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Kyle Schwarber is excited about his new home and looking forward to getting to work at Spring Training.
“I’m excited to come in here. I know that these guys just want to come in and they want to win. They’re competitors. I love watching [Max] Scherzer go out there every day. I loved facing that guy, because when he was fired up, I’m getting fired up in the box with him. I’m ready to compete with this guy.
Competing against him, Schwarber was 0 for 4 with three walks and two Ks. Now he’ll be out in left playing behind the Nationals’ ace and competing alongside him.
Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Josh Bell on Players Alliance - (MLB.com)
"Josh Bell joins Hot Stove to talk about working with the Players Alliance during their stop in Dallas and being traded to the Nationals."
The 5 best games by a Nationals batter - (MLB.com)
"1. Anthony Rendon: April 30, 2017 vs. Mets - Box score: 6-for-6, 5 runs, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 16 TB."
Does bolstered Nats lineup still need another piece? - (MASN)
"Saturday’s signing of Kyle Schwarber, on the heels of the Christmas Eve trade for Josh Bell, went a long way toward bolstering a Nationals lineup that sorely needed some more big bats."
3 quotes from Kyle Schwarber’s presser on what he brings to Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Just over three weeks after Washington swung a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, GM Mike Rizzo once again followed through on his early offseason promise to prioritize acquiring middle-of-the-order hitters..."
Dave Martinez on Schwarber, Bell - (MLB.com)
"Nationals manager Dave Martinez discusses how recent acquisitions Kyle Schwarber and Josh Bell can impact his club for the 2021 season..."
Nats talked to Reds about 3B Eugenio Suarez but Washington has made top RHP prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli unavailable, making a deal pretty unlikely. Reds aren’t anxious to trade their top position player, though none of their players are off limits. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2021
Betting And Baseball Together: What Could Go Wrong?
Nationals Park will get BetMGM sportsbook in 2021 in partnership deal - (WaPost)
“The Washington Nationals on Monday announced BetMGM as their exclusive sports betting partner and plans to open a sportsbook at Nationals Park this season.”
Washington Nationals and BetMGM announce exclusive multi-year partnership - (MLB.com)
"The Washington Nationals announced today a multi-year, exclusive partnership with BetMGM, a leading sports betting and digital gaming company."
Report: DJ LeMahieu 'dismayed' by Yankees, will re-engage interested teams - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Since the Yankees have yet to meet that price and are taking their time with the two-time batting champion, LeMahieu has asked his representatives to engage with other teams..."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
MLB rumors: Yankees toyed with signing Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber - (nj.com)
"During his introductory Zoom call with the Nationals, Schwarber admitted the New York Yankees had come calling before he decided to go to Washington."
How Lindor and Carrasco Upend the NL East - (FanGraphs)
"As a clear underdog to the Braves but with more of a fighting chance than the Phillies or the Marlins overall, the Nationals take the biggest hit of any NL East team from the trade."
If I’m reading Cot’s Baseball correctly, 88 percent of available free agents remained unsigned. Eighty-eight percent. It’s Jan. 11. Pitchers and catchers are supposed to report in about a month.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) January 11, 2021
Nationals Park Adding BetMGM Sportsbook In Stadium - (Forbes)
"A former retail location in center field of Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will soon become a year-round BetMGM Sportsbook, the group’s first in-stadium sportsbook across the country."
Kyle Schwarber Is the Newest National - (FanGraphs)
"When Schwarber is at his best, he embodies baseball’s move toward whiffs, walks, and home runs."
NL EAST UPDATES:
Where does Francisco Lindor rank among NL East's best players? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"You can't go wrong with any of the top three players on this list. Soto gets the edge because he's done nothing but post insane numbers since debuting in 2018."
Interesting look at which clubs have gotten the best early returns from the 2015-18 Drafts. https://t.co/YEAem4ahxK
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) January 11, 2021
Phils' best hitting performances in a game - (MLB.com)
"What makes the greatest single-game performance by a player in Phillies history?"
These Marlins raked the most in one game - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins have had their share of talented hitters -- from a National League MVP to two batting champions to several NL Silver Slugger Award winners."
MLB Rumors: Braves have “reached out” to DJ LeMahieu - (Talking Chop)
"Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday night that the Braves, among other teams, have reached out to free agent infielder DJ LeMahieu."