Nationals .

Trade wire

Nationals Land Harry Ford, Ruiz's Starting Role in Question

NationalsConfidence 75%

TradeWSHMay 29, 1:00 PM EDT

Nationals Land Harry Ford, Ruiz's Starting Role in Question

Washington's offseason acquisition of Harry Ford from Seattle signals a potential shift behind the plate, with Keibert Ruiz coming off three poor seasons.

The Nationals acquired catcher Harry Ford from the Mariners in an offseason trade. The move puts pressure on Keibert Ruiz, who posted -1.9 WAR over the past three seasons and ranked as the worst defensive catcher in baseball during that span. Ruiz is under contract through a $50 million, eight-year extension signed in March 2023. His status as the team's primary catcher is now uncertain heading into the season.

Read brief →Source: Blogs ↗Confidence 75%

Lineup posted

Nationals Shuffle Lineup vs. Padres, Benching Mead for Vivas

NationalsConfidence 70%

LineupWSHMay 30, 3:35 PM EDT

Nationals Shuffle Lineup vs. Padres, Benching Mead for Vivas

Manager Blake Butera makes multiple positional changes to go left-handed heavy against San Diego, shifting Wood and Crews in the outfield.

Nationals skipper Blake Butera has reconfigured his lineup for the home game against the Padres with a clear left-handed emphasis. Jorbit Vivas gets the start over the struggling Curtis Mead, while Jose Tena slots in at DH. The outfield shifts as James Wood moves to right field and Dylan Crews slides to center. Drew Millas returns as the starting catcher.

Read brief →Source: Sports ↗Confidence 70%

News

Curtis Mead Emerges as Nationals' Everyday Third Baseman

NationalsConfidence 70%

NewsWSHMay 30, 10:30 AM EDT

Curtis Mead Emerges as Nationals' Everyday Third Baseman

Once a struggling prospect, Mead has earned a full-time role in Washington with his bat, validating his pre-prospect hype.

Curtis Mead, acquired by the Nationals after being DFA'd, has moved from a platoon first base role to the everyday third baseman. His offensive production has been the driving force behind the lineup change. Mead was originally traded from Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Cristopher Sanchez to Philadelphia. The Nationals appear to have found a productive everyday player from a low-cost acquisition.

Read brief →Source: Sports ↗Confidence 70%

RosterWSHMay 29, 1:00 PM EDT

Nationals Land Harry Ford, Ruiz's Starting Role in Question

Washington's offseason acquisition of Harry Ford from Seattle signals a potential shift behind the plate after Ruiz's three-year slump.

The Nationals acquired catcher Harry Ford from the Mariners this offseason. The move puts pressure on Keibert Ruiz, who posted -1.9 WAR over the last three seasons — the worst mark among qualified position players. Ruiz struggled both offensively (79 wRC+) and defensively, rated as the worst defensive catcher in baseball over that span. Ford's arrival suggests Washington may be ready to transition away from Ruiz as the primary starter.

Read brief →Source: Blogs ↗Confidence 70%

LineupWSHMay 29, 6:15 PM EDT

Nationals Shuffle Lineup vs. Padres With Crews Back in RF

Manager Blake Butera makes multiple lineup tweaks, slotting Crews back into right field and shifting Wood to designated hitter for the Nats-Padres matchup.

Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera announced several lineup changes ahead of the game against the San Diego Padres. Dylan Crews returns to right field, bumping James Wood to the DH spot. Nasim Nunez gets the start at second base and will hit ninth in the order. Keibert Ruiz is behind the plate and slotted eighth in the batting order.

Read brief →Source: Sports ↗Confidence 80%

TradeWSHMay 29, 1:00 PM EDT

Nationals Land Harry Ford, Clouding Keibert Ruiz's Future

Washington's acquisition of catching prospect Harry Ford from Seattle signals a potential shift away from Ruiz behind the plate.

The Nationals acquired catcher Harry Ford from the Mariners in an offseason trade. The move puts pressure on incumbent starter Keibert Ruiz, who posted -1.9 WAR over the past three seasons. Ruiz ranked as the worst defensive catcher in baseball during that stretch while also struggling offensively with a 79 wRC+. The acquisition suggests Washington may be reconsidering Ruiz's role as the team's primary catcher.

Read brief →Source: Blogs ↗Confidence 75%

NewsWSHMay 29, 10:55 AM EDT

MLB Labor Talks Begin With Wide Gap Between Owners and Players

Both sides have submitted opening proposals, but the distance between them suggests a work stoppage after the current CBA expires is a real possibility.

MLB and the MLBPA have exchanged initial proposals for the next collective bargaining agreement. Key sticking points include a potential salary cap, driven in part by the financial dominance of teams like the Dodgers. Analysts widely expect negotiations to be contentious, with a work stoppage viewed as likely rather than merely possible. The outcome will have broad implications for all 30 franchises, including the Washington Nationals.

Read brief →Source: Sports ↗Confidence 60%

News