2020-21 Free Agent Class: First Basemen
2020/04/2020-21-free-agent-class-first-basemen.htmlAnthony Rizzo (31): It would be a huge surprise to see Rizzo become a free agent after next season, as he's a Cubs icon, a valuable player and someone whose 2021 club option ($14.5MM, compared to a $2MM buyout) looks very reasonable for what he's able to produce.
More Than A Decade Of Mike Rizzo Trades
2020/04/more-than-a-decade-of-mike-rizzo-trades.htmlExpectations weren't all that lofty when Mike Rizzo took over D.C.
What If The Mariners Had Drafted Anthony Rendon?
2020/04/anthony-rendon-mariners-draft-2011.htmlMaybe it was the ankle and shoulder injuries, maybe it was adviser Scott Boras, but whatever the reason, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was "pleasantly surprised" when Rendon fell all the way to the sixth spot.
Breakout Candidate: Anthony Santander
2020/04/breakout-candidate-anthony-santander.htmlHe only notched 380 ABs last year, which places him squarely at 19.0 AB/HR, right in line with the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Jose Abreu, and Rhys Hoskins.
Offseason In Review: Seattle Mariners
2020/04/offseason-in-review-seattle-mariners-11.htmlFirst base certainly isn't thought of as a core position these days, but core players routinely make their homes there (Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, Paul Goldschmidt, etc.), and while White has a lot to prove before qualifying to break bread with that trio, the Mariner brass saw enough to write his name on the lineup card in pen.
In The Absence Of Opening Day…
2020/03/in-the-absence-of-opening-day.htmlJason Heyward donated $200,000 to a pair of Chicago-based charities, while teammate Anthony Rizzo's foundation has expanded its Hope44 Meals initiative to provide hot meals for patients and staff at Chicago hospitals (fans can contribute donations as well).
10 NL West Pitchers Looking For Bounce-Back Seasons
2020/03/10-nl-west-pitchers-looking-for-bounce-back-seasons.htmlIn other words, Watson turned the average lefty into Anthony Rizzo.
MLBTR Poll: How Good Are The Cubs?
2020/03/mlbtr-poll-how-good-are-the-cubs.htmlBryant, shortstop Javier Baez, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, catcher Willson Contreras and left fielder Kyle Schwarber are still around to drive their position player group.
Offseason In Review: Chicago Cubs
2020/03/offseason-in-review-chicago-cubs-12.htmlAnd probably that’s more important now than it was even a year ago, because we’re now just two years away from a lot of our best players reaching the end of their period of control with the Cubs." In other words, the team's window runs through 2021, after which Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber can become free agents.
2020-21 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
2020/02/2020-21-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings.htmlAt this point, I'm assuming that the 2021 club options for Starling Marte, Anthony Rizzo, Charlie Morton, Corey Kluber, Chris Archer, and Kolten Wong will vest or be picked up.
NL Notes: Wong, Nationals, Martinez, Howard
2020/02/nl-notes-wong-nationals-martinez-howard.htmlOne name discussed internally as a potential Martinez replacement: Buck Showalter, who, as Rosenthal notes, worked with Nats GM Mike Rizzo in Arizona from 1998-2000.
Rizzo Downplays Nationals’ Interest In Trade For Third Baseman
2020/02/rizzo-downplays-nationals-interest-in-trade-for-third-baseman.htmlWhile we've heard some chatter suggesting the Nationals remain interested in trading for a top-shelf third baseman, Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo downplayed the possibility in comments to assembled media members including Todd Dybas of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link).
The Astros’ Apologies Did Little To Repair Their Image
2020/02/the-astros-apologies-did-little-to-repair-their-image.htmlNationals president of baseball ops Mike Rizzo and Yankees GM Brian Cashman made no secret of their disdain for the Astros' actions, as MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman (link) and MLB.com's Bryan Hoch (link) report.
NL Notes: Dodgers, Cubs, Giants
2020/02/nl-notes-dodgers-cubs-giants.htmlOf course, there's always the possibility of a bounceback for this Cubs core, but even a return to prominence in the NL Central would not provide the answers Epstein needs when it comes to the futures of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber and company.
Nationals Re-Sign Ryan Zimmerman
2020/01/nationals-to-re-sign-ryan-zimmerman.htmlGeneral manager Mike Rizzo and Zimmerman suggested on multiple occasions in recent months that agreeing to a new contract was a formality.
Checking In On Last Season’s Worst Bullpens
2020/01/checking-in-on-last-seasons-worst-bullpens.htmlHowever, general manager Mike Rizzo's in-season tinkering with the group proved effective, especially the acquisition of flamethrowing closer Daniel Hudson at the trade deadline.
Latest On Cubs’ Offseason Plans
2020/01/latest-on-cubs-offseason-plans-2.htmlExtension talks with Anthony Rizzo went nowhere and were shelved, at least for the time being.
Managers, Top Front Office Execs On Expiring Contracts
2020/01/managers-top-front-office-execs-on-expiring-contracts.htmlNationals: The extension the Nationals gave GM Mike Rizzo a couple years back reportedly lasts through 2020, while manager Dave Martinez has a club option for '21.
Filing Day Reactions: NL East
2020/01/filing-day-reactions-nl-east.htmlThe Nationals settled with all their arbitration eligible players, but GM Mike Rizzo spoke with the media today, touching on a number of topics.
Nationals Sign Eric Thames
2020/01/nationals-to-sign-eric-thames.htmlPresident of baseball operations Mike Rizzo has made a practice of keeping a left-handed-hitting corner piece around.
Nationals Re-Sign Daniel Hudson
2020/01/nationals-daniel-hudson-nearing-two-year-deal.htmlHudson, whom general manager Mike Rizzo acquired from the Blue Jays before the July 31 deadline, was a key reason for Washington's triumph.
Offseason Notes: Nationals, Free Agents, Rays, Cubs, Bryant, Contreras
2020/01/offseason-notes-nationals-free-agents-rays-cubs-bryant-contreras.htmlFernando Rodney could get another shot on a minor league deal, but GM Mike Rizzo has handed those out rather liberally this winter, and the bullpen barracks are looking pretty full: Javy Guerra, Fernando Abad, and David Hernandez are all competing for bullpen spots on minor league deals while Sean Doolittle, Will Harris, Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero and Roenis Elias look pretty good to secure their seats at the table.
MLBTR Polls: Washington Nationals’ Recent Additions
2020/01/mlbtr-polls-washington-nationals-recent-additions.htmlWhile waiting in the hallway with the Twins and Braves for Josh Donaldson to make his final contract demands, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo contented himself with bringing back as much of the championship gang as he could manage.
Poll: Will Cubs End Up Trading A Star?
2020/01/poll-will-cubs-end-up-trading-a-star.htmlAnd the team evidently isn't seeing eye to eye with first baseman Anthony Rizzo; might there be a chance he's…
The Most Notable Trades Of The Past Decade
2020/01/the-most-notable-trades-of-the-past-decade.htmlWho can forget the series of deals that left Anthony Rizzo in Chicago? The Cubs got him from the Padres for Cashner, then an elite pitching prospect, after the Friars sent Mat Latos to the Reds for a four-player package that included first bagger Yonder Alonso, the aforementioned Grandal, and hurlers Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger.
