Nats Chat

Opening Day is under two weeks away as a Florida sun soaked Mark joins Al, who is a tad under the weather during this cold late March in the DMV. We begin with the demotion of Luis Garcia to AAA Rochester, despite him playing every day after the trade deadline last season. This leads to a discussion about Victor Robles' situation.

(16:33) Lane Thomas ended last season on a very high note, but it seems Cesar Hernandez is the favorite to his lead-off this year. What do the Nats think they have in Thomas?

(20:18) Cade Cavalli recently started for the Nationals in Spring Training. We continue to ask the same question we've been wondering for almost a year now..... will Cavalli get called-up to make his Big League debut in the somewhat near future?

(28:01) Tyler Clippard is back in Washington after almost a decade away. Why didn't a contender scoop up the reliever once the lockout ended? 

(35:49) Davey Martinez has yet to officially name an Opening Day starter, but many expect the nod to go Patrick Corbin. What are the chances his 2022 can be a drastic improvement to 2021?

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Mark is back in West Palm Beach for the first time since the Shutdown two years ago, an extra refreshing sign as Opening Day is just over two weeks away. Al & Mark discuss the Nationals decision to retire Ryan Zimmerman's number 11 over a weekend series in Mid June. One apt fact is it will be on the anniversary of his first career walk-off HR. 

(11:30) We get an update on Carter Kieboom's forearm injury and what it means at 3B. This leads to a preview of how the infield overall is shaping up. Why isn't Luis Garcia as of right now a starting middle infielder?

(28:07) Anibal Sanchez pitched the other day and there is a very decent chance he is in the regular season rotation. Will Paolo Espino return to the starting five? What about Cade Cavalli?

(41:40) Nelson Cruz has made a quick impression in the Nats clubhouse, including some teammates who watched him play when they were young. Nats Chat look at whether or not Cruz would be in Washington if Zimmerman had returned for 2022.

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The MLB Lockout is finally over and the Nationals have opened Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Florida. Al & Mark are back for Season #2 of the Nats Chat Podcast. We begin with quick analysis of the topsy turvy negotiations that resulted in there still being a full slate of games for this season. 

(07:26) We now have the Universal DH and the Nats wasted no time in signing a top notch hitter in Nelson Cruz. Mark says his goodbyes to pitchers hitting in the NL and then lays out what Cruz brings to the table, especially as protection for Juan Soto.

(18:40) Washington signed a trio of players who were part of the 2019 Championship in Sean Doolittle, Gerardo Parra, and Anibal Sanchez. How many of these guys will be on the Opening Day Roster?

(25:25) GM Mike Rizzo updated Stephen Strasburg's status as he returns from last summer's TOS surgery. What's the level of optimism that he will be back on the mound this year? Plus, we discuss Joe Ross' elbow as he hopes to return this season.

(37:03) Cade Cavalli & Jackson Rutledge were among those invited to Big League Camp as Non Roster Invitees. What are the chances they join the rotation at any point this season?

(41:50) Rizzo fielded questions on Sunday about Juan Soto's contractual situation and essentially confirmed the offseason extension offer. The Nats still have three years of team control, but what will it take to keep him for years beyond that?

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An emergency edition of Nats Chat as Ryan Zimmerman publicly announced his retirement at age 37. Mark & Al respond to "Employee #11" ending his illustrious Washington career that began all the way back in 2005.

(04:19) What will his next role be with the Nationals organization?

(6:20) Perfect send-off for Zimmerman in what ended up being his final game.

(10:32) What was the main reason he decided it was the right time to "hang 'em up"?

(13:10) Franchise & career milestones set

(19:15) Shift from 3B to 1B after injury

(25:40) Playoff highlights, including 2019

(33:22) If not missing extensive time due to injury, would he have been under Hall of fame consideration?

(38:51) Where would he have fit on the 2022 Nats roster?

(42:02) Quick look at where the lockout currently stands

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Mark & Al are back for the first edition of Nats Chat since the calendar flipped to 2022. Make sure to tune into the final portion of the podcast as we congratulate Tim Kurkjian for winning the BBWAA Career Excellence Award, which means he is headed to Cooperstown.

We begin by checking in on where the MLB Lockout stands as it seems the two sides will finally sit down for the first time in over a month. Will Spring Training begin on time?

(13:23) Juan Soto's sixteen year old brother, Elian, signed with the Nats recently. What to make of it?

(17:24) Washington last month signed minor league deals with veteran infielders Dee Strange-Gordon & Maikel Franco. Plus, Sean Nolin will take his talents to South Korea. 

(32:52) Mark gives his expert insight into this year's Hall of Fame ballot that will be announced later this month. It is the final year of eligibility for Barry Bonds and the first for David Ortiz. The hosts have an updated discussion regarding the Steroid Era stars.

(42:42) Jon Lester is retiring after earning exactly 200 career wins after spending part of his final season with the Nationals. Will he be a future Hall of Famer?

(47:33) ESPN's Tim Kurkjian, who grew up in Bethesda rooting for the Senators, joins the podcast to chat about receiving the highest honor for a member of the Baseball media. Tim also gives his insights on Washington baseball history and how the Nats should proceed with Juan Soto.

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MLB players might be locked out, but the podcast doors are still wide open for Mark & Al in our third off-season edition of Nats Chat. They begin by setting the scene as to why the sport is going through its first work stoppage in almost thirty years. Will Opening Day start on time?

(15:51) Free Agency was abnormally active in the final days leading up to the CBA"s expiration. How could Baseball replicate that for other Novembers moving forward? The hosts then examine Max Scherzer's mammoth deal with the Mets, which will pay him well over $40 Million a year. 

(31:52) The Nationals were very quiet last month while many other teams were spending tons of money in Free Agency. There was one signing however, Cesar Hernandez, who won a Gold Glove at 2B in 2020.

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Juan Soto was runner-up for NL MVP as Bryce Harper won for the second time in his career. Mark & Al react to Soto coming up short in his bid for the MVP and split hairs between the two former teammates resumes. Was Harper more deserving?

(10:17) Scott Boras, Soto's agent, had some interesting comments at the recent GM Meetings regarding his client's future. What are the chances the Nats lock him up to an extension before he becomes a Free Agent after the 2024 season?

(23:41) Max Scherzer came up short in his bid for a 4th Cy Young Award as Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes took home the hardware. Mark voted for the NL Cy Young and dives through what led to his final ballot. How difficult was it to rank this year's candidates?

(34:46) The Nationals made more organizational changes, including some to the coaching staff. The hosts run through the new roles including Eric Young, Jr. as the new First Base Coach.

(44:24) It is becoming increasingly clear we are headed towards a lockout in early December. What should we expect during this MLB Offseason? What is a reasonable expectation as to when operations will resume?

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Mark & Al return for the first off-season edition of Nats Chat. Since the Nationals season ended, there have been a few changes on the coaching staff, most notably at hitting coach. Darnell Coles replaces Kevin Long; who took a job with Philadelphia. What led to Long leaving town? What attributes does Coles bring to the position? What does Juan Soto make of this change?

(17:13) Bob Henley & Randy Knorr have new assignments in player development. What is the aim in these changes?

(24:01) Washington quickly signed Alcides Escobar to return in 2022. Will he definitely be the starting SS?

(31:34) We preview the World Series between Atlanta and Houston. Will most Nats fans be pulling for Dusty Baker?

(43:02) Max Scherzer & Trea Turner were eliminated in the NLCS.  What does the future hold for Max Scherzer, Free Agent?

(52:13) Josh Whetzel, the Voice of the AAA Rochester Red Wings, gives an end of season summation. Tune in to hear how Cade Cavalli & Victor Robles ended their seasons.

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The Nats ended their season with a 7-5 loss to Playoff bound Boston. Mark & Al open with their thoughts on the emotional moment in the top of the 8th when Ryan Zimmerman was ceremoniously removed from the game to thunderous applause. It certainly felt like his final game, will it end up being so?

(10:47) Juan Soto struggled on Sunday and struck out three times. Given that nobody else ran away with it, does he still have a chance to win the NL Cy Young?

(19:48) Alex Avila had a memorable final game of his career. He connected on a 2 run double and also was given a standing ovation as he exited the field for the final time.

(25:16) Joan Adon wowed in his Major League debut. Adon struck out 9 members of the Red Sox in just under 6 IP. The bulk of Adon's season was spent in High-A Wilmington, and yet he played a factor in a game with direct postseason implications.

(33:43) Mike Rizzo spoke to the media before the game and indicated he is not planning on tanking next season. Do we have an idea of how long the Free Agency shopping list will be? Has his philosophy on pitching changed? Do we have an updated timeline on the rebuild?

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The Nats lost 5-3 to Boston on Saturday afternoon. Mark & Al go through Josiah Gray's good outing, which was arguably his best start of the season.

(8:13) The bullpen had another active day and Mason Thompson was the low light as he walked an AL relief pitcher on four pitches. What approach should Mike Rizzo take for next season in bolstering the bullpen?

(20:06) Gerardo Parra made possibly his final at bat in Washington, Jordy Mercer's ejection caused a roster scramble, and Juan Soto had a testy at bat in a crucial moment in the 8th inning.

(31:53) Carter Kieboom went o for 4 and his average is barely over the Mendoza Line. Is he losing his chance to win the job for 2022?

(36:05) Davey Martinez had a notable pregame press conference. 1) He gave a vote of confidence to pitching Coach Jim Hickey. 2) An update on Stephen Strasburg.

(45:39) The Nationals will have a prospect make his MLB debut Sunday on the mound. Learn more about Joan Adon as he faces the Red Sox in a very crucial Game 162 for the visitors.

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