What a Sunday to remember with Jake Irvin dominating on the mound for his first 5.0 innings, and a blast to remember from the youngest player on the field, James Wood, who hit a 417 foot shot off of the facing of the upper deck in Citizens Bank Ballpark with a ferocious velo that caused the ball to carom off of the concrete and back onto the field with over 100 feet of distance. That extra run solidified a Nats win 6-4 and win No. 56 on the season.
Earlier on Sunday, it was general manager Mike Rizzo making an appearance on MLB Network Radio. There were many subjects that were discussed from the trade deadline to the team’s core, to the top prospects, and what will the Nationals do in the offseason.
They jumped right into the trade deadline deals that Rizzo pulled off during July with dealing Hunter Harvey, Jesse Winker, Lane Thomas, and Dylan Floro. On the Thomas trade, Rizzo called Alex Clemmey “the lynchpin” of that deal to make that work with Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez Jr. to get that done. Rizzo said he had a few takers for Winker, and wanted the Tyler Stuart deal with the Mets as “his needle was pointing north.” The Harvey deal brought back a draft pick that turned into Caleb Lomavita and Double-A infielder Cayden Wallace.
Rizzo talked about his young core with Keibert Ruiz, Luis Garcia Jr., Jacob Young, and CJ Abrams after already discussing James Wood in great length, and added his four young starting pitchers (Irvin, MacKenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker, and DJ Herz). Rizzo also said that he has four top prospects who are still closing in on MLB debuts.
“As we take the next progression as a young team, and this young starting rotation comes into their own … you make a couple of shrewd offseason acquisitions — and I think you are right there in the mix.”
— Mike Rizzo on MLB Network Radio with Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette
“That’s kind of the plan that we have scripted. All of these plans are not linear, as we all know, and they can change on the fly. But I think that’s how I see it, as far as where we’re at, and where we’re going, and how soon we’re going to get there.”
That quote from Rizzo is a lot to take in as to the “a couple of shrewd offseason acquisitions” part of his interview. The word “shrewd” invokes decision making with great judgment, and being astute. Nowhere does that word mean anything about spending money. The word “couple” generally means two. Most feel the team needs one prolific bat for first base, and an ace starter. Put a name to each and think of what 2025 could be.
The question none of us can answer, not even Rizzo, is who the Nats sign this offseason. Of course Rizzo will have a wish-list of players — and as we know, players have their wish-list. How can Rizzo meet the team goals?
When you look at the Kansas City Royals’ offseason, they signed free agents Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Two pitchers who were also tied to the Washington Nationals. Neither player signed for top money, and Lugo got $15 million a year and Wacha received $16 million a year. With a combined fWAR of +5.6, they would both be in the Nats top-3 if Washington got them. But in hindsight, maybe it worked better that the Nats didn’t sign either. Gore, Irvin, and Parker have combined for an equal +5.6 WAR. Yes, it took three young players combined to equal the output of the two Royals pitchers who are both in their 33+ as of today. But age is a factor, let’s be real on that fact.
Everything is about the future and when the Nationals will be a playoff contender. Who are the players that will be part of that next run? Part of that is a combination of the core, the top prospects, and some free agents and/or trade pieces on the T.B.D.
“… You can’t tell me that you can’t see the ascension for all these young players. I think when you factor that in — and our young pitching — the way they’re [performing], and the young players coming up, and the payroll flexibility — you have to be enthusiastic about where this franchise is going in the future.”
— Rizzo said to the Sports Junkies last month
The ascension of some of the young players is a real boost towards the future, and the fact that Rizzo last month spoke to his payroll flexibility which will make this offseason like no other.
The rest of the Rizzo interview centered around top prospects Dylan Crews and Brady House as well as discussing the top three draft picks with Seaver King, Lomavita, and Luke Dickerson.
