between the team and ace Max Scherzer.
Mike Rizzo Discusses Nationals’ Lineup, Rotation
2020/12/mike-rizzo-discusses-nationals-lineup-rotation.htmlWhile the Nationals don't appear to be pursuing Cubs third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant in a trade, general manager Mike Rizzo does have interest in landing a big bat before the 2021 season begins.
Mike Rizzo: Nationals Not Pursuing Kris Bryant Trade
2020/12/rizzo-nationals-not-pursuing-kris-bryant-trade.htmlReports last month mentioned Kris Bryant as a potential Nationals trade target, but Washington GM Mike Rizzo rather definitively ruled out a Bryant swap during a session with reporters (including ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers) this afternoon.
Casey Kelly Re-Signs With KBO’s LG Twins
2020/12/next-steps-for-casey-kelly.htmlAround that time, he was included as a key piece of the trade (along with Anthony Rizzo) that brought Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres to the Red Sox.
Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals
2020/12/offseason-outlook-washington-nationals-10.htmlIt isn't yet known whether GM Mike Rizzo will have the financial resources to make any significant additions, or if the front office will just have to avoid the top shelf in offseason shopping endeavors.
Looking For A Match In A Nolan Arenado Trade
2020/11/nolan-arenado-trade-rumors-rockies.htmlWashington's payroll ranks toward the top of the league on a yearly basis, and GM Mike Rizzo isn't afraid to make high-priced splashes.
Cubs Open “To Move Almost Any Veteran” In Trades
2020/11/cubs-open-to-move-almost-any-veteran-in-trades.htmlAnthony Rizzo is under contract through the 2021 season, Craig Kimbrel is guaranteed through 2021 with a $16MM club/vesting option for 2022, and Yu Darvish, Jason Heyward, Kyle Hendricks, and David Bote are all locked up through at least the 2023 season on longer-term contracts.
NL Notes: Nationals, Wood, Hoffman, Padres, Cubs
2020/11/nl-notes-nationals-wood-hoffman-padres-cubs.htmlBut with Wood now a free agent and the Nationals looking for some veteran pitching depth, GM Mike Rizzo could very well revisit the idea of adding the left-hander to the D.C.
Starting Pitching Notes: Kluber, Nats, Orioles
2020/11/corey-kluber-rumors-throwing-program.htmlZuckerman notes that southpaw Robbie Ray, one such starter, was initially a Nationals draft pick and a prospect that GM Mike Rizzo had a difficult time trading in the Doug Fister swap with the Tigers back in 2013.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs
2020/11/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-11.htmlKris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward -- they're all still here.
Cubs Exercise Anthony Rizzo’s 2021 Option
2020/10/cubs-plan-to-exercise-anthony-rizzos-option.htmlTODAY: The Cubs officially announced that Rizzo's option has been exercised.
Forecasting The Qualifying Offer Market: Position Players
2020/10/forecasting-the-qualifying-offer-market-position-players.htmlOf the players who could become free agents if their teams decline their 2021 club options, Anthony Rizzo seems like the only reasonable QO candidate, but the Cubs are almost a lock to exercise their $16.5MM option on his services.
Quick Hits: Matzek, Braves, Extensions, Mariners
2020/10/quick-hits-matzek-braves-extensions-mariners.htmlTaylor Trammell, Juan Then and Sam Delaplane are obviously going to be protected, Divish feels, but reliever Wyatt Mills and corner infielder Joe Rizzo present tougher calls.
More Changes To Nationals’ Coaching Staff
2020/10/more-changes-to-nationals-coaching-staff.htmlHale was initially brought in by GM Mike Rizzo to provide a veteran hand on the bench while Martinez got his feet wet in his first role as manager.
Theo Epstein On The Value Of One-Year Deals
2020/10/theo-epstein-on-the-value-of-one-year-deals.htmlKris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, Albert Almora, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jason Heyward, and Kyle Schwarber represent the longest-tenured group of Chicago players.
Theo Epstein Discusses Cubs’ Future
2020/10/theo-epstein-discusses-cubs-future.htmlAnthony Rizzo was decent but didn't play at his established levels, while Kris Bryant and Javier Baez scuffled through miserable seasons.
NL Notes: Rockies, Giants, Baez
2020/10/nl-notes-rockies-giants-baez.htmlNow that the Cubs' season is over, Javier Baez reiterated his desire to remain in Wrigleyville, telling NBC Sports Chicago's Tim Stebbins and other reporters that "hopefully I stay here my whole career." That said, Baez also noted that "anything can happen....We'll see what happens and hopefully I'll stay here." Baez, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Anthony Rizzo (whose 2021 option is likely to be exercised) are all scheduled to hit free agency after the 2021 season, leading to speculation about which members of the quartet could be extended or traded.
Previewing The 2020-21 Free Agent Class: First Basemen
2020/09/mlb-free-agent-preview-first-base-2020-2021.htmlAnthony Rizzo, $14.5MM club option with $2MM buyout: It wasn't a great season for Rizzo, whose .222 average was a career-low, but he kept getting on base and hitting for power.
NL East Notes: Nationals, Doolittle, Mets, Nido, Betances
2020/09/nl-east-notes-nationals-doolittle-mets-nido-betances.htmlWhether or not GM Mike Rizzo is able to re-sign Doolittle will probably come down to price point.
Nationals Extend Dave Martinez
2020/09/nationals-extend-dave-martinez-manager.htmlThe Nats didn't extend general manager Mike Rizzo, whose contract didn't even have a 2021 option, until three weeks ago.
Quick Hits: Nationals, Blue Jays, Pearson, Red Sox, Eovaldi, Hernandez
2020/09/quick-hits-nationals-blue-jays-pearson-red-sox-eovaldi-hernandez.htmlNewly-extended GM Mike Rizzo - who accomplished the rare feat of getting ejected from the club box on Sunday - didn't see enough progress to make a move at the deadline, especially considering their limited scouting capabilities.
Mike Rizzo Discusses Trea Turner, Dave Martinez
2020/09/mike-rizzo-discusses-trea-turner-dave-martinez.htmlBefore the coronavirus put the baseball season on pause this spring, the Nationals and star shortstop Trea Turner engaged in extension talks, general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed to reporters (including Todd Dybas of NBC Sports Washington).
