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While it was just a 60-game season, 2020 ended up being a grind for everyone involved, as they dealt with COVID protocols and played in empty parks while essentially quarantined at home and on the road, but in the end, in spite of the last-place finish in the NL East, Davey Martinez said there were positives to take away from it the Washington Nationals’ season.
“Yeah, most definitely,” he said over the final weekend of the season. “Especially this year with only playing 60 games and things being so scattered.
“And then with all the injuries we had, I just want to make sure that I understand that, hey, there were some positives that came out of this, there was some growth that came out of this, in players, and I want to take that and run with and get ready for 2021.”
Go read your links while you get ready for 2021 as well...
NATS BEAT:
Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate again in limbo - (NBC Sports Washington)
"A Fresno spokesperson said the Grizzlies are awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball to 'better understand the affiliation process.'"
Hey is DC a fun city? If meetings don’t last all day, what should I check out? Any suggestions @Nationals?
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) October 8, 2020
Noll on late-season time with the Nats: "It's a great opportunity" - (MASN)
"For Noll, it was a big deal to excel at the end of this season with the Nats, even if it was just in a handful of games with the team mired in fourth place in the National League East."
Nats must decide if Kieboom deserves another shot in 2021 - (MASN)
"Kieboom did get a chance to play some, but his struggles at the plate led to plenty more chances for Cabrera to start over him."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
The greatest home runs in Harrisburg Senators modern history: Nos. 10 to 6 - (Mayflies & Big Flies)
"Welcome to the seventh in a series of posts ranking the greatest home runs in Harrisburg Senators modern history (otherwise known as when baseball returned to City Island in 1987)."
"He has been down here throwing and looks great," @HbgSenators pitching Sam Narron told @federalbaseball today from Instructional League in Florida of lefty Seth Romero. "His stuff is out of this world." Romero made three outings for #Nats before injuring his non-throwing hand.
— David Driver (@DaytonVaDriver) October 9, 2020
NL EAST UPDATES:
Home runs continue to carry Braves’ offense - (AJC.com)
"The Braves, who hit the second-most home runs in the major leagues during the regular season, have continued to show power in the playoffs."
Quick Hits: Phillies' GM Search - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Yankees have a couple of 'assistant GM-types' that the Phillies might look into if they decide not to stick with interim GM Ned Rice for the 2021 season, Jon Heyman posits on his new podcast with Tony Gwynn Jr."
The case for and against NY Mets keeping Brodie Van Wagenen - (NorthJersey.com)
"During a Zoom session near the end of the regular season, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen revealed two important details..."
MLB playoff notebook: Marlins' Sanchez no stranger to Braves - (Yahoo!Sports)
"Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez has not been around long, but by the end of the day Thursday, he will have a rich history against the Atlanta Braves."