The Former Nationals Watch (2024)

[welch]

Gallo is a shrub.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We shouldn't have to dumpster dive for either of them...

well, I wouldn't be kicking if we had landed Duvall.

[Natsinpwc]

We shouldn't have to dumpster dive for either of them...

Sometimes you find a good bargain at the Dollar Store. 

[Natsinpwc]

Gallo is a shrub.

I’m thinking of him more like a tall tree that has some bare spots that could still recover with love and care. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I’m thinking of him more like a tall tree that has some bare spots that could still recover with love and care. 

there's a market for a shrub. I'm sure the Knights Who Say Ni would be interested in a shrubbery.

[imref]

heard on the radio today that this year should see the first returns of MAT and Anthony Rendon to Nats park since the 2019 WS. They are the last two active players who haven't been back.

[welch]

heard on the radio today that this year should see the first returns of MAT and Anthony Rendon to Nats park since the 2019 WS. They are the last two active players who haven't been back.

Is Rendon still an active player?

[imref]

Is Rendon still an active player?

if he feels like it.

[Natsinpwc]

if he feels like it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MSPZOjYDE&pp=ygUld2hhdGV2ZXIgaGFwcGVuZWQgdG8geW91ciBzbWlsZSBwb2NvIA%3D%3D

[imref]

Zuck sharing his thoughts on Rendon, from today's Q&A:

Let me say first of all that I loved watching Rendon play baseball. Loved it. But I (and plenty of others who covered the team) didn't love covering him. He just wasn't easy to deal with. Which is not the worst thing in the world. I will never try to insist a player be a media darling if that's not his personality. The only thing I ask is that a player give reporters the same level of respect they're giving him. And at times it felt like Rendon didn't do that. It could come across as playful sometimes, but on occasion it felt like more than that. He just made things unnecessarily difficult, which frustrated a lot of people.

As far as what happened here and what's happened in Anaheim ... my sense is that Anthony hasn't changed all that much. It's just that everyone tended to brush it off when he was playing 150 games a year and consistently delivering in big moments. Since joining the Angels, he's done neither, making his media interactions a lot less easy to brush off.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Zuck sharing his thoughts on Rendon, from today's Q&A:

this seems right. His preference would be to play in 2020 conditions and have the press barred from anywhere except the interview room, where Rendon would never have to go. I think he enjoys just playing as long as it doesn't interfere with family and faith. But every other aspect of it is just to be tolerated, or not. He does have a sense of humor, but it is just flashes between begrudging toleration and contempt.

[imref]

this seems right. His preference would be to play in 2020 conditions and have the press barred from anywhere except the interview room, where Rendon would never have to go. I think he enjoys just playing as long as it doesn't interfere with family and faith. But every other aspect of it is just to be tolerated, or not. He does have a sense of humor, but it is just flashes between begrudging toleration and contempt.

he said later in the chat that Crews reminds him of Rendon as a player, but that Crews is much easier to deal with.

[Senatorswin]

It seems with the money the Angels are paying Rendon he has a certain obligation to be a good ambassador to the game. There are probably some people who see how he interacts with the press and are turned off from baseball. For $35 million a year you should be nice even if you don't want to.

[machpost]

It seems with the money the Angels are paying Rendon he has a certain obligation to be a good ambassador to the game. There are probably some people who see how he interacts with the press and are turned off from baseball. For $35 million a year you should be nice even if you don't want to.

Seriously, how much money does it take for him to simply not act like a jerk? Two longtime Nationals reporters have now come out and said as much. If family and faith are his priorities, then why is he wasting his time (not) playing a game that he seems to not love?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Seriously, how much money does it take for him to simply not act like a jerk? Two longtime Nationals reporters have now come out and said as much. If family and faith are his priorities, then why is he wasting his time (not) playing a game that he seems to not love?

he likes baseball, just not the other parts of what is now the job of a baseball player.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Dominic Smith opting out of minor league contract with the Cubs.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/dominic-smith-to-opt-out-of-minors-deal-with-cubs.html

[Dave in Fairfax]

Does this thread need a new title or do we need a new thread for 2024?

Also, Nelson Cruz is signing a 1-day contract so he can retire with the Mariners.

[welch]

Dominic Smith opting out of minor league contract with the Cubs.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/dominic-smith-to-opt-out-of-minors-deal-with-cubs.html

I'll say it: Dominic Smith is probably a better player than Joey Gallo.

[GataNats]

I'll say it: Dominic Smith is probably a better player than Joey Gallo.

Nothing probably about it. 

[Dave in Fairfax]

Dominic Smith to the Rays on another minor league contract

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/rays-agree-to-minor-league-deal-with-dominic-smith.html

[welch]

Dominic Smith to the Rays on another minor league contract

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/rays-agree-to-minor-league-deal-with-dominic-smith.html

The Nationals signed Smith to a one-year, $2MM guarantee last winter, though he hit only .254/.326/.366 with 12 home runs in 586 PA for Washington.

No numbers, but likely on a cheaper contract than Gallo signed for the Nats. Make the trade, Rizzo: Gallo for Dom.

[imref]

Harper is underpaid.

[Natsinpwc]

Harper is underpaid.

That’s why he and Boras are pushing for that extension until he is 45.

[Senatorswin]

That’s why he and Boras are pushing for that extension until he is 45.

It's a tough situation for the Phillies. They want to keep him happy. A lot of guys with a lot less talent are making substantially more and that is just going to get worse as the years go by. But Harper hasn't played 150 games in a season since 2019 and he has had back issues.

And opposite of that, overpaid Rendon is doing so bad you almost have to look away. 0-19 with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.

[imref]

It's a tough situation for the Phillies. They want to keep him happy. A lot of guys with a lot less talent are making substantially more and that is just going to get worse as the years go by. But Harper hasn't played 150 games in a season since 2019 and he has had back issues.

And opposite of that, overpaid Rendon is doing so bad you almost have to look away. 0-19 with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.

I think you’ve identified our next first baseman!!