The Morning Briefing: The One about Carter Kieboom

by Richard Wachtel

Updated October 29, 2020

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Now for today's top story: Is the Carter Kieboom Experiment Over?

Today, on the Nats Report, we will be publishing an article wondering if the Carter Kieboom experiment at third base has reached a critical stage.

Carter Keiboom took over full-time responsibilities at third base when fan-favorite Anthony Rendon left the Nationals for LA. Therefore, 2021 will mark the second time Carter Kieboom will possibly and most likely unless something changes are the Washington Nationals 3rd baseman. [Make sure to head to The Nats Report during the day to read that interesting article.]

Over the past two seasons, we have seen Carter Kieboom at third base and shortstop, and his results have been mixed. Additionally, Kieboom has been sent down to the minors each season after getting a chance to prove himself at a major league level.

At some point, we think that the Nationals brass needs to decide on how long they are going to be in the Carter Kieboom business, and 2021 might be that year.

In free agency news, according to Mark Zuckerman of Mid Atlantic Sports Network Washington, the Washington Nationals have declined the 2021 club options for Adam Eaton and Aníbal Sánchez and declined their portions of the 2021 mutual options for Howie Kendrick and Eric Thames. [Read the full article here]

In yesterday's Morning Briefing, we talked about the possibility of outfielder George Springer hitting the off-season market. Right now, featured on The Nats Report, we take a deeper dive into some of the possible landing spots for the outfielder, including the Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and a surprising sleeper team in the National League. [Read the full article]

Lastly, yesterday, the Washington Nationals announced the coaching staff for the 2021 season; you can see the staff's full list here on the Nats Report.

Additional Washington Nationals Headlines:

Washington Nationals' Davey Martinez on developing his own identity as a manager via Federal Baseball
Kevin Cash's Decision To Pull Snell Brings Back Flashbacks Of 2014 and 2019 via District on Deck
Ranking possible free agent targets for the Nationals via NBC Sports Washington
We are officially in the off-season, and the free-agent clock has started! via Talk Nats

Around the Horn: News from Major League Baseball

Justin Turner COVID Controversy

As we mentioned yesterday, there wouldn't be a world series or a playoff series without controversy; well, we have two! Well, for those who haven't been paying attention to the news, the controversy that we are going to be talking about is Justin Turner disregarding COVID protocols. For some background: During Game 6, Justin Turner got a positive test result back for COVID-19. Turner was later seen on the field celebrating with his team mates and kissing his wife, which is not what someone should be doing after testing positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by MLB on Wednesday, "Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers' victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others. While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner's decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply." After his wife tested negative, Turner and his wife remained in Arlington, and a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The wife of an unnamed Rays player tested positive Wednesday, and she and her contacts stayed in Arlington, the source said. The player tested negative and flew back with the team.

We at the Nats Report will be all over this story as it develops.

Other Major League Headlines: