The Morning Briefing: Washington Nationals announce 2021 Spring Training non-roster invitees

The Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 18, 2021 includes Washington Nationals announce 2021 Spring Training non-roster invitees and other Nationals Headlines

by Richard Wachtel

Updated February 18, 2021

Good Thursday Morning, Washington Nationals Fans.

Today is Thursday, February 18, 2021 and Pitchers and Catchers Reported to Spring Training yesterday. We are looking forward to things picking up from West Palm Beach.

Make sure to follow The Nats Report on Twitter for updates on the latest from the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball during the day!

Today's weather in West Palm Beach according to Weather.com: 84 degrees and cloudy with a 7% chance of rain. (Scroll down further for the ten day weather forecast)

Countdown Clock:
Exhibition Games Begin: 12 Days
Opening Day 2021: 43 Days
2021 MLB All-Star Game: 146 Days

Today's Morning Briefing was written by Richard and edited by Jonthan.

Today's Top Story: Washington Nationals announce 2021 Spring Training non-roster invitees

It was pretty quiet on the news front from West Palm Beach for the majority of the day. There were no pictures of pitchers and catchers arriving at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. However, towards the end of the day, the Washington Nationals released their non-roster invitees to Spring Training. There were some new faces on the list such as pitching prospect Cade Cavalli and some familiar faces such as Aaron Barrett and Gerardo Parra.

Click here to read the full article

The Last Washington Nationals Bench Spot: Yadiel Hernandez?

Yadiel Hernandez was up with the big club for a grand total of 12 games during the 2020 season and while he did not tear the cover off the ball, could we see him during the 2021 season? Frank at Nationals Source takes a closer look if this prospect could appear at the Major League level this season.

Click here to read the full article

Question of the Day: What would a Trea Turner Extension Look Like?

Frank, takes a closer look at what a Trea Turner extension would look like. An excerpt from the article: "Obviously, there is a bigger extension fans would like to talk about, but Juan Soto and extensions won’t be a discussion any time soon with Scott Boras steering his ship. On the other hand, Trea Turner has told the Washington Post that he wants to be here, stating that he hopes he is the “position player they invest in.”

Quite frankly, Turner deserves it. He was a huge part of our World Series winning team and he played with a broken right index finger, famously batting with only nine fingers throughout the championship run."

Click here to read the full article trending now on the Nats Report

Podcast Alert: In the Clubhouse with the Nats Report

Don't miss Richard's conversation with with Washington Nationals Pitching Prospect Cade Cavalli. It was a great conversation with the Pitching prospect and hopefully we will get him back on the show soon to talk about his first big league Spring Training Invite.

Apple : https://apple.co/2MGkpfq

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38ZRo5Z

Click here to listen to Richard's Conversation on Your Favorite Podcasting Platform.

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Ten Day Weather Forecast for West Palm Beach according to Weather.com

Thursday - 84 and cloudy
Friday - 85 and cloudy
Saturday - 72 and cloudy
Sunday - 73 and cloudy
Monday - 77 with a 40% chance of rain
Tuesday - 75 and cloudy
Wednesday - 78 and sunny

League News: New York Mets Outfielder Tim Tebow Announces Retirement & Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. agree to mammoth 14-year, $340 million contract extension, per reports

Tim Tebow News:

Despite receiving an invite to Spring Training, Mets Minor League Outfielder Tim Tebow announced his retirement from professional baseball. In a move that was panned as a publicity stunt, the Mets signed the former NFL quarterback to a minor-league deal in September of 2016. Tebow started his career with the Mets' instructional league that Fall and worked his way up through their minor league system before finishing his career with 77 games for the AAA Syracuse Mets during the 2019 season. In 287 minor league games, Tebow batted .223/.299/.338 with 18 home runs and 107 RBI.

In a statement on Twitter, Tebow stated: “I want to thank the Mets, Mr. Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization. I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions." The 33-year-old Tebow first gained fame as a football player at the University of Florida. After serving as a backup quarterback on the Gators 2006 National Championship team, Tebow led the team to a 13-1 record and won the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player enroute to the 2009 BCS Championship.

Selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Tebow continued his football career with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets before retiring to become a college football analyst for the SEC Network and ESPN. Despite his attempt at a career in professional baseball, Tebow has continued his role as a college football analyst and chairman of the Tim Tebow Foundation, which helps special needs children and orphans, while also crusading against human trafficking.

Fernando Tatis Jr. agree to mammoth 14-year Contract:

It was reported last night that San Diego Padre shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. agreeded to a megal 14-year, $30 million dollar contract extension. The star shortstop has committed to a record-breaking long-term deal to stay in San Diego. Here are some of the reported details of the contract:

Fully Guaranteed;
No Deferred Money;
a signing bonus north of $10 million;
and a Full No-Trade Clause.

Crazy item to note in regards to the Tatis Jr. deal. When Fernando Tatis Jr’s contract ends, the Mets will still have one year left to pay Bobby Bonilla.