I was among the many sports reporters laid off by The Washington Post today. Feeling a lot of gratitude for my time working for this paper. Not looking back. Looking ahead to what’s next!

Some agent news: catcher Harry Ford is now being repped by ROC Nation after previously being w/Boras Corp. Ford was acquired w/pitcher Isaac Lyon for Jose A. Ferrer in December. Should compete for the starting catcher job this spring, ROC Nation also reps shortstop CJ Abrams.

Few things that stand out about the Nats’ minor league dev. staff at first glance: - An assistant/associate athletic trainer & strength and conditioning coach at each level (Only 1 trainer/S&D coach before) - A defensive coach at each level - Asst. pitching coaches at affiliates

Andry Lara, who was DFA'd to clear space for utility player Mickey Gasper, cleared outright waivers and has been assigned outright to Triple-A Rochester.

Just wanted to take a minute, for no particular reason whatsoever, and celebrate some of the brilliant work that my @postsports.bsky.social colleagues have done in recent weeks. These stories take time and resources. They're also what make The Post so great. All gift links/free to read...

People ask me what my favorite part of working at The Post is and I often tell them my granddad. A native Washingtonian, he’s an avid sports fan. When I was hired in 2021, it was a full-circle moment for my family. Serving local readers like him is a privilege. #SaveThePost

I know what you're thinking: man, I wish @spencernusbaum.bsky.social and Andrew had a story detailing what they've heard from talent evaluators across baseball about the prospects acquired in the MacKenzie Gore trade. Lucky for you, we came through:

Paul Toboni, speaking to the local media: "If you asked me a week ago was this going to happen? I probably would have said no. But over the course of the last week, just momentum built and finally got to a spot where it made sense for us."

Talked to one baseball evaluator who said this package give the Nats depth and restocks their farm system. Added "it probably puts them in conversation to have a top-five farm system," though four of the five prospects aren’t particularly close to reaching the majors.

Here's our initial story on MacKenzie Gore, who was traded to the Texas Rangers for five prospects. w/ @chelseajanes.bsky.social and @spencernusbaum.bsky.social:

The Nationals claimed UTL Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and DFA’d Andry Lara. Gasper has appeared in 58 big league games over the last 2 seasons The positions he’s played in those games: DH, 1B, 2B, LF and C.

Can confirm that LHP Zach Penrod and the Nationals are in agreement on a minor-league deal. @willsammon.bsky.social was first. Penrod, a former Red Sox prospect, made 7 big league appearances with Boston in 2024.

Some Nationals broadcasting news: The Nationals are planning to hire Alexa Datt as the team’s new sideline reporter, per sources. Datt was most recently part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ television coverage.

Are you or someone you know going to the Caps' Pride game on Saturday? Have you watched Heated Rivalry? Is, by chance, anyone going to the game *because* they watched Heated Rivalry? If any of that fits you, my DMs are open. Working on a story and would love to chat!

Next week, the Nationals are hosting a supplemental camp for ~60 minor leaguers before spring training starts. Talked to AGM Devin Pearson about why. That, plus some prospects who will be there, updates on new technology/spending and more: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...

The Nationals have claimed pitcher Paxton Schultz off waivers, per source. Schultz pitched in 13 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Was used as a reliever/opener in 2025. He was DFA’d so Toronto could clear space on their roster for Kazuma Okamoto.

CJ Abrams and the Nationals have agreed at $4.2 million to avoid arbitration, per source.

Can confirm that the Nationals have claimed outfielder Joey Wiemer off waivers from the Giants. Robert Murray was first. Former top-100 prospect has played in 180 MLB games, most recently with the Marlins. Was traded to SF in November.

Just to add what I can to the MASN discourse, Nats can always choose to have MLB handle production and distribution of games, as league does for San Diego/AZ/etc. My understanding is that in that case Nats receive whatever revenue they get from any cable deals and streaming subs

Wanted to provide clarity re: MASN contract. The Nationals’ contract with MASN expires at the end of February, both the Nats/O’s confirm to @chelseajanes.bsky.social and me. None of this is to say the Nats won’t opt to go in a different direction with their TV rights. But still with MASN.

The Nationals have signed 1B Matt Mervis to a minor league deal w/a non-roster invite to ST, per sources. @jonheyman.bsky.social was first. Mervis, 27, has played 78 big league games with CHC/MIA over 3 seasons. Played at Georgetown Prep. 1B depth for the Nationals.

The Nationals 2026 coaching staff has been announced. They have a second assistant hitting coach — Shawn O’Malley, a previously unreported name. O’Malley was the Seattle Mariners’ AAA hitting coach for the last two seasons. Played 124 major league games in his career.

