January is typically the doldrums of the MLB offseason. Never mind that it is just a few days until the two-year anniversary of the Nationals’ signing of Max Scherzer: At this point in the offseason, most teams have made their moves and are filling their teams out around the edges. The Nationals have surely already made their biggest move in offloading several top prospects for Adam Eaton.
Sammy Solis: International Man of Mystery
The only trip Sammy Solis took during the 2016 season was to the DL, preventing him from contributing on the mound or to Washington’s playoff clinch celebration. The offseason has been much more kind to him in terms of vacation spots.
Negro Leagues Museum Relays Another Great Dusty Story
There are few metaphors grand enough to do justice by the magnitude of Dusty Baker’s life experience. He recounts smoking a joint with Jimi Hendrix, calls President Obama a friend, and served six years in the Marines.
Continue Reading Negro Leagues Museum Relays Another Great Dusty Story
Nats Celebrate Christmas
With Rhett Wiseman, RC Orlan, and Nick Rickles still in the minors, there are no Jewish Nationals at the major league level. So, while the first night of Hanukah and Christmas eve fell on the same night, setting up the potential for a cross-holiday social media spectacular, a naked baby Eaton in a Santa hat and Ryan Zimmerman juggling limes will do just fine in its place.
Gio’s Son Rocks Santa Hat, Meets Santa
Gio Gonzalez and girlfriend Lea Moures welcomed their baby boy Enzo into the world on 17 Mar 2016. Since then, the little one has apparently developed a drive to become the next Santa.
Gio posted little Enzo posing on Santa’s lap on Thursday evening. The picture is adorable, and Enzo is visibly excited. He even has his tiny little baby thumb up in the air and is sporting a convincing “Can you believe it’s him?” face. He’s a far cry from the kids who can’t keep it together long enough for a worthwhile picture on the Big Man’s lap. Enzo’s Santa hat even rivals that of the real Mr. Claus. A real “Who Wore it Better” situation.
Bryce (Finally) Ties the Knot
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner tied the knot this Friday in La Jolla, San Diego. As any good wedding does, it had rain, photo booths, and Nationals players in tuxedos.
Robles, Giolito, and the Long View
If there is ever an example of a team committing to a hard choice, it is the Washington Nationals in their recent trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Nationals Acquire Adam Eaton
A day after it looked like the Nationals had missed their chance at making a blockbuster trade with the White Sox, the Nationals ended up making a blockbuster trade with the White Sox. Outfielder Adam Eaton, and not pitcher Chris Sale, is now a National while DC waves goodbye to a trio of promising pitching prospects: Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Dane Dunning.
Derek Norris Returns to DC
Time is a flat circle, so it’s only fitting that Derek Norris is returning to DC. After the Nationals shipped him to Oakland as part of the deal that brought Gio Gonzalez to DC, Norris has been dealt back to the team that originally drafted him. In a deal announced Friday, the Nationals found a potential Wilson Ramos replacement in the former Padre Norris in exchange for Single-A pitcher Pedro Avila.
Free Willy
Jon Heyman has officially reported that Wilson Ramos has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays (pending physical), leaving Nationals fans with quite a few memories to sift through. Ramos’ timeline in the nation’s capital is marked with a kidnapping and a return, an All-Star season, and a montage of dejected opposing runners making their way to the dugout from second base. There are Buffalo bat drops on moonshots and Buffalo bat flips on wallscrapers mixed in on his timeline, too. Though visions of the double plays he grounded into (83 to be exact) will eventually fade, there are specific memories of Ramos that deserve to be revisited.