Washington Nationals News: GM Mike Rizzo likes Nats after trade deadline
By Pablo Roa
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Before tonight’s game against the Mets, check out some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses how general manager Mike Rizzo likes the team he has assembled after this week’s non-waiver trade deadline. Although the Nationals didn’t make many moves, Rizzo is satisfied with the key acquisition of Jonathan Papelbon and the fact that several important players have come off the disabled list to lead the team down the stretch.
While it’s well known that the Nationals have had several weaknesses this season, it wasn’t necessarily clear what moves—if any—the club needed to make at the deadline since most of the team’s problems stemmed from a great deal of injuries. With most of the team’s injured hitters set to come off the disabled list before the deadline, the Nationals didn’t really need to add a big bat. So, the team addressed it’s only other pressing need—the bullpen.
Of course, the acquisition of Papelbon is complicated for a few reasons. Although he’s one of the best closers in the game, many have questioned his attitude and the impact he could have on the clubhouse. Furthermore, Papelbon unseated Drew Storen as the closer for the Nationals—a fact that sent shockwaves through the fanbase and undoubtedly angered the fan-favorite Storen.
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But, despite the drama that comes with the trade for Papelbon, it’s abundantly clear that the trade made the Nationals instantly better. With a dominant Storen-Papelbon tandem in the back end of the ‘pen and the return of Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon from the disabled list, it’s easy to see why Rizzo is happy with the team he has heading into the all important stretch-run.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner discusses former National Tyler Clippard‘s views on being a Met, facing the Nationals, and his former teammate and roommate Storen.
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.
Rizzo likes his club post Trade Deadline
NEW YORK — A few weeks ago, the Nationals were in first place and general manager Mike Rizzo said the team wasn’t perfect. It didn’t help that the bullpen was inconsistent and several of the club’s major players were on the disabled list.
A couple of hours after the non-waiver Trade Deadline passed on Friday, Rizzo said he is happy with the team that he has assembled after acquiring closer Jonathan Papelbon on Tuesday in a trade to strengthen the bullpen, combined with Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman all coming off the DL.
“We like the ballclub that we have. We felt that we improved it at the Trade Deadline,” Rizzo said. “We like where we are and look forward to playing good, consistent baseball the rest of the way. Read full article here.
Tyler Clippard on being a Met, facing the Nationals and Drew Storen
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
Seeing former longtime Nationals reliever and fan favorite Tyler Clippard in Oakland’s yellow and green earlier this season was a difficult adjustment. And now, to see Clippard back in the National League East but in Mets pinstripes is even more jarring.
“A little weird,” Clippard said Friday, before the first of key three-game series against the Nationals.
But that’s how the small world of baseball works, former teammates ending up on the mound for a division rival in the heat of a pennant race. Clippard was there Friday night, winning an epic 13-pitch eighth-inning battle against Jayson Werth thanks to a low called strike three, then getting bailed out by his new teammates after getting in a jam in the ninth. Read full article here.