Wire Taps: Former Nationals’ pitching coach Paul Menhart talks to WaPost; Nats’ offseason decisions + more...

Davey Martinez told now-former Nationals’ pitching coach Paul Menhart this past weekend that the club would not renew his contract and they were looking for what the manager described as, “an older, more experienced guy, a major league-experience guy.” Menhart, who’d spent 15 years in the organization before joining the big league staff in 2019, and returning in the role in 2020, wondered who had more experience according to what he’s now told Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga:

“But then I learned that’s really not the case. I liked finding out the following day when I spoke to [General Manager Mike Rizzo] that it was up to Davey to pick his own staff, and I completely understand.”

Martinez hadn’t really had an opportunity to pick his own coaching staff, both Svrluga and Menhart noted, and, Menhart added, “I was never Davey’s guy. And that’s not a knock on Davey. I completely get it.”

Martinez got a multi-year extension and wants to put his own stamp on some of parts of the coaching staff. Seems reasonable? Stinks for Menhart. But seems reasonable...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Paul Menhart says Dave Martinez decided to replace him as Nationals pitching coach - (WaPost)
“‘At the time, he told me it was them wanting an older, more experienced guy, a major league-experience guy,’ Menhart said during a phone conversation Tuesday.”

Stay or go: Adam Eaton’s future with the Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Adam Eaton fell just short of qualifying for major-league leaderboards in 2020 because he played 44 games. He was 10 plate appearances behind the qualifiers."

Martinez working on offseason plan to improve defense - (MASN)
"One factor manager Davey Martinez pointed toward that the Nationals must get better at in 2021 is their defense."

Davey Martinez has moved from rookie manager to in control - (NBC Sports Washington)
"He had never been a manager, something the organization swept aside at the start with words but clearly considered with deeds."

Pressure will be on Robles to turn things around in 2021 - (MASN)
"If there was one member of the Nationals lineup who seemed most likely to take a significant leap forward this season, Robles was the consensus choice."

Cade Cavalli, Jackson Rutledge headline Nationals team at Instructional League - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Desperate for more prospect work and formal games against outside opposition, Mike Rizzo hammered on the need for a fall league of some kind when the regular season ended."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Minor League Transactions—Sept. 20-Oct. 6, 2020 - (Baseball America)
"Washington Nationals - Signed: RHP Raynel Moron | C Edward De La Cruz."

Gammons: When postseason randomness strikes, anything can happen – (The Athletic)
"And, of course, there are the San Diego Padres, who were born as an expansion team in 1969, along with the Montreal Expos, who 50 years later won the 2019 World Series as the Washington Nationals."

NL EAST UPDATES:

MLB rumors: N.J. native is ‘excellent’ option to replace Phillies GM Matt Klentak - (nj.com)
"Bad things happen in Philadelphia. Especially to the Phillies, who removed general manager Matt Klentak on Saturday."

Analyzing what was broken for 2020 Mets and fixing it for 2021: Center field - (Yahoo!Sports)
"When it comes to putting the Mets' roster together for 2021, with lots of work ahead for prospective new owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson, there are some things that should be pretty easy calls."

Starling Marte left off Miami Marlins' NLDS roster with broken hand - (ESPN)
"Starling Marte was left off the 28-man roster of the Miami Marlins for their National League Division Series matchup against the Atlanta Braves, which begins Tuesday."

Braves’ Game 2 starter faces Marlins for third time in young career - (AJC.com)
"The Braves' Ian Anderson will start his eighth big-league game Wednesday afternoon, his third against the Miami Marlins."