As expected, the Washington Nationals (38-57) have had a rough time this season, but general manager Mike Rizzo has seen some positive steps from a core group of young players amid another rebuilding year. And with the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline approaching, Rizzo is eyeing another chance to improve the rebuild and said "we're open for business."
"I never thought it made sense to kind of hide it from the fanbase with what we're trying to do," Rizzo said about the rebuilding plan on Wednesday during his weekly appearance with 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkies, which is presented exclusively by our partners at MainStreet Bank — Cheer Local. Bank Local. Put Our Team in Your Office.
"I think being open and honest with what we're trying to do is better accepted by the fanbase and I think that they've accepted it well the last couple of years. They know what our plan is, we haven't made it a secret," he told the Junkies.
Prior to the Nats' series-opening game at Wrigley Field, Rizzo told the assembled media, "We’re going to do deals that make sense for us. We have a plan in place, we have a blueprint in place for this rebuild. We’re always open-minded and we’ll always be aggressive. That’s not to say we’re going to move everybody. But if we can move the ball forward in the rebuild process, we certainly will be open-minded to it.”
Speaking with the Junkies on Wednesday, "I think the key word there is 'deals that make sense to us.' We're always open for that, no matter what our record is, and this year is no different."
Rizzo said the conversations have already begun between teams, "expressing interest" in players or deals, with just under a fortnight left to get deals done.
"A lot of the first couple of phone calls are 'What are you guys looking to do?' and 'What's your general plan?' and then if there's a match we'll get back to them, we'll get more specific and say to them, 'Hey does Joe Smith fit for you guys as that right-handed pinch hitter you're thinking about?'" he told the Junks. "We're looking for matches from other teams, other teams are looking for matches for us. And when you get a match that works that's really when the negotiating starts about the actual specific trade."
Now, in the ensuing game, in which Washington held a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning and 3-3 in the seventh and lost 17-3, "was one of those you flush the game," the GM said.
"Baptism by fire," Rizzo said of the late-in-game relief work from Amos Willingham and Jose Ferrer, who learned something and will improve from the experience of taking one on the chin in front of a robust crowd.
The Nationals GM also talked about shortstop/third baseman Brady House, the organization's No. 2 prospect at 20 years old, getting promoted to Double-A Harrisburg after playing in just 16 games at High-A Fredericksburg and big league shortstop CJ Abrams' development after the 22-year-old recently won National League Player of the Week when he went 6-for-13 (.462) wit ha double, triple, RBI, two stolen bases and seven runs scored.
Listen to the full segement on the audio player above!
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