Mark Zuckerman
@markzuckerman.bsky.social
I didn't invent Facebook, but I do cover the Washington Nationals for MASNsports.com and co-host the Nats Chat podcast: https://www.natschatpodcast.com/
Daylen Lile finished 5th for NL Rookie of the Year. He's the first Nationals player to receive ROY votes since Victor Robles in 2019, the first Nationals player to receive votes for any BBWAA award since Juan Soto (MVP runner-up) in 2021.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Daylen Lile finished 5th for NL Rookie of the Year. He's the first Nationals player to receive ROY votes since Victor Robles in 2019, the first Nationals player to receive votes for any BBWAA award since Juan Soto (MVP runner-up) in 2021.
Nationals have announced the hiring of Michael Johns as bench coach. Quote from manager Blake Butera, who overlapped with him in the Rays organization the last 9 seasons:
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Nationals have announced the hiring of Michael Johns as bench coach. Quote from manager Blake Butera, who overlapped with him in the Rays organization the last 9 seasons:
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
Michael Johns oversaw Rays' baserunning as 1st base coach the past 2 seasons.
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Michael Johns oversaw Rays' baserunning as 1st base coach the past 2 seasons.
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
TB was 2nd in MLB over last 2 years in stolen bases, stealing safely ~79% of the time (Nats at ~75%). Rays jumped from below league average in 2024 to 5th-best in 2025 at 80% (Nats 3rd-worst at 73%).
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Michael Johns will be the Nationals' new bench coach, per Ken Rosenthal. Johns, 50, has worked in the Rays organization since 2008, including 9 seasons as a minor league manager, before becoming Tampa Bay's first base coach in 2024. Already has an established relationship with manager Blake Butera.
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
James Wood did not win a Silver Slugger Award after being a finalist for the first time. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker took home the NL honors in the outfield.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
James Wood did not win a Silver Slugger Award after being a finalist for the first time. Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker took home the NL honors in the outfield.
More on today's transactions and who's left on the Nationals' ever-shrinking 40-man roster:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats lose Brzykcy, Loutos on waivers, outright Lipscomb to Triple-A
The Nationals continued to remake their 40-man roster this afternoon with a series of transactions that included the departures of pitchers Zach Brzykcy and Ryan Loutos, the demotion of infielder Trey...
www.masnsports.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
More on today's transactions and who's left on the Nationals' ever-shrinking 40-man roster:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
But wait, there's more ...
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
November 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
But wait, there's more ...
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
* Zach Brzykcy was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. So that leaves 34 players on the 40-man roster.
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Nationals transactions:
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
* Trey Lipscomb cleared waivers, outrighted to AAA Rochester
* Ryan Loutos claimed off waivers by Mariners
* Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Drew Millas, Trevor Williams activated off 60-day IL
That leaves 35 players on the 40-man roster.
Your current managers of the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres ...
November 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Your current managers of the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres ...
One of the most intriguing questions with a brand-new Nationals organization: How much day-to-day influence will the front office have on the manager's office?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
How much influence will Nats' new front office have on manager's office?
For generations, the division between a franchise’s front office and the manager’s office was clear-cut. The general manager’s job was to assemble the team’s roster. And the manager’s job was to use t...
www.masnsports.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
One of the most intriguing questions with a brand-new Nationals organization: How much day-to-day influence will the front office have on the manager's office?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/h...
Highlights of Nats' 2026 spring training schedule:
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Highlights of Nats' 2026 spring training schedule:
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
* 2/21 openers vs HOU/at STL
* 2/23 home vs PHI
* 2/25-2/26 road trip at NYY/PHI
* 3/4 exhibition vs. Venezuela
* 3/7 home vs NYY
* 3/21 Spring Breakout prospect game at STL
* 3/22 vs O's in Baltimore
* 3/23 vs O's in D.C.
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
Not many people make the jump from a front office role in player development to first-time major league manager.
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera's background in player development appealed to Toboni, Nats
Blake Butera has officially been the Nationals’ new manager for five days. But we won’t hear from the 33-year-old skipper for a couple of weeks while he and his wife, Caroline Margolis, get settled af...
www.masnsports.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Not many people make the jump from a front office role in player development to first-time major league manager.
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
But Paul Toboni and the Nats believe Blake Butera's "unique set of experiences" will help the 33-year-old become a successful skipper. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Paul Toboni had never formally met Blake Butera before, but the Nats' new president of baseball operations already knew all about the 33-year-old before hiring him as his first manager, then was blown away during their interview.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Toboni believes unique background made Butera best choice for Nats manager
Though he didn’t literally know Blake Butera before, Paul Toboni felt like he already knew all about the young man he just hired to be Nationals manager, long before either was employed by the franchi...
www.masnsports.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Paul Toboni had never formally met Blake Butera before, but the Nats' new president of baseball operations already knew all about the 33-year-old before hiring him as his first manager, then was blown away during their interview.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Clarifying this: DeBartolo will be senior VP and assistant GM, overseeing baseball operations.
