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Blue Wire

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi

A Washington Nationals podcast offering recap and analysis after every game, plus all the breaking news throughout the year. Hosted by Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com & Al Galdi, host of "The Al Galdi Podcast". For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Shovers at natschatpodcast@gmail.com.

Nats Chat

The MLB Winter Meetings just wrapped up in Texas and the Nationals have not yet made an offseason splash. Mark & Al begin with the pleasant surprise that Washington won the lottery and will have the top pick in next summer's Draft.

(05:30) Mike Rizzo said on TV that it is time "hit the gas" despite the team not signing anyone thus far. Is it too early to panic and think it will be another quiet winter?

(09:00) Juan Soto signed a massive contract with the Mets, but it seems like the Nationals were nowhere in the hunt. The Winter Meetings began on Sunday night with the shock that Soto and the Mets reportedly agreed to a 15 year/ $765 Million contract.

(26:10) Given how Soto's value ballooned on the Free Agent market, should the Nats consider signing James Wood to a long term extension now?

(31:45) Max Fried and the Yankees agreed to an 8 year deal this week and other pitcher's deals have exceeded initial expectations of what the market was expected to be. How does this affect Rizzo's approach?

(37:20) Kyle Finnegan will not return to the team in 2025 and it was a very curious move. Why did they not tender Finnegan considering they didn't trade him before the summer's deadline?

(44:00) Washington acquired Evan Reifert in the Rule 5 Draft. Reifert is a RHP that comes from the Tampa Bay organization and now will likely be on the team's Opening Day roster.

 

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Nats Win the #1 Overall Pick During A Quiet Winter

Al & Mark convene during the early January snow storm to discuss the roster moves that were made in late December. The Nationals recently acquired 1B Nathaniel Lowe from Texas in exchange for Robert Garcia and also signed Josh Bell. Will there be more moves to address offense for the 2025 season? Bell was previously with Washington and was part of the Juan Soto trade to San Diego in 2022.

(14:50) The Nats inked a pair of pitchers in Trevor Williams & Mike Soroka. Williams returns for his 3rd season with the team and Soroka is a veteran who has battled many injuries over his career. What does it mean for DJ Herz's spot in the starting rotation?

(22:00) Where does Cade Cavalli fit into this season's plans?

(23:30) An update on the bullpen as there are still roster spots to be filled.

(31:00) Corbin Burnes recently signed a $210M six-year deal with Arizona and many expected the total to be higher. Burnes pitched last season in Baltimore and was considered the top available free agent starting pitcher. What does it say about the starting pitching market compared to previous years?

 

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Josh Bell's Return Among the Recent Moves

The Nationals opened up camp this week in Florida as Davey Martinez begins his 8th season at the helm. Mark (Live from West Palm) & Al open with how 2025 might have elevated pressure for Martinez compared to recent seasons.

(05:40) CJ Abrams reported early to camp after his 2024 ended on a very sour note. Abrams was demoted to AAA the final week of the season after being out late at a Chicago casino just a few hours before an afternoon game. Abrams made the All-Star Game last summer and led the team in WAR (3.4).

(13:15) Travis Sykora is out until May due to recent hip surgery. He is the organization's top ranked pitcher and last season pitched in Low-A Fredericksburg.

(16:00) An update on Cade Cavalli who only made three minor league appearances last season as he aims to return from "Tommy John" surgery. Cavalli last pitched in Washington in August 2022.

(18:30) GM Mike Rizzo spoke with reporters and addressed the limited spending this past off-season. We run through all the transactions made the past few months and what they will mean for this season. Will the team add a bullpen arm or two this Spring Training?

(34:40) More than five guys have been slated as "Starters" and the hosts sort through the current hierarchy within the rotation.

 

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Pitchers, Catchers, and CJ Abrams Report to Camp

Grapefruit League play has yet to start, but the Nats have been down in West Palm Beach for over a week. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al begin with the recent signing of veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who might end up being the team's Opening Day 3B. DeJong hit 24 homers last season while playing for both the White Sox & Royals.

(14:00) Washington added right-handed relief pitcher Lucas Sims, who is coming off a down season. Sims did however have a solid 2023 season for the Reds that saw his ERA finish at 3.10. Will he part of the "A Bullpen"?

(19:40) Kyle Finnegan surprisingly remains a Free Agent after being non-tended from the Nationals at the end of last season. If he stays unsigned this Spring, might he return to old his team?

