Nick Senzel told reporters that between what he experienced last year in Cincinnati and what he signed in the nation’s capital when he agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Washington Nationals, who are restarting after five seasons. He said he felt there were some similarities. With the Reds, who have recently been rebuilding (Who drafted him 2nd overall in the 2016 draft and for whom he debuted in 2018?).
“I played in Cincinnati last year,” Senzel said. There’s young talent and just having that youth is exciting and being able to get that energy and watch the Nationals play from the other side where they brought it. I saw similarities as I watched them play with energy and excitement. So it’s going to be exciting. It should be an easy transition going to a group of many young men. Just try to coach them and match your energy level with theirs. Because that young man has so much energy and that’s a great thing for life. He’s great for the team, he’s great for the clubhouse. ”
28 year old infielder and outfielder (Who is expected to play in the Nats’ third?), there was also a connection to DC. A close friendship with Lane Thomas since childhood, and relationships with many current Nationals players and coaches.
“I actually came through the Reds system with Tanner Rainey, so I know Tanner, I know his family, and then I know.” [Third Base Coach] Ricky Gutierrez, one of the coaches, these are the only two — and they just hired Miguel Cairo, I think he’s going to be the bench coach, so there’s some old Reds on the Washington side that I know. I have a good relationship with them and have had good experiences. “
Combined with the opportunity to reunite with Thomas, Senzel said he thought he had an opportunity to play every day and help the franchise take a step toward playing competitive baseball again.
“Obviously, me and Lane grew up playing together,” he explained. “And this opportunity that was presented to me, to be able to play every day and get a fresh start with a franchise that has such a storied history, was in some ways a no-brainer for me. It’s just crazy, to be honest, just because Lane, one of my best friends growing up, plays right field. We train together here at the University of Tennessee. , I still can’t believe we’re teammates.”
Dylan Floro (33 years old) signed a one-year/$2.25 million free agent contract from the Nats and is coming off a tough 2023 season with the Marlins and Twins, with a 4.76 ERA, 2.96 FIP, and .308 batting average. left behind. He had a .363/.410 line in 62 games, 56 2⁄3 IP.
Looking for a new home this winter, Floro saw an opportunity in Washington, D.C., a club he had faced 19 times over the past few years as the Nationals restarted.
“They have young talent,” Frollo said. “The more experience the young talent gets, the better the team will be in the end. Over the past three years, I’ve watched a lot of them and played against them, and from my eyes… And they’re getting better every year. They should be even better this year with more experience and they’ll add a few guys here and there and they’ll make a difference.”
Joey Gallo, 30, signed a one-year/$5 million deal with the Nats in late January after hitting .177/.301/.440 with nine doubles and 21 home runs in the 2023 season. A contract was signed. He appeared in 111 games and 332 at-bats. minnesota twins. He hit one of his 21 home runs in the early season series against the Nationals and was impressed with what he saw from their club.
“I remember playing them when they were in Minnesota. I remember it was like 20 degrees, and it was snowing most of the game. It was a tough series, especially with a young team. I really appreciated the way that team went out there and they played hard,” Gallo said.
“Regardless of the weather, we were a very competitive team.”
“When you play against the Nationals, you see they play competitively and play hard, and that’s how I play,” he added.
He said his new team is close to taking the next step.
“When you look at the roster, we have a lot of young, athletic talent that we only played against a little bit last year. It’s always fun to be around guys like that,” Gallo said.I’m really looking forward to working with this energetic young group. [who] They don’t really know much about what’s in front of them yet, but they like to bring that energy to the clubhouse every day. ”
Josiah Gray, 26, joined the Nationals on a 2021 loan contract with Los Angeles. dodgers This is the catalyst for Washington’s restart, and he spoke in a recent interview on MLB Network Radio about the reinforcements the club has already made this winter and what he expects them to add to the organization’s build.
It started with a question about Gallo signing with Washington.
“I was thinking about that the other day,” Gray told the show’s hosts. “The first thing people think of is [Gallo is] veteran. He’s a player who’s played on so many teams, in so many situations, he can hit the long ball, and I think he fills that need for us with a veteran presence. I think Dom Smith will be very sad to be gone, but hopefully Gallo will come in and bring that veteran presence over to the position players. And Senzel and Dylan Floro as well, those are guys who have played on really good teams. I was with Floro a little while with the Dodgers — we know each other pretty well, I can’t say we’re really close, but we’ve just been around for a while. I think his sinker and changeup will help a lot of bullpen guys and starters as well.”
I wonder if there will be veterans involved (Close the gap until the next wave comes) And did the young talent on the Nationals roster further improve on what the club accomplished last season, winning 16 more games than the 2022 total? Is winning important this year or just growing and seeing what they have so they can make the right additions before actually expecting to compete in the National League East again? Is it important to do so?