The Morning Briefing: Naming Rights for the Astros and Nationals Spring Training Facility Change.

Spring Training is only a month away, its going to be a crazy bunch of weeks so let's get ready with today's Washington Nationals and Major Leauge Baseeball Headlines and News.

by Richard Wachtel

Updated January 12, 2021

Good Tuesday Morning, Washington Nationals Fans.

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Washington Nationals Top Story: Naming Rights for the Astros and Nationals Spring Training Facility Change?

Our friend Steve Mears from TalkNats.com reports from a source that the Nationals and Astros spring training home will no longer be called #FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. That sponsorship with naming rights began in Feb 2018. Stay tuned. The teams are NOT relocating. From what we are hearing, this just blew up on Friday morning, and what makes it more interesting is the naming rights that were only for three years, which began back in February of 2018. On February 16, 2018, The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches was renamed FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches after the Astros and Nationals signed a 12-year deal for naming rights to the stadium. What is interesting to note, this change comes under three years into the 12-year sponsorship deal. Did something and what occurred to change the sponsorship deal this quickly? [Read more about this news here]

Sports Betting is coming to Nationals Park in 2021 and beyond.

Yesterday, According to a Press Release, the Washington Nationals, and BetMGM Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Partnership, along with a launch of a mobile app and first-ever BetMGM Sportsbook connected to a stadium. According to the news release, the BetMGM sportsbook will be located where Center Field Social (across Center Field Plaza from the Nationals Team Store) resides. This partnership will give fans a stadium view and sports betting experience that complements MGM National Harbor Dugout Club, a sports box located adjacent to the team's dugout. [Read more by clicking here]

Eugenio Suarez Rumor to the Nationals? Jon Heyman, an MLB insider at MLB Network, tweeted that the Washington Nationals have had talks with the Cincinnati Reds about trading for their third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Heyman reported that the "Nats talked to Reds about 3B Eugenio Suarez but Washington has made top RHP prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli unavailable, making a deal pretty unlikely. Reds aren't anxious to trade their top position player, though none of their players are off limits." On the Nats Report, we take a closer look at why Rizzo and Co should exercise patience and not make a rash decision to trade away some key pitching prospects. [Click here to read the article]

In Major League Baseball news, late last night, the Chicago White Sox reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with top closer Liam Hendriks with a club option for a fourth year. Sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that Hendriks is guaranteed $54 million over the life of the uniquely structured contract, which includes a $15 million club option for a fourth season in 2024 or a $15 million buyout that would be paid out over a designated period.

Teams that have made a big splash this offseason so far: The San Deigo Padres, Chicago White Sox, and the New York Mets have all made significant changes to their lineups. There are still a lot of top-name free agents that are still unsigned, and pitchers and catchers are set to report next month, so hang on to your cleats it's going to be an exciting couple of weeks. Make sure that you follow us on Twitter so that you know the latest.

Talking about the upcoming season: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred informed teams yesterday that they should be preparing for spring training to start on time in February and to "plan on a full 162-game season being played," according to USA Today Sports, Bob Nightengale. [Click here to read the full article]