Good Morning Washington Nationals Fans,

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, December 15, 2023. My name is Haden and let’s dive into the news.

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Leading today’s Morning Briefing: Nationals file lawsuit against Orioles for TV money from 2017 to 2021

The Nationals filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court against the Baltimore Orioles over television revenue from 2017 to 2021. The Nationals are using this lawsuit to confirm a previous arbitration ruling in favor of the Nationals that awarded them $305 million. Earlier this year, the Nationals and Orioles came to an agreement on revenues from 2012 to 2016 that awarded them a little over $100 million. While it is entirely possible the Nationals receive the full $305M, the much likelier option is the two clubs settle for an agreed-upon amount.

Around the MLB

The Tampa Bays Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a significant trade late last night, with the Rays sending starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Manuel Margot, and $4M in exchange for prospects pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca. The Dodgers added one of the game’s best starting pitchers, when healthy, and a right-handed outfielder that they can comfortably platoon with Jason Heyward. In exchange, the Rays receive $33M in salary relief this year, along with a starting pitcher who seemingly solved the command issues that plagued him in the minors and an outfielder who, if he learns to pull the ball more, could be a consistent bat just outside of the middle of the order.

The Detroit Tigers added starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to a one-year $14M deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Flaherty has struggled since his dominant stretch in the second half of 2019. The Tigers added much-needed innings to a rotation that is full of young pitchers coming off injury-shortened seasons.

The Texas Rangers signed starting pitcher Tyler Mahle to a two-year, $22M deal, according to Jeff Passan. Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery mid-season last year, and will not be back until the second half of 2024.

The Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Hunter Renfroe to a one-year deal with a player option for 2025 worth $13M, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Renfroe has bounced around the league of late, playing for six different teams since the start of 2019. While last year was a down year, Renfroe generally provided average to above-average output offensively and has been one of the best accumulators of outfield assists, leading the league in that category since the start of 2019.

ICYMI: Latest articles on the Nats Report

Even though it is the offseason, we have been extremely busy producing a lot of great content here on the Nats Report. Here are just a couple of the articles that we have published recently that you might have missed:

• Podcast: In the Clubhouse (Nick Senzel and Dylan Floro signings)
• How does Dylan Floro’s signing with the Nationals impact the team’s 2024 outlook?
• Perspective: Juan Soto to Nats isn’t as Crazy as you Think.
• Perspective: When is Enough, Enough?
• Exploring the Impact of the Nationals Outfield on the Future

We are working on a lot of great Nationals-themed content all off-season so make sure that you are following us on all the major social media channels for the latest.

Featured Story of the Day

The Angels declined to match Dodgers’ offer to Shohei Ohtani via The Athletic

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