Bobby Blanco
@bobbyblanco.bsky.social
Nats insider for MASN. Managing Editor MASNsports.com. D.C. sports & nerd stuff. University of Maryland & Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) grad.
Pinned
Bobby Blanco
@bobbyblanco.bsky.social
· Nov 25
Hey, friends! Gonna give this place a go. I'll still be on the other one, but I'll also link stuff here.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Most significant story No. 4 - also written by @bobbyblanco.bsky.social: James Wood's breakout season.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
Most significant stories of 2025: Wood's breakout year
We've reached the final week of the year, so it's time to look back at the Nationals' most significant stories of 2025. We continue the series today with a breakout season by a former top prospect tha...
www.masnsports.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Most significant story No. 4 - also written by @bobbyblanco.bsky.social: James Wood's breakout season.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
We've been counting down the final days of 2025 with the most significant stories of a chaotic year for the Nationals. No. 5 - written by @bobbyblanco.bsky.social - was a busy trade deadline orchestrated by then-interim GM Mike DeBartolo.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
Most significant stories of 2025: DeBartolo takes charge of trade deadline
We've reached the final week of the year, so it's time to look back at the Nationals' most significant stories of 2025. We begin the series today by looking back at an active trade deadline for the Na...
www.masnsports.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
We've been counting down the final days of 2025 with the most significant stories of a chaotic year for the Nationals. No. 5 - written by @bobbyblanco.bsky.social - was a busy trade deadline orchestrated by then-interim GM Mike DeBartolo.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
Quick story on Georgetown Prep product Matt Mervis agreeing to a minor league deal with the Nats that includes an invite to spring training.
Merry Christmas Eve! www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Merry Christmas Eve! www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats sign local product Mervis to minor league deal
Santa Claus isn’t the only one who is busy on this Christmas Eve. The Nationals made a move to add depth to the roster after checking their offseason wish list twice.The Nats have signed first baseman...
www.masnsports.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Quick story on Georgetown Prep product Matt Mervis agreeing to a minor league deal with the Nats that includes an invite to spring training.
Merry Christmas Eve! www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Merry Christmas Eve! www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Can also confirm this per source.
The Nats have signed first baseman Matt Mervis to a minor league deal, per @jonheyman.bsky.social and @andrewgolden.bsky.social. The D.C. native and Georgetown Prep grad spent most of last year with the Marlins and also joined the D-backs on a minor league deal in August.
December 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Can also confirm this per source.
The Nats have signed first baseman Matt Mervis to a minor league deal, per @jonheyman.bsky.social and @andrewgolden.bsky.social. The D.C. native and Georgetown Prep grad spent most of last year with the Marlins and also joined the D-backs on a minor league deal in August.
December 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The Nats have signed first baseman Matt Mervis to a minor league deal, per @jonheyman.bsky.social and @andrewgolden.bsky.social. The D.C. native and Georgetown Prep grad spent most of last year with the Marlins and also joined the D-backs on a minor league deal in August.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
our 2026 coaching staff is official
December 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
our 2026 coaching staff is official
Foster Griffin just met with reporters on Zoom. He said he's excited to return to the major leagues and have a chance to be a starter again with the Nats. So we know he'll be in competition for the rotation this spring.
December 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Foster Griffin just met with reporters on Zoom. He said he's excited to return to the major leagues and have a chance to be a starter again with the Nats. So we know he'll be in competition for the rotation this spring.
Nats announce they have signed infielder Warming Bernabel to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Bernabel is 23 years old and played 40 games with the Rockies last season.
Bernabel is 23 years old and played 40 games with the Rockies last season.
December 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Nats announce they have signed infielder Warming Bernabel to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Bernabel is 23 years old and played 40 games with the Rockies last season.
Bernabel is 23 years old and played 40 games with the Rockies last season.
Holy Gonzaga Eagles Terps
December 21, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Holy Gonzaga Eagles Terps
#Caps, #Commanders, #Terps and #Wizards all played today.
If you picked the Wizards as the only winners, you’re lying.
If you picked the Wizards as the only winners, you’re lying.
December 21, 2025 at 3:35 AM
#Caps, #Commanders, #Terps and #Wizards all played today.
