Minor MLB Transactions: 9/14/16
2016/09/royals-release-reymond-fuentes.htmlThe former first-round pick (28th overall by the Red Sox in 2009) was a key piece of the trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego to Boston (though Anthony Rizzo was the headliner) and does have a history of performing well in the upper levels of the minors prior to this season.
Season Likely Over For Lorenzo Cain
2016/09/season-over-for-lorenzo-cain.htmlHis output at the plate, on the base paths and in the field led to a stellar 11.2 fWAR total - tied with Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo for fifth in the majors.
Cafardo’s Latest: Moreland, Leon, Red Sox, Gomez, Puig
2016/08/cafardos-latest-moreland-leon-red-sox-gomez-puig.html"I personally signed Sandy Leon when he was 16½ years old...My name is on that one," Nats GM Mike Rizzo said.
NL Notes: Lackey, Cardinals, D-backs, Nats, Papelbon
2016/08/nl-notes-lackey-cardinals-d-backs-nats-papelbon.htmlContinued Scherzer, "Unfortunately, some things went sideways and some other way, but when you talk about a veteran guy in this clubhouse and what he can do for us, he’s going to be missed.” Both president/GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dusty Baker echoed Scherzer's sentiment.
East News & Rumors: Marlins, Red Sox, Nats, Mets
2016/08/east-news-rumors-marlins-red-sox-nats-mets.htmlThanks to a clean MRI on Saturday, the Nationals will not place right fielder Bryce Harper on the disabled list, president and general manager Mike Rizzo said (via Alex Putterman of MLB.com).
Injury Notes: Harper, De La Rosa, Rasmus, Bour, Gray, Cishek, Zych
2016/08/injury-notes-harper-de-la-rosa-rasmus-bour-gray-cishek-zych.htmlIn essence, Nats GM Mike Rizzo strongly denied a report from SI.com's Tom Verducci indicating that Harper may have been playing through a shoulder injury for some time.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Wilson Ramos
2016/08/free-agent-stock-watch-wilson-ramos.htmlThough GM Mike Rizzo has said recently that he's a believer in Ramos's talent and thinks a new deal could happen at any time, Ramos has been left waiting on contract talks thus far.
NL News & Rumors: CarGo, Utley, Rizzo, Roark, Giants
2016/08/nl-news-rumors-cargo-utley-rizzo-roark-giants.htmlThe trade that brought Tanner Roark to the Nationals may be the best of GM Mike Rizzo's career with the club, as MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman gives his ranking of Rizzo's top 10 trades.
Pitching Rumors: Marlins, Tigers, Nats, Giants, Walker, Gomez
2016/07/pitching-rumors-trade-deadline-marlins-volquez-shoemaker-teheran-tigers-nationals-giants-taijuan-walker-mariners-jeanmar-gomez-phillies.htmlWhile GM Mike Rizzo has undeniably been a shrewd dealmaker, he and the organization have largely resisted major in-season additions, and Kilgore says that this is not the year to be stingy with prospects.
Latest On Nationals’ Search For Late-Inning Reliever
2016/07/wade-davis-andrew-miller-nationals-trade-rumor.htmlThe Nationals were in the mix for Aroldis Chapman right up until the end of the Yankees' negotiations with the Cubs, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark, and general manager Mike Rizzo and his staff are still on the hunt for a relief ace that could anchor the back of the bullpen and provide an upgrade over Jonathan Papelbon.
Mariners, Cubs Swap Mike Montgomery, Dan Vogelbach In Four-Player Deal
2016/07/cubs-mariners-trade-montgomery-vogelbach.htmlHowever, as a player that is strictly limited to first base or designated hitter -- Vogelbach's 6'0", 250-pound frame wouldn't play elsewhere -- there was no hope for Vogelbach to get to the Majors with the Cubs other than as a bench bat thanks to the presence of Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo Denies That Nationals Have Interest In Charlie Blackmon
2016/07/nationals-showing-interest-in-charlie-blackmon.htmlTODAY: The report on Blackmon "is not accurate," Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said this morning in an interview with 106.7's The Sports Junkies (via 106.7's Pete Medhurst, on Twitter).
