NL East Notes: Ottavino, Robertson, Mets, Nats, LeMahieu, Realmuto
2018/12/nl-east-notes-ottavino-robertson-mets-nats-lemahieu-realmuto.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters (including the Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty) on Friday that he had been in touch with DJ LeMahieu's camp, with the caveat that the team has checked in on close to 40 players as a matter of due diligence.
Lerner: Nationals Don’t Expect To Re-Sign Bryce Harper
2018/12/nationals-bryce-harper-dont-expect-return-re-sign-rumors.htmlWhile Nats president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo reiterated earlier that the club sees its negotiations with Harper as "independent" of the high-dollar signing of Corbin, as MLB.com's Jamal Collier tweets, Lerner suggested some connectivity.
Nationals Sign Patrick Corbin
2018/12/nationals-to-sign-patrick-corbin.html"As the top free agent pitcher on the market this offseason, we targeted Patrick from the onset," said general manager Mike Rizzo in a statement within the press release.
Patrick Corbin Signing “Imminent”
2018/12/latest-on-patrick-corbin.htmlMeanwhile, Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo offered plenty of his own indications of strong interest in Corbin, as MLB.com's Jamal Collier was among those to report.
NL East Notes: Nats, Rendon, Suzuki, Mets, Ramos
2018/12/nl-east-notes-nats-rendon-suzuki-mets-ramos.htmlGM Mike Rizzo suggested Saturday that he'd leave it up to manager Dave Martinez, who declared that "they’re both going to split time." Rizzo added that Suzuki could see action at first base, where he has never appeared in a major league game.
Latest On Patrick Corbin’s Market
2018/11/patrick-corbin-rumors-sign-early-yankees-nationals-phillies.html(MLBTR projected Corbin to sign a six-year, $129MM contract.) Notably, Rosenthal cites one source in suggesting that Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is "seriously focused" on acquiring Corbin, though Washington's history of baking heavy deferrals into long-term contracts isn't always well received by free agents.
Quick Hits: Schoop, Brewers, Nationals, Stroman
2018/11/quick-hits-schoop-brewers-nationals-stroman.htmlJanes' piece in general looks at the pitching options open to the Nats on the trade market, and while GM Mike Rizzo doesn't often make deals for notable starters, he is willing to pay a significant price when he does covet an arm.
NL Notes: Rockies, Cardinals, Nationals
2018/11/nl-notes-rockies-cardinals-nationals.htmlKerzel imagines the possible ways in which GM Mike Rizzo might pair Suzuki with Yasmani Grandal, J.T.
KBO/NPB Signings: Sands, Brigham, Jokisch, Wilson, Kelly, Neal, Hoying
2018/11/kbonpb-signings-wilson-kelly-neal-hoying.htmlBoston dealt him to San Diego in a 2011 blockbuster which also featured Adrian Gonzalez and Anthony Rizzo, but Kelly never broke out with the Padres, thanks in part to 2013 Tommy John surgery.
Nationals Sign Kurt Suzuki
2018/11/nationals-sign-kurt-suzuki.htmlThe addition of Suzuki is the third notable pickup in what has been an active offseason for Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and his front office.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Greinke, Santana, Angels, Harper, Orioles, Machado
2018/11/rosenthals-latest-greinke-santana-angels-harper-orioles-machado.htmlThe agent theorizes that GM Mike Rizzo is largely extricating himself from the process moving forward, instead moving aggressively to fill the Nationals' other needs and leaving ownership to make the final verdict on Harper.
NL East Notes: Mike Fast, Braves, Nationals,
2018/11/nl-east-notes-mike-fast-braves-nationals.htmlInterestingly, Rizzo cites the organization's depth, specifically prospects Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia as reasons for their optimism about the position moving forward.
Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals
2018/11/offseason-outlook-washington-nationals-8.htmlDespite their overall sustained excellence, the Mike Rizzo-era Nationals have yet to end a season in a pleasing manner.
Cubs Open-Minded On Trade Proposals
2018/11/kris-bryant-trade-rumors-cubs-open-minded.htmlIndeed, as Olney points out, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein recently acknowledged publicly that neither Bryant nor star first baseman Anthony Rizzo are totally off limits, at least as a theoretical matter.
Nationals Notes: Rendon, Catcher, Second Base, Payroll
2018/11/nationals-notes-rendon-catcher-second-base-payroll.htmlNats GM Mike Rizzo said yesterday that the club has "made efforts" to extend Rendon before he reaches free agency next offseason.
Nationals Made “Aggressive” Extension Offer To Harper Near End Of Season
2018/11/nationals-offered-bryce-harper-extension-30-million-salary.htmlNationals general manager Mike Rizzo had little to say on the matter, as one might expect, but Janes notes that Rizzo did acknowledge the Nationals' effort to take advantage of the now-expired exclusive negotiating window teams have with their own free agents in the five days that follow the World Series.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Free Agency, Nats, Yanks, Phils, Bucs, Marlins
2018/10/baseball-blogs-weigh-in-free-agency-nats-yanks-phils-bucs-marlins.htmlDistrict on Deck spends a week in Nationals GM Mike Rizzo's shoes and makes seven big moves to get the team back atop the NL East.
NL Central Notes: Murphy, Brewers, Reds
2018/10/nl-central-notes-murphy-brewers-reds.htmlIt seems plausible that some clubs will prefer Murphy as a first baseman rather than a second baseman, though the Cubs have Anthony Rizzo locked in at first, so they'd have to be convinced he can play second base on a fairly regular basis.
The Mets’ GM Search
2018/10/mets-rumors-gm-search-chaim-bloom-rays-doug-melvin-brewers.htmlHe's currently working as a special assistant to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs
2018/10/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-9.htmlAnthony Rizzo, 1B: $13MM through 2019.
NL Notes: Cardinals, Nats, Benoit, Giants, Panik
2018/10/nl-notes-cardinals-nats-benoit-giants-panik.htmlHad Benoit been younger, he likely would have undergone surgery and then rehabbed his way back, general manager Mike Rizzo said last week.
East Notes: Orioles, Nationals, Phillies, Mets
2018/10/phillies-rumors-manny-machado-bryce-harper-free-agency-andy-macphail.htmlFollowing yesterday's report that the Nationals decided not to renew the contract of assistant GM Bob Miller, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports that GM Mike Rizzo didn't want Miller to leave the organization (likely indicating it was an ownership decision).
Quick Hits: Mets, Melvin, Nationals, Lucroy, Dunning
2018/10/quick-hits-mets-melvin-nationals-lucroy-dunning.htmlMiller has worked in Washington for the last four seasons, and has longstanding ties with Nats GM Mike Rizzo when the two worked together with in Diamondbacks organization.
Cubs Notes: Maddon, Hamels, Chavez
2018/10/cubs-notes-maddon-hamels-chavez.htmlMaddon received votes of confidence from players such as Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez, who all praised the manager to reporters (including Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times).
Nationals Notes: Harper, Strasburg, Offseason
2018/10/nationals-notes-harper-strasburg-offseason.htmlGeneral manager Mike Rizzo responded in candid fashion yesterday in talking with reporters (link via Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post).