Foster Griffin just spoke with the local media. Said he left for Japan after 2022 to re-establish himself as starter. Getting back to the majors wasn't on his mind. Three years later, the Nats presented him with an opportunity to be a starter, which "was very appealing."

Back in November, Paul Toboni said, for the time being, he wasn't planning on hiring a GM. But during his initial press conference back in October, he said he had the support to hire one if he felt it was best for the organization:

The Nationals are hiring Ani Kilambi as the team's general manager, sources tell @spencernusbaum.bsky.social and me. @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social was first. Kilambi, 31, was an assistant GM with the Philadelphia Phillies. Oversaw Philly's R&D department.

The Nationals have their first free agent signing of the winter: Foster Griffin. More here on the 30-year-old lefty who spent the last 3 seasons in Japan:

Can confirm that the Nationals have completed a one-for-one trade, as @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social reported. Nationals get RHP Luis Perales. Red Sox get LHP Jake Bennett.

Can confirm that RHP Josiah Gray agreed to a 1 year, $1.35 million deal to avoid arbitration. @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social was first. Earlier this week, POBO Paul Toboni said that Gray, a 2023 all-star, was “in a really good spot” to be ready to go for spring training.

In the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Nationals selected Sandy Gaston, right-handed pitcher from the Angels' Double A roster.

For the fourth straight year, the Nationals take a player in the Rule 5 Draft. This time around, it's Griff McGarry, a right-handed pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies.

What I’m hearing at the winter meetings about how teams view CJ Abrams, plus more remarks from new manager Blake Butera about his thoughts on Abrams and the team’s goals for 2026:

The Nationals have the 11th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Blake Butera acknowledged the average age of his staff earlier: "That wasn't on purpose. We weren't trying to get young staff. Someone made a joke like, 'Did you tell Paul when you got hired that the staff has to be under 40 years old?' "You might not believe me, but no."

Blake Butera just spoke here in Orlando. Mentioned that he met with MacKenzie Gore in NC last week and his staff has begun meeting with players. Added James Wood and bench coach Michael Johns were working on outfield defense this weekend in Florida.

We just talked to Devin Pearson and Paul Toboni. Their answers about technology stood out to me among other things:

A few positional notes from Paul Toboni: He views Harry Ford as a catcher. Said his hope is that in a few years, he'll be an impactful defensive catcher. Also said Luis García Jr. will continue to get reps at 1B in the winter leagues. Believes it'll make him more versatile.

Paul Toboni said the team would be “negligent” not to listen to offers for MacKenzie Gore or CJ Abrams. But the price to get either will be high. Some teams were interested in Gore at this year’s deadline. More teams are interested this winter:

Harry Ford spoke on a Zoom earlier this morning. Said the trade “hit him pretty hard,” but added he’s looking forward to building with the young Nats roster. “I’m excited to be around some grinders and some dudes who are ready to get after it.”

Here's the short newser on the Nationals trading reliever Jose A. Ferrer for catcher Harry Ford and right-hander Isaac Lyon:

Hearing the Nationals are close to finalizing a deal to trade reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners.

The Nationals are hiring C.J. Gillman as their director of hitting for the minor leagues, per source. Gillman most recently served as a hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.

Pre-arbitration bonuses for the Nationals who qualified, as reported earlier by @apnews.com: James Wood — $424,554 CJ Abrams — $403,973 Daylen Lile — $150,000

Some Nationals coaching news: Washington is planning to hire Andrew Aydt as its assistant hitting coach, per sources. Aydt serves as the assistant director of hitting for Driveline Baseball.

Butera’s full quote on Sean Doolittle:

Some quick thoughts on the three players the Nationals added to the 40-man roster yesterday:

The Nationals are hiring Tyler Smarslok as the team’s field coordinator, sources tell @chelseajanes.bsky.social and me. Smarslok was the Marlins’ 1B coach last season. He was also responsible for coaching Miami’s base running and infield defense.

Monday’s press conference certainly was not the first time Blake Butera had been asked about his age. It certainly will not be the last. No one seemed to be more aware of that than Butera, who didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being himself:

The Nationals are planning to introduce their new manager Blake Butera on Monday at 1:30.

Can confirm @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social’s report that Michael Johns will be the Nationals’ new bench coach. He was the Rays’ first-base coach the past two seasons. He was also TB’s minor league field coordinator during Blake Butera’s 4 years as an A-ball manager.

James Wood was a finalist for an NL Silver Slugger but didn’t win the award. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker are the 2025 NL outfield recipients. Here’s how he stacked up against Carroll/Tucker: