After suffering a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, the Washington Nationals made the stunning decision to part ways with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, as well as Manager Davey Martinez. This decision was applauded locally and nationally, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks the Nats’ status quo is acceptable.
What also deserves applause, however, is everything that Rizzo and Martinez accomplished together throughout their tenure in the nation’s capital. Rizzo had served as the Nationals’ general manager since 2009, while Martinez had been at the helm since 2018.
When Rizzo took over as general manager in 2009, he inherited a roster that had just finished with the worst record in baseball. Add in the fact that Rizzo was suddenly thrust into the role in March while his predecessor Jim Bowden was the subject of an FBI investigation, and these were far less than ideal circumstances to begin your first opportunity as GM under.
Despite these unfortunate circumstances, it took Rizzo just two full years as GM to bring the Nats from worst to first, finishing with the best record in baseball and qualifying for the postseason for the first time in team history in 2012. Throughout Rizzo’s time leading the Nats, the team won four division titles and made the postseason five times, culminating with Washington’s first World Series championship since 1924.
Rizzo was often aggressive in free agency, signing key players such as Max Scherzer, Jayson Werth, Patrick Corbin, and Daniel Murphy. Scherzer, in particular, transformed the franchise. Rizzo knew Scherzer well from scouting him as an eventual draft pick for the Arizona Diamondbacks and used their relationship to bring Scherzer to the Nationals. The seven-year, $210 million contract given to Scherzer was criticized but now stands as arguably the greatest free agent signing ever.
While each of these players contributed to great Nats teams, as did so many other key free agent signings, Rizzo will be remembered for his expert trading ability.
The first franchise-altering trade Rizzo made was acquiring Gio Gonzalez from the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2012 season and signing him to a five-year contract extension before he threw a pitch for the Nats. Gonzalez led the majors with 21 wins in his first season in DC, helped lead the Nats to each of their four division titles, and only spent one month on the Injured List during his seven years as National. He accumulated the third-most pitching WAR among any player in Nats history, trailing just Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.
Perhaps Rizzo’s biggest fleece was dealing outfielder Steven Souza Jr., fresh off his no-hitter- saving catch, for Trea Turner and Joe Ross. Turner developed into one of baseball’s best shortstops and leadoff hitters throughout his seven seasons with the Nats, while Ross served as invaluable pitching depth and made a World Series start in DC.
In addition to making what was arguably the best free agent signing ever in Scherzer, Rizzo acquired what may end up being the best trade return ever as well. He made the difficult decision to trade fan favorite and perennial All-Star Juan Soto prior to the 2022 trade deadline. When trading a generational talent, you better receive a generational return. It is impossible to fully judge this trade yet, but receiving James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell III, and Jarlin Susana is an awfully impressive package. Wood, Gore, and Abrams have each been selected as All-Stars since the trade and have developed into players who could be the cornerstones of the next great era of Nationals baseball.
Other notable players Rizzo acquired via trade include Sean Doolittle, Wilson Ramos, Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, and Denard Span.
An under-the-radar trend of Rizzo’s time as GM was prioritizing players who impacted the community and could serve as great role models. The only Nationals player suspended for an issue unrelated to baseball, Starlin Castro, was released immediately following his suspension. With other teams continuing to employ players that have been charged and suspended for incidents such as domestic violence, Rizzo’s commitment to positive role models was refreshing.
Perhaps the most positive member of the Nats’ organization throughout Rizzo’s tenure was longtime manager Davey Martinez. Martinez could almost always be found with a smile on his face, bringing levity to an often stressful profession. Martinez was brought to the Nats to win a World Series and joined the organization at one of the most tense moments in its history. Despite World Series expectations, the Nats had been eliminated in the first round of the postseason two consecutive seasons prior to Martinez being hired.
Through Spring Training gimmicks such as bringing camels to signify “getting over the hump” of the first round of the postseason, the annual cabbage race, and the circle of trust, Martinez began to ease tensions in the organization and create a culture of positivity. The Nats regularly had one of the most loose clubhouses in baseball, evident in the dugout throughout the magical 2019 season that saw Martinez deliver on his World Series expectations. Martinez’s players often credited him with helping them remain positive and productive throughout the grind of a major league season. Throughout Martinez’s entire stint as manager, it was obvious that he cared deeply about each and every one of his players.
Martinez also served as an outstanding member of the DC community, frequently engaging with fans and representing the Nationals organization at various community events. During a terrifying incident outside Nationals Park in 2021 that caused the game to be suspended, Martinez allowed fans to shelter near his office in the bowels of the stadium, despite orders from security for the area to be reserved for the team and their families. In Martinez’s words, “our fans are our family.” Martinez is regarded as one of the best people in baseball, and the impact he made on the DC community throughout his eight seasons here is immeasurable.
Rizzo and Martinez aren’t perfect and made plenty of missteps leading the organization. The facts, though, are that the Nats won the second-most games in baseball from 2012-2019, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers. That was largely a result of Rizzo’s roster construction. In 2019, specifically, Rizzo and Martinez led the Nats to a historic turnaround and a magical season the likes of which baseball may never see again. MLB’s oldest roster came back from a 19-31 start to win the World Series, a feat that brought all 25 players on the World Series roster their first ring.
As Davey Martinez famously said, “Bumpy roads lead to beautiful places.” The Nats have spent the last few years on a bumpy road, but we’ll always remember the beautiful place that Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez helped lead us to.