If you picked the Wizards as the only winners, you’re lying.
If you picked the Wizards as the only winners, you’re lying.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Paul Toboni was willing to go without a GM for now. Then he decided two weeks ago to pursue the Phillies’ Ani Kilambi.
“I was very comfortable keeping this vacant if we didn’t come onto the right fit. Ani just happens to be an exceptional fit for us.”
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
“I was very comfortable keeping this vacant if we didn’t come onto the right fit. Ani just happens to be an exceptional fit for us.”
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Well-regarded Kilambi "an exceptional fit for us" as Toboni's GM
Because Paul Toboni had previously suggested he might wait a while to hire a general manager, Anirudh Kilambi had little reason to expect a phone call from the Nationals’ new president of baseball ope...
www.masnsports.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Paul Toboni was willing to go without a GM for now. Then he decided two weeks ago to pursue the Phillies’ Ani Kilambi.
“I was very comfortable keeping this vacant if we didn’t come onto the right fit. Ani just happens to be an exceptional fit for us.”
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
“I was very comfortable keeping this vacant if we didn’t come onto the right fit. Ani just happens to be an exceptional fit for us.”
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Paul Toboni and Ani Kilambi just had a Zoom session with reporters. They didn't meet at Cal, but got to know each other through their baseball experiences.
Said Toboni: "If Ani went to Stanford, I would hate that, but he would probably still be in this seat."
Said Toboni: "If Ani went to Stanford, I would hate that, but he would probably still be in this seat."
December 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Paul Toboni and Ani Kilambi just had a Zoom session with reporters. They didn't meet at Cal, but got to know each other through their baseball experiences.
Said Toboni: "If Ani went to Stanford, I would hate that, but he would probably still be in this seat."
Said Toboni: "If Ani went to Stanford, I would hate that, but he would probably still be in this seat."
Already reported but former Nats interim manager Miguel Cairo officially joins the Orioles coaching staff as the infield coach.
December 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Already reported but former Nats interim manager Miguel Cairo officially joins the Orioles coaching staff as the infield coach.
Nats officially announce the hiring of Anirudh Kilambi as general manager. Statements from POBO Paul Toboni and Kilambi:
December 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Nats officially announce the hiring of Anirudh Kilambi as general manager. Statements from POBO Paul Toboni and Kilambi:
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Paul Toboni has hired a GM after all: Anirudh Kilambi, a 31-year-old Berkeley grad who gained a reputation around baseball over the last decade as a data guru with the Rays and Phillies. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
Source: Toboni hiring data-expert Kilambi as Nats GM
The Nationals are hiring Anirudh Kilambi as general manager, giving president of baseball operations Paul Toboni a second-in-command executive with a strong analytics reputation within the sport after...
www.masnsports.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Paul Toboni has hired a GM after all: Anirudh Kilambi, a 31-year-old Berkeley grad who gained a reputation around baseball over the last decade as a data guru with the Rays and Phillies. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
This line from Todd Zolecki's article when the Phillies hired Ani Kilambi stands out: "Former bosses in Tampa Bay routinely cited Kilambi’s contributions in unearthing under-the-radar pitching talent that produced at the big league level." www.mlb.com/news/phillie...
Phillies hire Kilambi as an assistant GM
PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies continue to reshape their baseball operations department as they try to catch up to the best teams in the National League.
The Phillies announced Thursday that they named ...
www.mlb.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
This line from Todd Zolecki's article when the Phillies hired Ani Kilambi stands out: "Former bosses in Tampa Bay routinely cited Kilambi’s contributions in unearthing under-the-radar pitching talent that produced at the big league level." www.mlb.com/news/phillie...
Ani Kilambi has a strong background in research and development with the Rays and Phillies. Another young, up-and-coming hire by Paul Toboni.
