Wire Taps: Washington Nationals part ways with Paul Menhart; Luis García in 2020 + more Nats links...

Paul Menhart spent 15 years in the Nationals’ organization, rising to the level of major league pitching coach in Washington in May of 2019, and helping the club during the World Series run that season, but after a disappointing 2020 campaign, the 51-year-old was told that his contract was not being renewed for 2021.

Davey Martinez delivered the news when the Nats’ skipper called Menhart on Saturday.

Is Menhart the one change or the first of others to come? And why exactly did the Nationals make this move?

NATS BEAT:

Menhart let go:

Nationals cut ties with pitching coach Paul Menhart - (MASN)
"Menhart said he had attempted to reach Mike Rizzo, but has not yet been able to speak with the general manager."

Ghiroli: Why the Nationals parted ways with pitching coach Paul Menhart – (The Athletic)
"Menhart was shocked when he got the phone call from Nationals manager Davey Martinez on Saturday night, as were the media, fans and some people within the club. And yet a faction of the organization wasn’t surprised at all."

More on Menhart's exit and his possible successor with the Nats - (MASN)
"Moving forward, it would make sense that current minor league pitching coordinator Brad Holman would be the favorite to take over the reins as the Nats pitching coach."

Nationals part ways with pitching coach Paul Menhart - (WaPost)
“The Nationals initially promoted Menhart because they wanted a new voice, one offering a different message than Lilliquist’s. Now they’ll seek that again.”

Reports: Nationals will not bring back pitching coach Paul Menhart for 2021 - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have moved on from pitching coach Paul Menhart and won’t renegotiate a new contract after his previous one expired at the end of the 2020 season..."

Nats, pitching coach Menhart part (source) - (MLB.com)
"The contract of pitching coach Paul Menhart will not be not renewed for next year, a source told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the news, which was first reported by MASN.com."

Paul Menhart not returning is just the start of Nationals' change-filled offseason - (NBC Sports Washington
"Now, after 15 years in the organization, and a year-plus as the major-league pitching coach, he’s out."

Other Nats Stories:

Luis Garcia: Nationals 2020 Rookie Of The Year - (Baseball America)
"As the youngest player in the majors at age 20, second baseman Luis Garcia played well enough to earn nearly everyday at-bats for the final six weeks of the season."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Washington Nationals won’t bring back pitching coach Menhart of Richmond Hill, year after title - (Savannah Morning News)
"Richmond Hill resident Paul Menhart confirmed Sunday afternoon that he would not be returning to the Washington Nationals as their pitching coach next season."

Phillies owner expects All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to become a free agent - (Yahoo!Sports)
“With Kurt Suzuki’s deal expiring, the Nats will have unproven depth at the position for next season to worry about.”

NL EAST UPDATES:

Francisco Lindor trade landing spots: Nine teams who potentially make sense for Cleveland's star shortstop - (CBSSports.com)
"New owner Steve Cohen might wish to announce his presence by giving his general manager a blank check to make a splash."

Phillies owner reveals he wasn't on board with trading Sixto Sanchez for J.T. Realmuto without extension - (CBSSports.com)
"The combination of those two facts had reached a tipping point in recent weeks, as the Miami Marlins were led to the playoffs by rookie right-hander Sixto Sanchez, a key part of the Realmuto return in a 2019 trade to Philadelphia."

Braves prepare for NLDS against familiar Marlins - (AJC.com)
"How in the world did this happen so suddenly? Start with the Marlins' pitching."

New Philadelphia Phillies GM Ned Rice closely tied to old GM Matt Klentak - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"The Phillies removed their general manager, but the change atop the front office should not be expected to be drastic as they simply replaced Matt Klentak with his trusted confidant."