Dave Martinez is excited to get things started in his first managerial gig as the skipper for the defending NL East champion Washington Nationals. He’s going to have to wait until the start of Spring Training to really get going, but he’s spending his time now to familiarize himself with his players, and think about what he’s got to work with once things get underway.
“I wake up a lot of mornings and just jot names down on the lineup,” Martinez told the reporters who gathered around him at WinterFest on Saturday, “and I’m excited to get these guys in there.
“I mean, up and down the lineup we’ve got versatility, we’ve got speed, we’ve got power, we’ve got guys that can put the ball in the play, so I’m really excited to go out there, just make the lineup up and put them out there and watch them play.”
So... what is it exactly he’s jotting down when he wakes up?
“Merry Christmas!” Martinez joked. “Some things I need to keep a secret, but we’re very versatile. We’ll be creative.”
NATS BEAT:
Nats 2B Murphy using crutches 8 weeks after knee surgery
"Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy ambled around the team’s annual fan festival with the aid of a pair of crutches and declined to offer any sort of estimate about the length of his recovery from right knee surgery."
Daniel Murphy could be ready for Opening Day
"Murphy is eight weeks out from dual procedures on his right knee. One was a cartilage debridement in order to fix what he called a “crack” in the cartilage. The other was microfracture..."
One year ago today I married my best friend! Your smile, laugh, freckles, and appetite has stolen my heart each and every day. Thank you for always pushing me and being there for me in all aspects of life. I can’t wait to keep learning about you for all eternity! I love you! #1 pic.twitter.com/Ysa5PwskbY
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) December 16, 2017
Nationals’ Daniel Murphy isn’t talking timetables for return from knee surgery
"Eight weeks after undergoing microfracture and debridement surgery Oct. 20, Murphy declined to talk timetables because failing to meet the expectations, he said, would cause unnecessary alarm."
Nats 2B Murphy using crutches 8 weeks after knee surgery
"Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy ambled around the team’s annual fan festival with the aid of a pair of crutches and declined to offer any sort of estimate about the length of his recovery from right knee surgery."
Daniel Murphy could be ready for Opening Day
"Murphy is eight weeks out from dual procedures on his right knee. One was a cartilage debridement in order to fix what he called a “crack” in the cartilage. The other was microfracture..."
Nationals’ Daniel Murphy isn’t talking timetables for return from knee surgery
"Eight weeks after undergoing microfracture and debridement surgery Oct. 20, Murphy declined to talk timetables because failing to meet the expectations, he said, would cause unnecessary alarm."
Media: SEAN! Sean! What are your thoughts coming into next season?!
— Eireann Dolan (@EireannDolan) December 16, 2017
Sean: I’m thinking about how many button down shirts I can wear at one time
Media: Do you use that smartwatch to communicate with the bench?
Sean: This is a 1991 Casio Calculator watch pic.twitter.com/l9wDU03TBV
After "worst year of my life," Eaton itching to return from injury
"The Nationals have big plans for Eaton in 2018 after watching him hit .297 with a .393 on-base percentage in 23 games before he got hurt."
Nats Max Scherzer diligent during offseason
"Max Scherzer just won his third Cy Young Award last month -- and his second in the National League with the Nats -- so what has his offseason been like?"
Nationals' Max Scherzer: 'I'm truly 100 percent'
"Initially, as Scherzer paced around the clubhouse hunting for some explanation for what happened in Game 5, baseball was not a happy thought."
Glover has begun throwing, vows to be ready for spring camp
"Like many Nationals fans, right-hander Koda Glover keeps replaying the fateful fifth inning in Game 5 of the National League Division Series in his mind."
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) December 16, 2017
NL EAST UPDATES:
Dodgers Trade Debt to Braves in Exchange for Debt
"In other words, this is a baseball trade, sure, but it’s not the kind of baseball trade you dream up as a teenager."
The #Braves & Dodgers completed a five-player trade today in which the Braves have acquired pitchers Brandon McCarthy & Scott Kazmir, INF Charlie Culberson, 1B Adrian Gonzalez & cash considerations in exchange for OF Matt Kemp. Details: pic.twitter.com/41uyrIFQ5X
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 16, 2017
Marlins add Ortega, Adames, Wimmers to NRIs
"The stockpiling of roster depth continues for the Marlins, who have signed three more players with big league experience to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training."
A $92 million week gives Phillies credibility for later | Gelb
"They paid an $18 million premium for an unheralded setup man when the free-agent market was filled with decent relievers who signed for less or similar amounts? That is something a contender does..."
Mets analysis: Wilpons need to be more transparent about payroll, offseason moves
"Mets fans ought to know where their money is going, since it’s clear that much of it isn’t ending up on the field."