Source confirms the Nationals are hiring Ani Kilambi as general manager. 31-year-old was asst. GM with Phillies, has strong background in R&D. Will work below POBO Paul Toboni. (ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported first)
December 17, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Ani Kilambi has a strong background in research and development with the Rays and Phillies. Another young, up-and-coming hire by Paul Toboni.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Paul Toboni’s first free agent signing is a former first-round pick who resurrected his career in Japan the last 3 seasons.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
Source: Nats signing lefty Griffin after successful stint in Japan
The first free agent signed by the Nationals’ new front office is a former first-round pick who went to Japan to resurrect his pitching career.The Nats are in agreement with left-hander Foster Griffin...
www.masnsports.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Paul Toboni’s first free agent signing is a former first-round pick who resurrected his career in Japan the last 3 seasons.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/s...
Foster Griffin was named a NPB All-Star this year after posting a 1.52 ERA, 0.966 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and 3.95 K/BB. He also gave up just one homer in 89 innings over 17 games.
Nationals are signing LHP Foster Griffin to a 1-year, $5.5 million deal, pending physical, source confirms. 30-year-old starter made 7 MLB appearances with KC/TOR from 2020-22 but spent last 3 seasons in Japan, where he had a 2.57 ERA, 1.033 WHIP. (FanSided's Robert Murray reported first)
December 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Foster Griffin was named a NPB All-Star this year after posting a 1.52 ERA, 0.966 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and 3.95 K/BB. He also gave up just one homer in 89 innings over 17 games.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Josh Bell heads to Minnesota, Jake Bennett heads to Boston, Luis Perales comes to DC.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Bell signs with Twins, Bennett traded to Red Sox for fellow pitching prospect
We’ll never know if there was a realistic chance of Josh Bell returning to the Nationals for another season, whether the new front office valued him the same way the previous front office did. Regardl...
www.masnsports.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Josh Bell heads to Minnesota, Jake Bennett heads to Boston, Luis Perales comes to DC.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Luis Perales was the Red Sox’s No. 7 prospect per @mlbpipeline.com. Jake Bennett, a 2022 second-round pick who was high school and college teammates with Cade Cavalli, was the Nats’ No. 11 prospect.
Nationals have swapped pitching prospects with the Red Sox, sending LHP Jake Bennett to Boston for RHP Luis Perales, source confirms. (ESPN's Jeff Passan reported first.)
Perales, 22, throws 100. Had TJ surgery in June '24, returned to pitch late this season, including in AZ Fall League.
Perales, 22, throws 100. Had TJ surgery in June '24, returned to pitch late this season, including in AZ Fall League.
December 16, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Luis Perales was the Red Sox’s No. 7 prospect per @mlbpipeline.com. Jake Bennett, a 2022 second-round pick who was high school and college teammates with Cade Cavalli, was the Nats’ No. 11 prospect.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
The Nationals’ new front office wants to establish more of a presence in Japan. But that’s probably not going to happen right away.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
New front office putting Japanese market on backburner for now
Why did it take two decades before the Nationals signed their first free agent from Asia?“That market is a market that is built on relationships,” former general manager Mike Rizzo said. “You can’t go...
www.masnsports.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Nationals’ new front office wants to establish more of a presence in Japan. But that’s probably not going to happen right away.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats officially announce they have avoided salary arbitration and agreed to a one-year contract for 2026 with Josiah Gray, who should be ready to go by spring training.
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Nats officially announce they have avoided salary arbitration and agreed to a one-year contract for 2026 with Josiah Gray, who should be ready to go by spring training.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
More from the Winter Meetings on CJ Abrams, Brady House and how the Nationals intend to use the DH position.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
New regime's thoughts on Abrams, House and the DH position
With a new president of baseball operations and a new manager, there were no shortage of Nationals-related topics to bring up at the Winter Meetings this week. Paul Toboni and Blake Butera were pepper...
www.masnsports.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM
More from the Winter Meetings on CJ Abrams, Brady House and how the Nationals intend to use the DH position.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats extend non-roster invites to major league spring training to:
-INF Orelvis Martinez
-RHP Tyler Baum
-RHP Eddy Yean
-INF Orelvis Martinez
-RHP Tyler Baum
-RHP Eddy Yean
December 12, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Nats extend non-roster invites to major league spring training to:
-INF Orelvis Martinez
-RHP Tyler Baum
-RHP Eddy Yean
-INF Orelvis Martinez
-RHP Tyler Baum
-RHP Eddy Yean