Offseason In Review: Washington Nationals
2017/04/offseason-in-review-washington-nationals-7-2.htmlFor top baseball exec Mike Rizzo and his staff, there was little reason to do more this winter than to keep adding around a talented core at the major league level.
Nationals Notes: Closer, Romero, Scherzer
2017/03/nationals-notes-closer-romero-scherzer.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo was a guest on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM earlier today and discussed his team's ninth inning option with hosts Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette (audio link via Soundcloud).
NL East Notes: Scherzer, Lugo, Braves, Marlins
2017/03/nl-east-notes-scherzer-lugo-braves-marlins.htmlRosenthal spoke to Scherzer himself, former D-backs GM Josh Byrnes, former Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski (now in Boston) and Nationals GM Mike Rizzo (Arizona's scouting director when the D-backs drafted Scherzer) about the two-time Cy Young winner.
NL West Notes: Gonzalez, Kazmir, Cain/Blach, Vargas, Weaver
2017/03/nl-west-notes-gonzalez-kazmir-cainblach-vargas-weaver.htmlAdrian Gonzalez will return to playing first base for the Dodgers tomorrow before joining Team Mexico for the WBC, as Alana Rizzo of Sportsnet LA tweets.
Injury Notes: Kazmir, Cashner, Rosenthal, Naquin, Angels
2017/03/injury-notes-kazmir-cashner-rosenthal-naquin-angels.htmlKazmir's departure, which came just one pitch into his second inning of work, was the result of tightness in his left hip, per Sportsnet LA's Alanna Rizzo (Twitter link).
Cubs Notes: Heyward, Lackey, Davis, First Base
2017/03/cubs-notes-heyward-lackey-davis-first-base.htmlAnthony Rizzo was out of today's Cactus League game with a slight bit of back stiffness, which prompted reporters to ask Maddon who the backup first baseman would be during the regular season (video link via ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers).
Potential Landing Spots For Angel Pagan
2017/02/potential-landing-spots-for-angel-pagan.htmlGM Mike Rizzo has been highly active late in the winter, adding both Matt Wieters and Joe Blanton in the past week.
NL East Notes: Nationals, Plawecki, Morgan, Coghlan
2017/02/nl-east-notes-nationals-plawecki-morgan-coghlan.htmlAs Svrluga notes, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon were each drafted as Boras clients, and GM Mike Rizzo stated to Svrluga that he'd always draft the best talent available regardless of representation.
NL Central Notes: Hanrahan, Kang, Arrieta, Reds
2017/02/pirates-hire-joel-hanrahan-minors-coach.htmlTeammate Anthony Rizzo, too, weighed in on the matter and suggested that no one in the clubhouse would blame Arrieta for pursuing maximum dollars.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn Discusses Offseason Rebuild
2017/02/whitesox-gm-rick-hahn-rebuild-qa.htmlWhen you see how the offseason has wrangled out, does any part of you want to say, "Uh, Dave Dombrowski,…
Nationals Hire De Jon Watson As Special Assistant
2017/01/nationals-hire-de-jon-watson-as-special-assistant.htmlThe Nationals announced on Friday that former Diamondbacks and Dodgers executive De Jon Watson has been added to their pro scouting staff and will serve as a special assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo.
Quick Hits: Rizzo, Red Sox, Marlins, Orioles
2016/12/quick-hits-rizzo-red-sox-marlins-orioles.htmlMike Piellucci of VICE Sports spoke to Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and former Padres GM Josh Byrnes (now a senior VP with the Dodgers) about the 2011 trade that sent Anthony Rizzo and minor league pitcher Zach Cates from San Diego in exchange for right-hander Andrew Cashner and minor league outfielder Kyung-Min Na.
Poll: Dubious December Decisions
2016/12/poll-dubious-december-decisions.htmlAfter making the deal at the Winter Meetings, Nationals president and general manager Mike Rizzo told predecessor Jim Bowden (now of ESPN and Sirius XM) that he was "getting barbecued." Bowden is one of Rizzo's most outspoken critics in this case, as he regards it as the "worst trade" he has ever seen (via Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post).
Trade/FA Rumblings: Wieters, Nats, Mets, Rays, Braun, EE, Tribe
2016/12/tradefa-rumblings-wieters-nats-mets-rays-braun-ee-tribe.htmlOf course, it's worth pointing out that Wieters' agent, Scott Boras, is close with Nats owner Ted Lerner and president/general manager Mike Rizzo.
Finding The Nationals’ Next Closer
2016/12/finding-the-nationals-next-closer.htmlThat’s how it happens.” GM Mike Rizzo, too, suggested that the organization likes its internal slate of possibilities, even if they haven't yet done that particular job at the game's highest level.
Nationals Notes: Espinosa, Turner, Jansen, Strasburg
2016/12/nationals-notes-espinosa-turner-jansen-strasburg.htmlSpeaking to reporters Sunday, Nationals president/general manager Mike Rizzo acknowledged that now-traded middle infielder Danny Espinosa would have been "frustrated" as a bench player.
Danny Espinosa Unhappy With Nationals
2016/12/danny-espinosa-unhappy-with-nationals.htmlThe Nats do value Espinosa, evidenced by their unwillingness to non-tender him, but general manager Mike Rizzo didn't rule out trading the 29-year-old even before the club landed Eaton.
Mike Rizzo Discusses Nationals’ Acquisition Of Adam Eaton
2016/12/mike-rizzo-discusses-nationals-acquisition-of-adam-eaton.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo addressed his club's acquisition of Adam Eaton from the White Sox, which cost a trio of quality pitching prospects.
Nationals Focusing On Andrew McCutchen
2016/12/nationals-focusing-on-andrew-mccutchen.htmlThat's consistent with everything that's been reported when it comes to the Nationals' trade efforts, as GM Mike Rizzo (understandably) seems to be steadfastly averse to trading his blossoming star.
Aroldis Chapman Reportedly Has $92MM Offer
2016/12/yankees-five-years-chapman-rumor.htmlHe also suggests that the Nationals could join the fray for Chapman, pointing out that GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dusty Baker (who managed Chapman in Cincinnati) both love Chapman.
Nationals Notes: Harper, Kiermaier, McCutchen, Giolito, Wieters
2016/12/nationals-notes-harper-kiermaier-mccutchen-giolito-wieters.htmlNats GM Mike Rizzo declined to comment on the subject, as Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post tweets.
Chris Sale Rumors: Monday
2016/12/chris-sale-trade-rumors-nationals-whitesox.htmlWashington reportedly believes it has the prospects to add both Sale and Andrew McCutchen in a trade, though doing so would obviously come with a lofty asking price that would require GM Mike Rizzo to part with a significant portion of his farm system (and likely some MLB-ready talent as well).
Nationals Attempting To Acquire Both Chris Sale, Andrew McCutchen
2016/12/nationals-attempting-to-acquire-both-chris-sale-andrew-mccutchen.htmlWhile the Nationals have been no strangers to big moves over the years, landing Sale and McCutchen would be quite a coup for GM Mike Rizzo.
NL East Notes: Sale, Ramos, Marlins, Mets
2016/11/nationals-chris-sale-trade-rumors-jay-bruce.htmlThe Nationals are in a strong position to make a move for White Sox ace Chris Sale, opines ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider subscription required), and GM Mike Rizzo's track record only strengthens the case.
Rival Executives Expect Nationals To Be Aggressive
2016/11/rival-executives-expect-nationals-to-be-aggressive.htmlGM Mike Rizzo appears to be dabbling in several intriguing areas.
