CJ Abrams and James Wood helping distribute turkeys for the Nats’ annual Turkeypalooza outside Nationals Park.

More on the different career paths taken by Simon Mathews and Sean Doolittle that led the two friends to reunite back in D.C. "He's become a great pitching friend of mine in the industry." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...

On the state of the Nationals’ catching corps: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/a...

More on today’s transactions. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...

What this means: * Luis Garcia Jr., CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Josiah Gray and Cade Cavalli were all tendered contracts. They can either agree to a salary or go to arbitration. (Doesn't prevent Nats from trading any of them) * Riley Adams already agreed to his salary

Nationals have tendered contracts to all 7 of their arbitration-eligible players, including agreeing to a 1-year contract with Riley Adams. So, no non-tenders by the new front office.

It’s non-tender day, which could mean the first significant roster decisions of Paul Toboni’s front office. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...

Simon Mathews went from an out-of-work, Triple-A right-hander trying to make rent during the pandemic to Nationals pitching coach at age 30. Was this part of his grand plan? “No. That’s the short answer.” www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...

Blake Butera on his still-developing coaching staff: "Regardless of age, I think that was most important to me when we were building out a staff: To make sure there are people in here who are going to help our players reach their ultimate potential." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

More on the three prospects the Nationals added to their 40-man roster today and a few they chose to leave unprotected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...

Nationals have added LHP Jake Bennett, RHP Riley Cornelio and OF Christian Franklin to the 40-man roster, protecting them from being lost in the Rule 5 Draft. Among those left unprotected: INF Cayden Wallace, RHP Tyler Stuart (rehabbing from TJ surgery), RHP Marquis Grissom Jr.

Red Sox acquired infielder Tristan Gray from Tampa for Luis Guerrero. They also DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe to open a 40-man spot.

Blake Butera spent the last 2 years as the head of the Rays' player development. He's excited to take that experience and bring it back to the dugout, where he returns to the manager's seat for the first time since 2022. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

New episode of @natschatpodcast.bsky.social * Thoughts on Butera's press conference * Reaction to the coaching staff so far (including Doolittle) * Looking ahead to Friday's non-tender decisions * @benraby31.bsky.social on "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" doc www.natschatpodcast.com/episode-post...

Our reaction to Blake Butera's introductory press conference as the Nats new manager: www.natschatpodcast.com/episode-post...

How Paul Toboni and Blake Butera first came to know of each other, and the process that led to them sitting together today at Nationals Park for the formal introduction of the majors' youngest manager in five decades. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

News on Sean Doolittle remaining on the Nats coaching staff, and why Paul Toboni & Blake Butera felt it was important to bring him back. "It's tough to not like Sean...he's really passionate about doing a great job in this role, which is exciting for us." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...

How Paul Toboni and Blake Butera first came to know of each other, and the process that led to them sitting together today at Nationals Park for the formal introduction of the majors' youngest manager in five decades. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

Sean Doolittle will remain on the Nats coaching staff, per Paul Toboni. His official title is TBA.

Gio Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy are on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Blake Butera's introductory press conference is today at 1:30 p.m. (live on MASN) and the 33-year-old manager will face plenty of questions. Here are some subjects that should come up: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/p...

A look at the state of the Nationals’ payroll entering the offseason. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...

Nationals have announced game times for next season. Weeknights at 6:45, Saturdays at 4:05, Sundays at 1:35, weekday matinees at 12:05/1:05, July 4 at 11:05.

What positions of need might the Nationals prioritize this winter? www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...

I was an NL Cy Young Award voter. Like everyone else, I obviously had Paul Skenes as the winner. Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...

The Nationals have announced a press conference to introduce new manager Blake Butera on Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. It will air in its entirety on MASN.

On Simon Mathews and his path from Georgetown to the Angels’ farm system to two pitching labs to the Reds to Nationals pitching coach at 30: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...

HUGE FIRST BSKY POST

Nationals have hired Simon Mathews as pitching coach. * 30 years old * Pitched for (and graduated from) Georgetown * Director of pitching at Push Performance in Tempe, Ariz., online trainer at Driveline Baseball * Worked for Reds since 2021, including asst. pitching coach in 2025

The Braves have hired Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach.

More on the Nationals’ new bench coach, who worked with Blake Butera for the Rays and oversaw one of the majors’ best baserunning teams this season. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

Daylen Lile finished 5th for NL Rookie of the Year. He's the first Nationals player to receive ROY votes since Victor Robles in 2019, the first Nationals player to receive votes for any BBWAA award since Juan Soto (MVP runner-up) in 2021.

Nationals have announced the hiring of Michael Johns as bench coach. Quote from manager Blake Butera, who overlapped with him in the Rays organization the last 9 seasons:

Michael Johns oversaw Rays' baserunning as 1st base coach the past 2 seasons. TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).

Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.

James Wood did not win a Silver Slugger Award after being a finalist for the first time. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker took home the NL honors in the outfield.

More on today's transactions and who's left on the Nationals' ever-shrinking 40-man roster: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...

But wait, there's more ... * Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.

Nationals transactions: * Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester * Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners * Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.

Your current managers of the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres ...

One of the most intriguing questions with a brand-new Nationals organization: How much day-to-day influence will the front office have on the manager's office? www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...

Highlights of Nats' 2026 spring training schedule: * 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL * 2/23 home vs PHI * 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI * 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela * 3/7 home vs NYY * 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL * 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore * 3/23 vs O's in D.C.

Not many people make the jump from a front office role in player development to first-time major league manager. But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...

Paul Toboni had never formally met Blake Butera before, but the Nats' new president of baseball operations already knew all about the 33-year-old before hiring him as his first manager, then was blown away during their interview. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...

Clarifying this: DeBartolo will be senior VP and assistant GM, overseeing baseball operations.

Paul Toboni said he and Blake Butera will work together to hire a coaching staff. Said while prior MLB experience is a bonus, it's not required. Wasn't ready to comment on any previous Nats coaches being under consideration to return.

Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).

On a video conference with reporters, Paul Toboni says he was well aware of Blake Butera prior to this process, actually scouted him in college, had a lot of mutual connections. "I feel very good about betting on Blake, because of the person he is."

Daylen Lile didn’t finish in the top three for NL Rookie of the Year.

The World Series is over. The offseason has begun. And the Nationals, with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera now in charge, have a lot of work to do. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...