Locked On Nationals - Daily Podcast On The Washington Nationals

Happy Black Friday Nationals fans! On today's Locked On Nationals, Ryan gets into some bargain free agents that could help this team win today, and the seasons going forward. With cheap contracts, and also some big name guys, you could lok to add them to this roster as we need LOADS of talent added to help this team win. There are three names in this pile, and it is certainly highlighted by Joey Gallo, the former Rangers-Yankees-Dodgers slugger who is a free agent. At only 29 years old, the power he brings to the table for a team that ranked dead last in HR's in the NL would be major. We need more balls to go out of the yard, and Joey Gallo would instantly help that cause. Also, we need starting pitching, and there's a big market for that this year. Ryan highlights veterans Michael Wacha, and Sean Manaea who have both had incredible seasons in their past, but may not be getting that big deal they would hope for. If all of that falls into place, the Nationals could spend on one of those guys. Also, with the Rule 5 Draft coming up in a little over a week, Ryan has his eyes set on a former 1st round pick by the Oakland Athletics, and he provides some positional flexibility as well. Stay tuned to find who that is!

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First off, Happy Thanksgiving to ALL of you who listen to Locked On Nationals who have stuck through the host change, and continue to consume Nats content. So, on today's show Ryan discusses three things he is VERY thankful for as a Nats fan, and there are 3 things to be thankful for. How about the 1st one.... trading away J\uan Soto. You'll want to hear the explanation on that. Then, he assigns key Nationals players a food item on Thanksgiving. Here are there categories for those items and what they portray:

Turkey- The one we will ALL have our eyes on, and really the main character of this ballclub. This player will need to have a BIG season for the Nationals to be successful. 

Mashed Potatoes- This is old, reliable, someone you know you can rely on in big situations, and someone that will always be there. What can go wrong with mashed potatoes? 

Sweet Potato Casserole- Someone that will be a sweet addition to the team, someone we need to make flashy plays.

Stuffing- Someone who is boom, or bust, someone that will need to be more consistent. When they're good, they're great. 

Brussel Sprouts: This is someone you're gonna want to look past.

Pumpkin Pie: The sweet, delicious sweet item at the end of your meal. 

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As news came out that the Washington Commanders will be building a statue for the late, great Sean Taylor, it got Ryan thinking. If there was a legendary Washington Nationals player that you would build a statue for, who would it be? There's an obvious answer in here with Mr. National, Ryan Zimmerman, but Ryan likes to think outside the box as we have been FILLED with talented players specifically over the last decade. Think about these names..... Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, Jayson Werth, and manager Davey Martinez. There are plenty more to be considered as well. But, names like World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg stick out, 2x Cy-Young winner Max Scherzer also sticks out, 2015 MVP Bryce Harper is in the mix also. What about the legend of Juan Soto, who was one of the brightest young stars of all time as a Washington National? There's a lot of names to consider.... but one stuck out more than others. Let's get the movement started, and get this player his statue. 

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To start off today's show, Ryan discusses a rumor he has heard floating around the Nationals as they DO have interest in bringing the former MVP Cody Bellinger to Washington, D.C. in that sweet, curly-W hat. Now, this is NO guarantee that he will become a Washington Nationals, and likely there are many teams out there, but with Mike Rizzo's history of signing Scott Boras clients, this is definitely something to watch out for. Ryan discusses two angles of why the Nationals could be the best fit for the struggling slugger, and also discusses WHY he would want to come to DC. You don't need to go to a contending team. In fact, you want to go to a rebuilding team to maximize ALL opportunities that he would have. Maybe the Nats could be that perfect fit, and Ryan explains it all on today's show. 

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The Washington Nationals non-tendered former 1st round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Eric Fedde, so Fedde Wap will no longer be in a Curly-W uniform. Ryan breaks down Eric Fedde's performances over the years, as someone who had high expectations out of UNLV, never met them. What went wrong for Fedde? Is this Fedde's problem, or do you have to look closer at the man who makes these decisions, Mike Rizzo? Also, the Nationals non-tendered the slugger Luke Voit who they acquired from the Juan Soto- Josh Bell trade back at the 2222 trade deadline. Looking at the surface, this deal makes no sense to Ryan as he brings up his concerns for this move. The only way non-tendering Voit would make sense, is if you spend a little big and make Cody Bellinger a Washington National..... and there is certainly a case to be made for him to come to the Nats. Are the stars aligning for Mike Rizzo to acquire the 2019 NL MVP, Cody Bellinger?

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As the hot stove continues to get hotter, Ryan bring along Craig Heist from the Nationals Radio Network to discuss the offseason that has been for the Nats so far. There have been a lot of moves made, but none of them have been with the Nationals so far. Does Craig anticipate anything happening in that department soon? If so, what range of players could we be looking for. Also, since Craig Heist has been a staple in the DC/ Baltimore area covering the Orioles, Nationals, and all professional sports teams, how does the Nats compare now since they first got here in 2005? We also talk about the DH in the National League so far, and how it's changed the game. We also take a step back, and discuss how the Nationals have fallen this far since climbing the mountain top in 2019, to being the worst team in baseball during the 2022 season. What changes HAVE to be made going forward? 

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Ryan was discussing amongst himself, and really venting to friends over the week about how the Washington Nationals have seamlessly done.... absolutely nothing in free agency. Because when you look at this team, and specifically the payroll heading into 2023, there are PLENTY of moves to be made. The Nats currently sit about $41 million dollars under the average payroll in all of MLB, and they are easily the biggest market that is below average when it comes to their payroll, why is that? Is there a gleam for them to make an unprecedented move? The Nationals do have some upside from their pretty loaded farm system, and Cade Cavalli used to be the king of that castle. And now, he is set to be in the Nationals rotation for 2023 and beyond. After a rough debut in the bigs against the Reds, Cavalli was shut down with an arm injury that sidelined him from mid-August to the end of the year. What should we be expecting from the once crown jewel of the organization's farm system? The Seattle Mariners made a SPLASH yesterday acquiring Teoscar Hernandez from the Blue Jays, and they could be looking to move off one of their outfielders. Could the Nats be in play for Jarred Kelenic, Kyle Lewis, or Jesse Winker? 

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Ryan opens up today's show discussing the Nationals cutting Yadiel Hernandez from the 40 man roster, as the 35 year old cleared waivers and has been assigned to AAA Rochester. It was an up and down season at the plate for Yadiel Hernandez, although his numbers may indicate an above average MLB hitter. What type of impact would Yadiel Hernandez have in the big leagues, and could we see him in a curly-W uniform in 2023? Ryan explains it all here. Also, the Nats selected 6 contracts to be saved from the Rule 5 draft at yesterday's deadline, and all of them are now on the 40-man roster. Those prospects are Jake Alu, Jackson Rutledge, Jeremy De La Rosa, Matt Cronin, Jose Ferrer, & Jake Irvin. Ryan discusses the potential ALL of these guys can bring to the table for the 2023 Nats, and talks about the likelihood of any of these guys making their MLB debut in 2023. What type of upside do each of these guys have? 

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Before Ryan gets into the meat of the show, he shares the unfortunate news of Seth Romero, the former 1st round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, has been released by the ball club after a 2nd DWI charge. Ryan discusses the potential that Romero brought to the ballclub, and what this means for the organization moving forward. Then, Ryan starts to go through the rich, deep history that Mike Rizzo and the Nats front office have of acquiring free agents and making them splash moves that this organization can smile about when looking back on it. These may not be the flashiest moves in all of Mike Rizzo's rich history as an executive for the Nationals, but they certainly have paid off in the long run for the Nats. There are some names you may have forgotten about, but certainly were Nationals legends and shouldn't be forgotten about in the short history of this team. 

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With Mike Rizzo, the Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations, speaking with the GM meeting in Las Vegas, NV, he discussed some of the offseason plans and what some fans should be expecting as far as free agency. With new ownership likely to be coming into town over the next few months, has that changed his approach at all? Plus, Ryan gets into the state of the Nats as there is a hot debate between what a rebuild & what a retool looks like. He dives into what both look like here, and ultimately gives an answer on where the 2023 Washington Nationals stand. Then, hot stove season is heating up and the Nats aren't expected to make some crazy splash, but they could certainly make some waves with bolstering up the starting rotation, and the infield or in the outfield. Ryan points out two potential free agents that align with the Nats philosophy right now being on the cheaper side, but they also display a big ceiling that could leave Mike Rizzo and the front office doing flips midway through the 2023 season. 

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