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The Morning Briefing: The Nationals Get Some New Threads for 2021

The Morning Briefing: The Nationals Get Some New Threads for 2021

January 21, 2021 • Reading Time: 7 minutes

Good Thursday Morning, Washington Nationals Fans.

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New Year, New Logo, New Gear. The Washington Nationals and MLB released a new alternative logo on some new gear for what we think is the 2021 season. [Click here to see the new logo on the gear.]

Rizzo Still Shopping?

Jesse Dougherty, who covers the Washington Nationals for the Washington Post, wrote an interesting article worth reading. The piece focuses on the flexibility of the Nationals budget to address their remaining roster needs, despite the recent signing of veteran pitcher Jon Lester. From the article: "The Nationals have just below $183 million committed to 40-man roster players for 2021. That puts Washington around $27 million below the threshold, set at $210 million for this year. And if General Manager Mike Rizzo wants to leave a cushion below the threshold — as he often does for in-season additions — the front office has about $17 million to get a second catcher, a backup first baseman and a reliever or two if it believes the bullpen isn't finished." [Click here to read the full article]

Astro-Jays? After initial reports stating that free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, it turns out that Brantley is returning to Houston to play for the Astros, rather than joining former teammate George Springer in the Jays' outfield.

According to Mark Berman, Sports Director at Fox 26, outfielder and free agent Michael Brantley is returning to the Houston Astros. [Click here to read the article]

Talking about the Toronto Blue Jays. According to a Tampa Bay Times report, the Blue Jays "could join the Raptors as Toronto teams making their temporary regular-season home in the Tampa Bay area. If coronavirus travel restrictions prevent the Jays from returning home for the start of the major-league season in April, their most likely option appears to be playing at their spring training stadium in Dunedin.

In doing so, the Jays would have use of TD Ballpark stadium, which re-opened in spring 2020 after extensive upgrades, as well as their recently completed state-of-the-art player development center, which has major-league training, medical and conditioning facilities, and equipment."

On a lighter note, who doesn't love the baseball movie A League of Their Own? The movie is considered one of America's most beloved sports films, and it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2012. And if you've seen it, there's no chance you haven't uttered the phrase, "There's no crying in baseball!" at least once or, more realistically, dozens of times, in your life. Here are 24 interesting facts about the movie that you might have or might not have known.

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PODCAST ALERT:

Richard sits down with Chris Russell from 106.7 the Fan and Team 980 to discuss the signing of left-hander veteran pitcher Jon Lester and all things Washington Nationals. Take a listen and then review, rate and subscribe.