The Returns: The Morning Briefing

The Commanders Report: Yesterday, the Washington Commanders finished their highly successful 2024-2025 season with another thrilling win over the Dallas Cowboys 23-19.

Washington Commanders Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin now holds the franchise record for most receiving TDs in a season with his game-winning touchdown to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas. The Commanders will finish the regular season by going 12-5 for the first time since 1991. What an amazing season, and Good luck to the Commanders in the Playoffs, as they look to win their first playoff game since 2005. Here is the winning touchdown by Terry McLeaurin to secure the win.

QB Marcus Mariota threw two TDs with no interceptions; he also went 15/18 with 161 Yds and had five rushes, with a total of 56 yards, which turns out to be 11.21 yards per carry.

Must Watch TV. The Washington Commanders will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Primetime on Sunday, January 12, at 8:00 pm ET on NBC/Peacock.

Nationals 20th Anniversary Season!. Welcome to 2025! Can you believe it's been 20 years since the Washington Nationals graced the diamond in our nation's capital?

To commemorate this milestone, the Nats Report is thrilled to unveil our "20 Moments" series – a curated collection of the most unforgettable moments from the past two decades of baseball in D.C.

For our valued Nats Report+ Members, enjoy an exclusive sneak peek of these cherished memories before being shared with the world every Monday morning leading up to Opening Day by scrolling down to the bottom of this email.

Please make it stop. The MASN-Washington Nationals battle seems to be something that will never end. Last week, Matt Weyerich from the Baltimore Sun reported that the Nationals recently filed a petition seeking to enforce a ruling that the Orioles and MASN owe them over $320 million. "The Nationals recently filed a petition with the New York Supreme Court to enforce a committee's ruling that the Orioles and MASN owe them approximately $320.5 million in rights fees for the 2022-2026 seasons. This sum includes significant backpay for the past three seasons (2022-2024), roughly $203.9 million, and future payments for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. For context, the Nationals' estimated 2024 player payroll was around $130 million, according to RosterResource."

Why this matters: Washington Nationals are owed a significant amount of money, which should be paid to the organization; I mean, if you owed money, it shouldn't be this hard to collect what you are owed. Bottom line, full stop, or whatever you want to say. Major League Baseball inks national broadcasting deals and handles local broadcasting of Padres games and other teams, as reported.

This is the amount of revenue that the other NL East teams have gotten from their regional broadcasting deals from highest to lowest (data via MLB Trade Rumors)

• Philadelphia Phillies: RSN deal with NBC Sports Philadelphia. ’23 figure unreported; ’22 revenue: $125MM
• Atlanta Braves: RSN deal with Diamond Sports Group. Expected '23 revenues north of $100MM (reported by Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in November '21).
• New York Mets: RSN deal with SNY. ’23 figure unreported; ’22 revenue: $88MM.
• Miami Marlins: RSN deal with Diamond Sports Group. ’23 figure unreported; ’22 revenue: $49MM

According to the data collected, the Washington Nationals would have gotten $61MM in 2022 in revenue; however, this is still tied up in litigation.

MLB has either willfully ignored this situation or doesn't care; it's embarrassing and should have been addressed when David Rubenstein bought the Orioles. The Nationals are at a competitive disadvantage, as the other NL East teams have amassed another revenue stream from broadcasting rights.

👋 Good Monday morning, Washington Nationals fans. Here is the latest news analysis and more about the Washington Nationals organization for Monday, January 6, 2025, and welcome to the Morning Briefing, our first edition for 2025.

🔄 Welcome Back. The Washington Nationals announced they had re-signed RHP Trevor Williams to a two-year, $14 million deal. Last year, Williams, 32, demonstrated strong pitching form, compiling a 2.03 ERA across 13 starts. Unfortunately, a right flexor muscle strain interrupted his season, limiting his overall appearances.

Williams met with reporters last week and talked about a wide range of topics, including wanting to return to D.C., the growth he has seen in the prospects and the team over the past two years, and so much more. From our article: "Williams candidly discussed was the challenges of his injury-plagued 2024 season. 'Rehab was tough,' he admitted. 'There were days I wanted to bang my head against the wall. But the training staff kept me grounded, reminding me to focus on the small victories each day.'"

The Nats Report Perspective: RHP Trevor Williams had a limited but impactful 2024 season. The right-hander made only 13 starts, missing significant time due to a right flexor muscle strain. Despite these setbacks, Williams was highly effective on the mound, finishing with a 6-1 record, a remarkable 2.03 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP.

During his starts, the Nationals were an impressive 10-3. Williams consistently delivered quality innings, completing at least five frames every outing. He allowed no more than three earned runs in 12 of his 13 appearances and notably went on a 45 1/3-inning homerless streak to start the season.

Signing the right-hander to a two-year contract secures Williams as a veteran right-handed presence in a young starting rotation, provided he can maintain his health.

Overall Grade: B+

What do you think? Let us know by hitting us up on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook, leaving a comment below (for Nats Report+ subscribers only), or emailing us.

🔔 Ring the Bell again. The Washington Nationals announced that they have agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell on a one-year contract. Bell, 32, joins the Nationals after he hit 0.249 with 23 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, and 71 RBI in 145 games between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. He capped off the season by batting 0.304 with six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, and 31 RBI in 48 games after July 21.

Bell returns to the Washington Nationals after he hit 0.278 with 48 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs, and 145 RBI in 247 games with the Nationals between 2021 and 2022. During those two seasons, he hit 0.302 with 25 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs, and 72 RBI in 125 games at Nationals Park.

⏪ Looking back. Bill looks back at what he thought was the Rochester Red Wings' most memorable game of 2024 in the latest edition of the Rochester Report. "On Wednesday, June 13, it was announced that Gerrit Cole would be starting for Scranton on Friday night, and ticket sales exploded for that game. Innovative Field in Rochester seats 10,800 fans. On Thursday night, the seats were sold out for Friday night's game, and on Friday, you could only buy standing-room-only seats." Read the full report here.

🧢 Nationals sign RHP Patrick Weigel. While we were all taking some time to enjoy friends and family, the Washington Nationals were a bit busy by signing RHP Patrick Weigel to a Minor League Deal. Talk Nats first reported this deal on December 29, 2024. Right-hander Chad Weigel, 30, embarks on his fifth MLB organization with the Washington Nationals. Be sure to check out our full perspective in today's edition of theFUTURE.

Talking about theFUTURE...

➡️ Step into theFUTURE. Don't forget to subscribe to our dedicated e-newsletter, theFUTURE, about the Washington Nationals minor leagues. We are the ONLY website with a dedicated newsletter on the Washington Nationals minor leagues. Get game recaps from all the Washington Nationals minor league teams, closer looks at upcoming Washington Nationals Prospects, and more. Subscribe right here and step into theFUTURE with us.

📌 Some ideas on how the Nationals can fill their hole at third base (Federal Baseball)

📌 The best-projected players to change teams so far (MLB)

📌 Teams winning MLB offseason and those in need of a move (ESPN+)

Nationals 20th Anniversary Season