(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The 2019 Washington Nationals were the league’s best team, winning the World Series in impressive fashion against the Houston Astros.
After that, it was time to make decisions for GM Mike Rizzo.
He was faced with offering a huge contract to one of two stars: Anthony Rendon or Stephen Strasburg.
Everything that happened after that had direct implications on the Nats’ short-term future and Rizzo’s own job security, as we will explain.
First, it’s important to report Friday’s news involving Rizzo: MLB insider Bob Nightengale states he will stay in his position and will soon sign an extension.
“Washington #Nats GM Mike Rizzo is staying put in Washington where he already won one World Series title and is building towards another. His well-deserved extension will soon become official,” he tweeted.
Washington #Nats GM Mike Rizzo is staying put in Washington where he already won one World Series title and is building towards another. His well-deserved extension will soon become official.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 25, 2023
After opting to sign Strasburg in late 2019, his thoracic outlet syndrome-related issues started and robbed him the better part of the next four seasons including 2023.
They became so bad that the player will retire.
However, Rendon himself hasn’t been much better (or healthier) in Los Angeles.
With the retirements of Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick, the debacle of Patrick Corbin and the Strasburg situation, the team started to struggle and they became sellers, trading Trea Turner, Max Scherzer, Juan Soto, and many others over the years.
Perhaps Rizzo made mistakes, but he knew how to play the hand that was dealt to him and turned most of those players in quality prospects/young contributors: MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, James Wood, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana, Keibert Ruiz, and several more.
Now, the Nationals are 59-69, not so far from the record of a .500 team, and with Abrams and other young players looking like future stars.
Perhaps in two years from now, another contention window will open up for the Nats.
Rizzo will be there to oversee things.
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