Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans,
We will try to do something new this morning; instead of just sharing links, we will get you ready for the weekend.
If you like the new format, please let us know what you think in the comment section below. We want your feedback.
Here are today’s latest Washington Nationals & MLB Headlines and what else you need to know to start your day.
The One about Michael Taylor.
Yesterday, the Washington Nationals announced that outfielder Michael A. Taylor had cleared waivers and opted to become a free agent. By opting to become a free agent, this most likely marks the end of Michael Taylor in a Washington Nationals uniform. Read our report.
Todd Dybas from NBC Sports Washington and Mark Zuckerman from MASN Sports also discusses and looks at the change coming to the Nationals outfield in 2021.
Additionally, on the Nats Report, we make the case that Michael Taylor is the best postseason hitter for the Washington Nationals. From our article:
"...To provide you with a bit of perspective, in that same series, then Washington Nationals player Bryce Harper's batting average was only .211, and Harper had only three RBI's and one home run, and four hits. We will let that sink in for a bit. Additionally, during that series, Ryan Zimmerman had a batting average of .150, 4 RBI's, 1 Homerun, and a total of three hits." [Read the full article here]
Happy 1st Anniversary
It's been one year since the Washington Nationals swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. We all know the rest of the story, our friends at Federal Baseball has a great wrap up article on how Howie Kendrick is in a very different spot from a year ago. From the article:
"Something that was kept under wraps at the time he re-signed was that the now-37-year-old planned for the celebratory 2020 season to be his last hurrah as a major league player." [Read the full article here]
Should the Nationals go after George Springer in Free Agency?
Chase Hughes from NBC Sports Washington wrote an interesting article about why the Washington Nationals should go after George Springer in free agency. From the article:
"One guy who would help in a major way is George Springer, the Houston Astros outfielder who is set to be one of the top free agents on the market. Many 2021 MLB free-agent rankings have him in the top-five among available players, often just behind catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitcher Trevor Bauer.
Signing a top position player free agent has not been the Nationals' way in recent years, at least not since they gave Jayson Werth a seven-year deal back in 2010. They have been more known for paying pitchers and letting their high-priced position players walk..." [Read the full article here]
Here are some other Washington Nationals Headlines that we are looking at this Friday Morning:
- Juan Soto, a finalist for Players Choice Award for 2020 NL Outstanding Player via MLB [Vote for Soto Here]
- Washington Nationals: Finding a closer on the open market via District on Deck
- Washington Nationals' prospect Jackson Rutledge makes a move to Florida via Federal Baseball
- Chip Hale on not being retained by Nationals: 'You never want to be where you're not wanted' via The Washington Post
- Nationals GM for a day: Finding a path back to contention via NBC Sports Washington
Around the League: the Championship Series
The Houston Astros were able to force another game against the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the Rays are still up 3-2 overall in the series. The Astros won 4-3 off a Carlos Correa Walk-off Homerun at the bottom of the ninth. [Full recap here]
Red-hot Randy Arozarena's 5th-inning home run was his 6th of the postseason, which tied a rookie record. However, the Rays were unable to cool the Astros bats. The Astros jumped out to an early lead when George Springer launched a home run in the bottom of the first inning.
In the National League Championship Series
The Atlanta Braves are one win away from advancing to the 2020 World Series. They beat the LA Dodgers last night with a score of 2-10. MLB.com examines Clayton Kershaw's October history and legacy, and it doesn't look good. [Read the full article here]
Just in case you missed it, on Wednesday, the Dodgers jumped to an 11 run lead in the first inning of Game 3. [Related Link: Why no playoff team did what LA did in the first on Wednesday via MLB]
In the National League Championship Series
Here are some other headlines from around the league: