Spencer Nusbaum
@spencernusbaum.bsky.social
Covering the Nationals ✍️ @washingtonpost.com
📧: spencer.nusbaum@washpost.com
📧: spencer.nusbaum@washpost.com
Every year, MLB pitchers throw harder and harder. But behind the scenes, they’re also embarking on a quieter quest: learning more and more pitch types.
Enter Foster Griffin, who returns from Japan with seven pitches and the chance to step up with the Nats:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Enter Foster Griffin, who returns from Japan with seven pitches and the chance to step up with the Nats:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
He did a bit of a study abroad in Japan. It changed him as a pitcher.
The Nationals signed Foster Griffin, a left-hander who throws seven pitches, to a one-year contract worth up to $6.5 million.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Every year, MLB pitchers throw harder and harder. But behind the scenes, they’re also embarking on a quieter quest: learning more and more pitch types.
Enter Foster Griffin, who returns from Japan with seven pitches and the chance to step up with the Nats:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Enter Foster Griffin, who returns from Japan with seven pitches and the chance to step up with the Nats:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The Nationals have a new general manager in Anirudh Kilambi. And the background he will bring is becoming increasingly common in DC:
- In his 30s.
- From a competitive organization.
- Data guy.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
- In his 30s.
- From a competitive organization.
- Data guy.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Nationals’ Paul Toboni hires his No. 2: A 31-year-old GM
The hiring of Anirudh Kilambi from the Phillies as the new GM aligns perfectly with the Nats’ Venn diagram: Young, from a competitive organization and steeped in data.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:11 AM
The Nationals have a new general manager in Anirudh Kilambi. And the background he will bring is becoming increasingly common in DC:
- In his 30s.
- From a competitive organization.
- Data guy.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
- In his 30s.
- From a competitive organization.
- Data guy.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
The Nationals have their first free agent signing of the winter: Foster Griffin. More here on the 30-year-old lefty who spent the last 3 seasons in Japan:
Nationals take a chance on a left-hander who lands a second MLB chance
Foster Griffin, 30, spent the past three seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The Nationals have their first free agent signing of the winter: Foster Griffin. More here on the 30-year-old lefty who spent the last 3 seasons in Japan:
CJ Abrams has emerged as one of the biggest names on MLB’s trade block. But should the Nationals trade him?
@andrewgolden.bsky.social and I think it’s best to hold off: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrgC3STA/
@andrewgolden.bsky.social and I think it’s best to hold off: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrgC3STA/
All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has emerged as one of the biggest names on MLB’s trade block. But should the Washington Nationals trade him? #MLB #Nationals #baseball #washingtondc #baseballtiktoks
TikTok video by Andrew and Spencer
www.tiktok.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
CJ Abrams has emerged as one of the biggest names on MLB’s trade block. But should the Nationals trade him?
@andrewgolden.bsky.social and I think it’s best to hold off: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrgC3STA/
@andrewgolden.bsky.social and I think it’s best to hold off: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrgC3STA/
The Nationals have their new lower-level pitching coordinator: Will Hawks. He arrives from the St. Louis Cardinals org and was their High A pitching coach last year.
December 15, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The Nationals have their new lower-level pitching coordinator: Will Hawks. He arrives from the St. Louis Cardinals org and was their High A pitching coach last year.
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
For the fourth straight year, the Nationals take a player in the Rule 5 Draft. This time around, it's Griff McGarry, a right-handed pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies.
December 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
For the fourth straight year, the Nationals take a player in the Rule 5 Draft. This time around, it's Griff McGarry, a right-handed pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
What I’m hearing at the winter meetings about how teams view CJ Abrams, plus more remarks from new manager Blake Butera about his thoughts on Abrams and the team’s goals for 2026:
The Nats’ roster uncertainty starts with CJ Abrams. Fix him or deal him?
Blake Butera, the Nationals’ new manager, is no stranger to working with young players. Abrams may be on the trade block, but the kipper sees potential.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
What I’m hearing at the winter meetings about how teams view CJ Abrams, plus more remarks from new manager Blake Butera about his thoughts on Abrams and the team’s goals for 2026:
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
Blake Butera acknowledged the average age of his staff earlier:
"That wasn't on purpose. We weren't trying to get young staff. Someone made a joke like, 'Did you tell Paul when you got hired that the staff has to be under 40 years old?'
"You might not believe me, but no."
"That wasn't on purpose. We weren't trying to get young staff. Someone made a joke like, 'Did you tell Paul when you got hired that the staff has to be under 40 years old?'
"You might not believe me, but no."
December 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Blake Butera acknowledged the average age of his staff earlier:
"That wasn't on purpose. We weren't trying to get young staff. Someone made a joke like, 'Did you tell Paul when you got hired that the staff has to be under 40 years old?'
"You might not believe me, but no."
"That wasn't on purpose. We weren't trying to get young staff. Someone made a joke like, 'Did you tell Paul when you got hired that the staff has to be under 40 years old?'
"You might not believe me, but no."
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
Blake Butera just spoke here in Orlando. Mentioned that he met with MacKenzie Gore in NC last week and his staff has begun meeting with players.
Added James Wood and bench coach Michael Johns were working on outfield defense this weekend in Florida.
Added James Wood and bench coach Michael Johns were working on outfield defense this weekend in Florida.
December 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Blake Butera just spoke here in Orlando. Mentioned that he met with MacKenzie Gore in NC last week and his staff has begun meeting with players.
Added James Wood and bench coach Michael Johns were working on outfield defense this weekend in Florida.
Added James Wood and bench coach Michael Johns were working on outfield defense this weekend in Florida.
Great story from Andrew on what’s going on with the Nats at winter meetings:
Paul Toboni said the team would be “negligent” not to listen to offers for MacKenzie Gore or CJ Abrams. But the price to get either will be high.
Some teams were interested in Gore at this year’s deadline. More teams are interested this winter:
Some teams were interested in Gore at this year’s deadline. More teams are interested this winter:
Contenders crave MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams. The Nats want a lot in return.
The Yankees are among the teams interested in Gore, and Abrams offers a rare blend of power and speed. The Nationals may face some difficult decisions soon.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Great story from Andrew on what’s going on with the Nats at winter meetings:
Story on Harry Ford, in line to be the Nats new franchise catcher and warming to the idea of playing in DC after developing in the Mariners system:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The Nats’ new catcher was ‘pretty sad’ to get traded. But opportunity awaits.
Catcher Harry Ford arrives in Washington from Seattle, the organization that made him a first-round draft pick in 2021.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Story on Harry Ford, in line to be the Nats new franchise catcher and warming to the idea of playing in DC after developing in the Mariners system:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
Hearing the Nationals are close to finalizing a deal to trade reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners.
December 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Hearing the Nationals are close to finalizing a deal to trade reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners.
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
The Nationals are hiring C.J. Gillman as their director of hitting for the minor leagues, per source.
Gillman most recently served as a hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.
Gillman most recently served as a hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The Nationals are hiring C.J. Gillman as their director of hitting for the minor leagues, per source.
Gillman most recently served as a hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.
Gillman most recently served as a hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.
UNC Charlotte hitting coach Phillip Cebuhar is joining the Nationals as a hitting coordinator, per the school.
To clarify: The role is on the player development side, I’m told.
charlotte49ers.com/news/2025/12...
To clarify: The role is on the player development side, I’m told.
charlotte49ers.com/news/2025/12...
Cebuhar Joins Washington Nationals as Hitting Coordinator - Charlotte Athletics
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte Baseball hitting coach Phillip Cebuhar is leaving the 49ers to join the Washington Nationals organization as a hitting coordinator.
charlotte49ers.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
UNC Charlotte hitting coach Phillip Cebuhar is joining the Nationals as a hitting coordinator, per the school.
To clarify: The role is on the player development side, I’m told.
charlotte49ers.com/news/2025/12...
To clarify: The role is on the player development side, I’m told.
charlotte49ers.com/news/2025/12...
Coaching staff news: Corey Ray will be the Nationals first base coach, per source.
Comes from the Chicago Cubs player development system, where he was their ACL manager and the org’s baserunning coordinator.
Comes from the Chicago Cubs player development system, where he was their ACL manager and the org’s baserunning coordinator.
December 1, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Coaching staff news: Corey Ray will be the Nationals first base coach, per source.
Comes from the Chicago Cubs player development system, where he was their ACL manager and the org’s baserunning coordinator.
Comes from the Chicago Cubs player development system, where he was their ACL manager and the org’s baserunning coordinator.
The Nationals are hiring Desmond McGowan to lead the amateur scouting department, per source. @JoeDoyleMiLB first on it.
McGowan arrives from the Mets, where he worked quite a bit on the data science/analytics side. Has worked a lot with New York’s draft process.
McGowan arrives from the Mets, where he worked quite a bit on the data science/analytics side. Has worked a lot with New York’s draft process.
November 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The Nationals are hiring Desmond McGowan to lead the amateur scouting department, per source. @JoeDoyleMiLB first on it.
McGowan arrives from the Mets, where he worked quite a bit on the data science/analytics side. Has worked a lot with New York’s draft process.
McGowan arrives from the Mets, where he worked quite a bit on the data science/analytics side. Has worked a lot with New York’s draft process.
Also worth mentioning that this role does not exist in every org — but given what the Nationals need in the bigs, it makes a lot of sense to add.
Grant Anders will be joining the Washington Nationals as an MLB development coach and bullpen catcher, per sources.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
November 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Also worth mentioning that this role does not exist in every org — but given what the Nationals need in the bigs, it makes a lot of sense to add.
Grant Anders will be joining the Washington Nationals as an MLB development coach and bullpen catcher, per sources.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Grant Anders will be joining the Washington Nationals as an MLB development coach and bullpen catcher, per sources.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
Spent the last six years with the Baltimore Orioles. Role, broadly speaking, is to work on player development at the major league level.
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
Pre-arbitration bonuses for the Nationals who qualified, as reported earlier by @apnews.com:
James Wood — $424,554
CJ Abrams — $403,973
Daylen Lile — $150,000
James Wood — $424,554
CJ Abrams — $403,973
Daylen Lile — $150,000
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Pre-arbitration bonuses for the Nationals who qualified, as reported earlier by @apnews.com:
James Wood — $424,554
CJ Abrams — $403,973
Daylen Lile — $150,000
James Wood — $424,554
CJ Abrams — $403,973
Daylen Lile — $150,000
I’d never tell Jesse this but even for him this is quite an exceptional read
I profiled Azzi Fudd.
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Azzi Fudd was a can’t-miss basketball star. Then she had to prove it again.
Injuries and self-doubt nearly derailed a prodigy. Now in her final college season, she has rediscovered just how good she can be.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
I’d never tell Jesse this but even for him this is quite an exceptional read
Feedback loops? Banger sliders?
As much as any hire can, the Nationals new 30-year-old pitching coach represents a pivot in the organization:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
As much as any hire can, the Nationals new 30-year-old pitching coach represents a pivot in the organization:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Feedback loops, banger sliders and the pitching coach who will shape the new Nats
Simon Mathews, 30, will oversee one of the youngest pitching staffs in baseball and work underneath Blake Butera, MLB’s youngest manager in more than 50 years.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Feedback loops? Banger sliders?
As much as any hire can, the Nationals new 30-year-old pitching coach represents a pivot in the organization:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
As much as any hire can, the Nationals new 30-year-old pitching coach represents a pivot in the organization:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
Monday’s press conference certainly was not the first time Blake Butera had been asked about his age. It certainly will not be the last.
No one seemed to be more aware of that than Butera, who didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being himself:
No one seemed to be more aware of that than Butera, who didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being himself:
The Nats’ 33-year-old manager knows the questions are coming
“When you talk with players and work with players, I think the last thing they look at is how old or young somebody might be,” Nationals Manager Blake Butera said Monday.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Monday’s press conference certainly was not the first time Blake Butera had been asked about his age. It certainly will not be the last.
No one seemed to be more aware of that than Butera, who didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being himself:
No one seemed to be more aware of that than Butera, who didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being himself:
Reposted by Spencer Nusbaum
The Nationals are hiring Tyler Smarslok as the team’s field coordinator, sources tell @chelseajanes.bsky.social and me.
Smarslok was the Marlins’ 1B coach last season. He was also responsible for coaching Miami’s base running and infield defense.
Smarslok was the Marlins’ 1B coach last season. He was also responsible for coaching Miami’s base running and infield defense.
November 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The Nationals are hiring Tyler Smarslok as the team’s field coordinator, sources tell @chelseajanes.bsky.social and me.
Smarslok was the Marlins’ 1B coach last season. He was also responsible for coaching Miami’s base running and infield defense.
Smarslok was the Marlins’ 1B coach last season. He was also responsible for coaching Miami’s base running and infield defense.
Some quick thoughts on the three players the Nationals added to the 40-man roster yesterday:
November 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Some quick thoughts on the three players the Nationals added to the 40-man roster yesterday:
Butera’s full quote on Sean Doolittle:
November 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Butera’s full quote on Sean Doolittle: