Over the past 48 hours, the Washington Nationals have been busy — juggling roster cuts, arbitration moves, and announcing a retirement ceremony. Missed out on the Nationals’ recent flurry of moves? Here is everything Washington has announced over the last few days.
Arbitration Moves
Washington entered this morning needing to come to salary agreements with Erick Fedde, Joe Ross, Austin Voth, Tanner Rainey, Victor Robles, Josh Bell, and Juan Soto. The deadline was earlier today at 1 PM, but deals have been trickling in throughout the evening.
It’s common for teams and players to reach agreements after that. The Nationals will continue to talk with Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Victor Robles today, as they announced, but nothing so far has indicated any shifts in philosophy regarding arbitration/file and trial/etc.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) March 22, 2022
Most notably, the Nats were able to avoid arbitration with both Soto ($17.1 mil) and Bell ($10 mil) — their two best hitters. Keeping those two happy needs to be the Nationals’ highest priority. Washington also agreed to terms with Fedde ($2.15 mil), Ross ($2.4 mil), Voth ($875,000), and Rainey (N/A). It has yet to be announced if Washington had avoided arbitration with Robles or not.
Roster Cuts
Earlier today the Nats released their first wave of roster cuts as they start to trim down their roster.
Option to Triple-A: LHP Seth Romero LHP Evan Lee RHP Gabe Klobosits OF Yasel Antuna
Re-assigned to Minor League camp: RHP Jackson Rutledge RHP Jefry Rodriguez LHP Alberto Baldonado INF Jackson Cluff INF Andrew Young C Israel Pineda
Most notably, Washington’s top prospect Cade Cavalli wasn’t sent back to the minors. It is still unlikely the 23-year-old makes the Nationals Opening Day roster, but it is great to see Cavalli soak up as much MLB experience as possible.
Ryan Zimmerman’s Jersey Is Being Retired
During last night’s Spring Training game, Washington announced they will be retiring Ryan Zimmermans number 11. It was just a matter of time before this was made official and now Mr, National will be enshrined in the rafters.
No other player in Washington Nationals history will wear No. 11.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 21, 2022
It belongs to Mr. National, Ryan Zimmerman. pic.twitter.com/7fBdtrsDoZ
Mark Lerner told Dan Kolko that June 17 and 18th will be spent celebrating the team’s first-ever draft pick, with the retirement ceremony on the second day.
New Nationals Jerseys
A few days ago, the Nationals’ Twitter account tweeted out two different colors, DC Bloom and Silver Slate. Immediately, Nats fans started assuming that the team was hinting at a new jersey.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 20, 2022
During last night’s Spring Training game, Mark Lerner followed up his Zimmerman announcement by stating the Nationals would be unveiling a new jersey this season. He wouldn’t go any further than that, but internet sleuths are predicting that the new jersey would incorporate a cherry blossom theme.