****(23:20) Reaction to Mark Lerner's comments to the Washington Post, that includes explanation on the team's recent spending approach and the family's long-term plans with the franchise.

(42:00) Speculating on who might be the Opening Day Starting Pitcher. MacKenzie Gore or Jake Irvin?

 

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Veteran 3B Option Added + Talking $$$

(23:45) Robert Hassell III homered this week and has stood out so far in Grapefruit League play. Hassell was one of the highly touted prospects that was part of the Juan Soto trade, but has dealt with injuries and has yet to make it the Majors. Where does he fit into the crowded outfield?

(33:30) Mark's shares his observations from the team first four Spring Training games that included Jake Irvin tossing a scoreless inning in his first outing of 2025. This also includes a handicap of who will earn the 5th Starter's role for the beginning of the season.

(40:00) The Nats & Orioles announced they will conclude Spring Training against each other at Nationals Park on Monday March 24th at 1PM. This seems like a sign we are headed to an "Era of Good Feelings" between the two teams.

Kyle Finnegan Back + Robert Hassell III Discussion

Nats fans, we are excited to bring you "Nats Chat" podcast, a year-round podcast that will have episodes after every single game! Hosted by Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi.

Mark of MASNsports.com, has been covering the team since it all began in 2005. Al has been talking baseball on the DMV airwaves for over 20 years, back when the Expos were still in Montreal.

Enjoy this quick trailer, explaining what we are all about.

 

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Welcome to Nats Chat!

We promised you in-depth discussion on the fifth starter on this podcast and that's exactly what we give you after Erick Fedde took the mound against the Cardinals in Jupiter, FL. Who has the inside track between him, Joe Ross, and Austin Voth?

(11:07) Mark & Al react to the first lineup card of the season. Is it an indication of where Juan Soto might be slotted this year? What do they think of Victor Robles maybe hitting leadoff?

(19:17) The guys give an update on Max Scherzer's ankle, when to expect to see him this Spring, and what to expect of Stephen Strasburg after he barely pitched in 2020.

Finally (33:41), Mark takes a trip down Spring Training memory lane when the Nats trained in Viera during the Jim Bowden era. A Jose Vidro reference awaits.

 

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Grapefruit League Opener Starts with... a Tie

Mark & Al talk about the news from Florida of Jon Lester leaving camp for thyroid surgery, plus take a look at where the 3B position stands this Spring. Tune in to find out what Carter Kieboom now has in common with Cristian Guzman.

(20:41) In news out of DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser denied the request to have fans at Nationals Park. Mark explains all the angles as the decision is expected to be reconsidered again later this month. When will fans finally be able to celebrate the World Series title inside the stadium?

(28:06) Last but not least, Ryan Zimmerman, aka Mr. National, joins to talk about his longevity with the organization, the early years that were filled with losing, his life at home during the 2020 season, and his take on analytics that is not exactly Galdi certified.

 

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Ryan Zimmerman Interview + Lester Latest

The Nats off day on Sunday got busy following news that reliever Jeremy Jeffress was released for unspecified "personnel reasons". Al & Mark discuss how it affects the current bullpen situation and give an update on Tanner Rainey.

(13:48) The guys also evaluate how the present and future front-lines of the rotation are looking so far this Spring. Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Cade Cavalli, and Jackson Rutledge have all finally taken the mound.

(29:34) Last season, the Nats defense was the worst in the MLB. With Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber now on the roster, what should we expect from Washington in the field in 2021?

(36:46) Finally, Mark has another story from the Jim Bowden Era in Viera. This one, from their first ever Spring Training game in 2005, and it's can't miss.

 

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Surprising Release of Jeremy Jeffress

Starting off with a lot of rotation updates. Stephen Strasburg made his 2021 debut after barely pitching in 2020, Max Scherzer dominates the Cardinals, the 5th starter situation starts to crystallize, and a clarification on Jon Lester's surgery.

(18:15) Mark & Al discuss the likelihood of stars Juan Soto and Trea Turner signing long-term extensions before becoming free agents. How will the Fernando Tatis Jr. deal affect their decisions?

(28:20) DC Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke this week about the possibility of fans at Nationals Park. Could it happen by Opening Day? The guys compare the Nats situation to that of the Orioles after MD Governor Larry Hogan's recent announcement.

(33:06) Finally, Mark thinks back to exactly a year ago when 2020 Spring Training came to a halt due to the pandemic.

 

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Kyle Finnegan Back + Robert Hassell III Discussion

Lyssna när som helst, var som helst

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