Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner discusses the latest addition to the Nationals’ 2016 coaching staff. In a surprising move, manager Dusty Baker has elected to bring back Rick Schu as the hitting coach for the Nationals. Schu, along with the rest of the team’s coaching staff, was let go after the 2015 season.
Schu is, to this point, the only member of the 2015 coaching staff who will return next season. According to Wagner, Baker decided to bring Schu back on board “to have some measure of continuity” on a ball club that has already seen several changes this offseason.
With Schu on board, the Nationals coaching staff now consists of pitching coach Mike Maddux, first base coach Davey Lopes, Schu, and Chris Speier, who will be either the third base coach or the bench coach.
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Also in today’s Daily, Wagner discusses some interesting comments made by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who said he would love to see Bryce Harper spend his entire career in the nation’s capital. Harper was the heart and soul of the Nationals in 2015 and could be named the league’s Most Valuable Player next week. The 23-year-old superstar is signed through the 2018 season.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Rick Schu returning as Nationals hitting coach
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
Rick Schu is expected to return as Nationals hitting coach, according to people familiar with the situation, marking, at least for now, the lone holdover from the previous coaching staff. As he mulled over the choice, Manager Dusty Baker had considered Schu a strong candidate to return because he wanted players to have some measure of continuity. He hinted at the hiring during an interview Friday on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio.
The Nationals have not yet announced any coaching hirings beyond Mike Maddux as pitching coach and Davey Lopes as first base/baserunning coach. Read full article here.
Mike Rizzo on Bryce Harper: ‘Would love for him to be a National for life’
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
Bryce Harper’s historic 2015 season, at age 22, has prompted worry by Washington fans. Will he choose to remain a National when he is eligible for free agency after the the 2018 season? Will he be too expensive? Will the team be willing to open the vault to keep their superstar and (presumptive) first MVP winner?
Next: Ian Desmond And Jordan Zimmermann Reject Qualifying Offers
Those feelings are a bit premature but that doesn’t mean the Nationals shouldn’t begin at least considering the possibility of keeping Harper. Because of an arbitration settlement, Harper made $2.5 million in 2015 and is due $5 million in 2016. He will see big raises in arbitration in 2017 and 2018, his final season before free agency. Read full article here.