Odds & Ends: Ortiz, Smoltz, Sandoval, Westmoreland

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says that "money has nothing to do with who's going to play and who's not going to play," according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

Nationals Release Elijah Dukes

Goessling talked to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, who said the team made many attempts to trade Dukes but could not find an interested…

Nationals Have Not Discussed Jermaine Dye

1:35pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that "the Nationals will consider looking outside the organization for a replacement, although the team has not discussed free agent Jermaine Dye."  Those are Kilgore's words, to be clear.

Rizzo Optimistic About Dunn Extension

Rizzo does not consider Opening Day a hard-and-fast deadline.

Odds & Ends: Lo Duca, Pujols, Strasburg, Guzman

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told MASN's Ben Goessling that while he considers all trade possibilities, he's "certainly, certainly not" trying to trade Cristian Guzman.

Dunn Has No Deadline For Extension Talks

"But I don't want it to drag on until the All-Star Break or things like that."He'd prefer not to hear his name in trade rumors this summer, but hasn't given Nats GM Mike Rizzo a firm date by which the possible extension must be finalized."It's not a deadline," Dunn said.

Discussion: Elijah Dukes

Dukes had been dealing with a knee injury and had struggled at the plate and in the field during spring training, but according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, Washington GM Mike Rizzo said that the move had been in the works for a while: "This was not a knee-jerk reaction on several Spring Training at-bats.

Week In Review: 3/14/10-3/20/10

Meanwhile, GM Mike Rizzo is optimistic that the two parties will reach agreement.

Could Nationals Trade Cristian Guzman?

Guzman has said he won't request a trade, and GM Mike Rizzo has insisted that Washington is not attempting to deal him.

No Ongoing Talks Between Dunn, Nationals

Kilgore quotes general manager Mike Rizzo as saying the two sides are in communication, though Rizzo declined to comment further.

Nats Content With Right Field Platoon

Utility player Cristian Guzman, who has been playing in right, and Mike Morse are among the players GM Mike Rizzo could turn to.

Odds & Ends: Embree, Rizzo, Votto, Rollins, Huffman

General Manager Start Dates

Brian Sabean, Giants: 9/30/96 Billy Beane, Athletics: 10/17/97 Brian Cashman, Yankees: 2/3/98 Dan O'Dowd, Rockies: 9/20/99 Kenny Williams, White Sox: 10/25/00 Mark Shapiro, Indians: 11/1/01 Dave Dombrowski, Tigers: 4/8/02 Jim Hendry, Cubs: 7/5/02 Doug Melvin, Brewers: 9/25/02 Theo Epstein, Red Sox: 11/25/02 Omar Minaya, Mets: 9/30/04 Jon Daniels, Rangers: 10/4/05 Josh Byrnes, Diamondbacks: 10/28/05 Andrew Friedman, Rays: 11/3/05 Ned Colletti, Dodgers: 11/16/05 Dayton Moore, Royals: 5/31/06 Andy MacPhail, Orioles: 6/20/07 Ed Wade, Astros: 9/20/07 Neal Huntington, Pirates: 9/25/07 Michael Hill, Marlins: 9/29/07 Bill Smith, Twins: 10/1/07 Frank Wren, Braves: 10/11/07 Tony Reagins, Angels: 10/16/07 John Mozeliak, Cardinals: 10/31/07 (became interim GM 10/3/07) Walt Jocketty, Reds: 4/23/08 Jack Zduriencik, Mariners: 10/22/08 Ruben Amaro Jr., Phillies: 11/3/08 Mike Rizzo, Nationals: 8/20/09 (became interim GM 3/4/09) Alex Anthopoulos, Blue Jays: 10/3/09 Jed Hoyer, Padres: 10/26/09 Baseball America and Cot's Baseball Contracts were of great help in compiling this list.

Top Trade Chips: NL East

However, GM Mike Rizzo has a valuable piece in Josh Willingham, who is no stranger to the trade rumor circuit.

Willingham Hopes For Multiyear Deal

Will the Nationals commit to Willingham?  Back in January GM Mike Rizzo admitted he had been close on a couple of deals,…

Nationals Plan To Draft Bryce Harper?

3:11pm: Asked about drafting Harper, Nationals Director of Amateur Scouting Kris Kline told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, "I don't think that's etched in stone."  The Nationals are down to a list of five candidates, with GM Mike Rizzo scheduled to see Harper in person for the first time in May.

Jason Bergmann Designated For Assignment

GM Mike Rizzo will attempt to trade Bergmann, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

Week In Review – 4/11/10 – 4/17/10

Washington GM Mike Rizzo will reportedly try to trade the hurler.

Odds & Ends: Martinez, Rangers, Strasburg, Zambrano

Despite Stephen Strasburg's hot start, Mike Rizzo has no plans to rush his prized prospect through the minors, according to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.

Jason Bergmann Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Triple-A

We're still in the inquiry stage," said Rizzo.

Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Orioles, Griffey, Braves

The Nationals made a run at Jermaine Dye and had more than one conversation with Gary Sheffield's agent, but GM Mike Rizzo said those talks were just to gauge interest.

Odds & Ends: Harper, Escobar, Vazquez, Gordon

Washington GM Mike Rizzo scouted Bryce Harper in person for the first time, and he and scouting director Kris Kline came away confident in Harper's makeup, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

Nationals Not Considering Tim Chambers

WEDNESDAY, 4:18pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said the team is not considering Chambers for a scouting job, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Nationals Designate Matt Chico For Assignment

Nats GM Mike Rizzo is scheduled to give a more detailed explanation of the move later this morning.

Nationals Notes: Harper, Right Field, Daniel

Nats GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he feels good about the team's options in right field.