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Clarifying this: DeBartolo will be senior VP and assistant GM, overseeing baseball operations.
Paul Toboni said he and Blake Butera will work together to hire a coaching staff. Said while prior MLB experience is a bonus, it's not required. Wasn't ready to comment on any previous Nats coaches being under consideration to return.
November 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Paul Toboni said he and Blake Butera will work together to hire a coaching staff. Said while prior MLB experience is a bonus, it's not required. Wasn't ready to comment on any previous Nats coaches being under consideration to return.
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).
November 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Paul Toboni said they won't be hiring a GM "for the time being." Mike DeBartolo will be senior VP for administration. New hire Devin Pearson will be asst. GM for player development, while Justin Horowitz will be asst. GM for acquisitions (amateur/pro/international).
On a video conference with reporters, Paul Toboni says he was well aware of Blake Butera prior to this process, actually scouted him in college, had a lot of mutual connections. "I feel very good about betting on Blake, because of the person he is."
November 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
On a video conference with reporters, Paul Toboni says he was well aware of Blake Butera prior to this process, actually scouted him in college, had a lot of mutual connections. "I feel very good about betting on Blake, because of the person he is."
Daylen Lile didn’t finish in the top three for NL Rookie of the Year.
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Daylen Lile didn’t finish in the top three for NL Rookie of the Year.
The World Series is over. The offseason has begun. And the Nationals, with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera now in charge, have a lot of work to do.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Toboni, Butera have plenty of work to do as offseason begins
The 2025 Major League Baseball season ended early Sunday morning, in just about as dramatic fashion as possible. Whether you were happy, upset or indifferent to the result, you have to admit Game 7 of...
www.masnsports.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The World Series is over. The offseason has begun. And the Nationals, with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera now in charge, have a lot of work to do.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/t...
Jacob Young loses out to Pete Crow-Armstrong for the NL Gold Glove Award in center field.
November 3, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Jacob Young loses out to Pete Crow-Armstrong for the NL Gold Glove Award in center field.
With the World Series complete, Josh Bell, Paul DeJong and Derek Law are officially free agents.
November 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
With the World Series complete, Josh Bell, Paul DeJong and Derek Law are officially free agents.
Blake Butera brings plenty to the table with his successful background in player development. But make no mistake, his surprise hiring is still a gamble for the Nationals and their new president of baseball operations. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera brings plenty to the table, but his hiring is a gamble for Nats (Alfaro becomes free agent)
Once the initial shock of Thursday’s news – They hired who? He’s how old? He’s never played or coached above what level? – wore off, the case for the Nationals’ hiring of Blake Butera as their new man...
www.masnsports.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Blake Butera brings plenty to the table with his successful background in player development. But make no mistake, his surprise hiring is still a gamble for the Nationals and their new president of baseball operations. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Jorge Alfaro, who spent September as the Nationals’ backup catcher, cleared outright waivers and elected to become a free agent.
October 31, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Jorge Alfaro, who spent September as the Nationals’ backup catcher, cleared outright waivers and elected to become a free agent.
Reposted by Mark Zuckerman
* Youngest MLB manager in 53 years
* 1st became MiLB manager at 25
* Headed Rays player development last 2 years
* Connections to Craig Albernaz and Mike Piazza
* Became a father yesterday!
What we know about the Nats' new skipper Blake Butera. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
* 1st became MiLB manager at 25
* Headed Rays player development last 2 years
* Connections to Craig Albernaz and Mike Piazza
* Became a father yesterday!
What we know about the Nats' new skipper Blake Butera. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
What we know about Nats' new skipper Butera (official)
On what was supposed to be a quiet off-day from this year’s very entertaining World Series, the Nationals made headlines Thursday by reportedly hiring Blake Butera to be their new manager.At just 33 y...
www.masnsports.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
* Youngest MLB manager in 53 years
* 1st became MiLB manager at 25
* Headed Rays player development last 2 years
* Connections to Craig Albernaz and Mike Piazza
* Became a father yesterday!
What we know about the Nats' new skipper Blake Butera. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
* 1st became MiLB manager at 25
* Headed Rays player development last 2 years
* Connections to Craig Albernaz and Mike Piazza
* Became a father yesterday!
What we know about the Nats' new skipper Blake Butera. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
The Nationals have officially announced the hiring of Blake Butera as the eighth full-time manager in club history. And the Butera family is going remember Oct. 30, 2025 for a long time. From the press release:
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Nationals have officially announced the hiring of Blake Butera as the eighth full-time manager in club history. And the Butera family is going remember Oct. 30, 2025 for a long time. From the press release: