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Why The Washington Nationals Should Pick Up Mike Rizzo’s Option

By Ricky Keeler

Nov 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo speaks at a press conference introduceing Dusty Baker (not pictured) as the new Nationals manager at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo speaks at a press conference introduceing Dusty Baker (not pictured) as the new Nationals manager at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the news that Mike Rizzo has a two-year contract option coming up in June, the Nats ownership should extend his contract through 2018

As of right now, Stephen Strasburg is the most prominent free agent on the Washington Nationals heading into next season. However, could the Nats be also looking for a new general manager next winter? Yesterday, Barry Svurluga of the Washington Post reported that president of baseball operations and GM Mike Rizzo has a June 15 deadline that the team has to pick up a two-year option by:

"“According to major league sources, Rizzo’s contract has a June 15 deadline to pick up a two-year option that would keep him in Washington through the 2018 season. So if this seems like an important season for the Nationals – what with the disappointment of last year still fresh – it is, from the top on down.” (h/t Svurluga)"

Since Rizzo arrived in Wasington in 2009 after replacing Jim Bowden, the Nats have had success when you look at five straight seasons of 80+ wins. Before Rizzo got to DC, the Nats only had one season of 80+ wins and that was back in their inaugural season in 2005 (81-81).

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Rizzo has done a great job in setting up the foundation of the Nats’ current success. He drafted Strasburg and Bryce Harper in back-to-back years with the top pick and has built an organization that is ranked in the top five in Baseball America’s current organizational rankings.

In addition to the draft, Rizzo has made good trades in the past, whether it was acquiring Gio Gonzalez, Wilson Ramos, Yunel Escobar, or Denard Span among many others. Plus, he made what appears to be a great deal last offseason when he acquired Trea Turner and Joe Ross from San Diego in the Wil Myers–Steven Souza deal.

However, the one problem for Rizzo might be the new expectations in DC. Even though the Nats are not the World Series favorites that they were last year, there still are expectations for this team to at least make the postseason in 2016, even if it is as a Wild Card after last year’s disappointing season.

The one thing I wouldn’t want to see is for Rizzo to be the lame duck general manager and just finish the rest of the season. This is where the Lerner family needs to at least pick up the option on Rizzo’s deal or even extend the contract before Opening Day on April 4.

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However, there are a couple things to keep in mind here. Remember, back in January, the Nats did add former Marlins’ general manager Dan Jennings to their front office as a scout and a special assistant to Rizzo. Yesterday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Marlins filed a grievance about Jennings only making $115,000, and as Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post wrote this morning, the Nationals did win that grievance.

The other factor that I would consider is Harper’s future contract. It has been discussed much throughout this offseason that Harper is a free agent after 2018, which is when Rizzo’s contract would be up if ownership picks up that option. Does the Lerner family believe that Rizzo is the man that can get Harper to stay in DC for the prime years of his career?

There already is some pressure on the Washington Nationals to win in 2016. However, if the Nats get off to another bad start like they did last April, there will be some questions surrounding Rizzo if his contract situation is not cleared up.

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While the Nats have underachieved under Rizzo in terms of not winning a postseason series, they have at least changed how they are viewed by baseball as a team that can contend on a yearly basis. The question that the Lerner family has to ask themselves is whether or not Rizzo is the man that can help build a team that takes them to the next level. For me, I would extend Rizzo and give him that opportunity.

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