Playoff Contender Needs (National League)
2016/07/playoff-contender-needs-national-league.htmlWhile he could be given a shot as the Nats' regular center fielder at some point, general manager Mike Rizzo is likely to first explore the trade market, where Charlie Blackmon, Peter Bourjos, Coco Crisp, Jon Jay (likely to return from the disabled list sometime in August) and Melvin Upton Jr.
NL Notes: Jeffress, Bell, Nationals, Braves
2016/07/jeremy-jeffress-trade-rumor-brewers.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo tells Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post that he doesn't see a glaring need anywhere on his roster that needs to be addressed at the trade deadline.
NL Notes: Mets, Nats, Pirates, Cardinals, D-backs
2016/07/nl-notes-mets-nats-pirates-cardinals-d-backs.htmlMoreover, while Strasburg might have been this year's NL All-Star starter, he and the club made the “mutual decision" to keep him out of the game, per president and GM Mike Rizzo.
Knocking Down The Door: Hedges, Jimenez, Thompson, Vogelbach, Wilkerson
2016/07/knocking-down-the-door-hedges-jimenez-thompson-vogelbach-wilkerson.htmlHe is limited to first base and blocked by Anthony Rizzo, who is also limited to first base.
Central Notes: Cain, Hamilton, Melancon, Rondon
2016/06/lorenzo-cain-hamstring-injury-royals.htmlBilly Hamilton was removed from the Reds game against today after he was struck in the face by a ball off the bat of Anthony Rizzo that deflected off the glove of left fielder Adam Duvall (video link).
NL East Notes: Phillies, Giolito, Turner, Norris
2016/06/bud-norris-trade-rumors-cutter.htmlEarlier today, GM Mike Rizzo told reporters, including MLB.com's Jamal Collier (via Twitter), that the much-hyped hurler will have a chance to earn a permanent spot at the big league level.
NL East Notes: Reyes, Mets, Ramos, Marlins
2016/06/nl-east-notes-reyes-mets-ramos-marlins.html"It hasn’t changed a lot for me," said GM Mike Rizzo.
Heyman’s Latest: Harper/Machado, Braves, Shields, Odor
2016/06/james-shields-trade-rumors-padres.html"We have not to this point had any substantive negotiations about a long-term deal," Nats GM Mike Rizzo said with regard to Harper.
NL East Notes: Baker, Matz, Paredes, Altherr
2016/05/nl-east-notes-baker-matz-paredes-altherr.htmlBaker praised GM Mike Rizzo for his work and said their relationship has been very positive thus far.
Nationals Exercise Mike Rizzo’s Option
2016/05/nationals-exercise-mike-rizzos-option.htmlThe Nationals have picked up president and general manager Mike Rizzo's option and will keep him through at least the 2018 season, James Wagner of the Washington Post was among those to report (Twitter link).
East Notes: Price, D. Murphy, d’Arnaud
2016/05/east-notes-price-d-murphy-darnaud.htmlThanks in part to his ridiculously hot start this season (.402/.448/.654 with four home runs in 116 plate appearances), Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy has compiled a 142 wRC+ over the past calendar year, including playoffs, to put himself in company with stars like Buster Posey and Anthony Rizzo.
NL Notes: Glasnow, d’Arnaud, Story, Rizzo
2016/04/glasnow-darnaud-story-rizzo.htmlBarry Svrluga of the Washington Post questions the Nationals' lack of action on GM Mike Rizzo's contract.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Jays, Nats, Padres, Astros
2016/04/rosenthals-latest-jays-nats-padres-astros.htmlThe Nationals have until June 15 to exercise the two-year option in president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Rizzo's contract, and signs point toward the team picking it up.
