This is what the Athletic had to say about the trade of Griffin. They characterize it as 4 low-ranked pieces for a rental. I’m started to wonder if it was a matter to the FO of getting something versus nothing and question whether it was worth that. I also wonder if there is more of a backstory related to the extension negotiations between the club and Griffin’s reps.
This might sound negative, but baseball is a business. Trading Griffin also saved the Nationals more than $1 million. That may not sound like much, but it is more than they pay most of their players. Look at Cot’s Contracts: unless they trade Keibert Ruiz or trade or non-tender some arbitration-eligible players, there really isn’t any meaningful active payroll left to cut. I have to give the Lerners credit for getting the team’s payroll as low as possible heading into a potential lockout. I would be surprised if the Nationals didn’t enter it with the lowest active payroll in baseball.
Sorry, I get the business part, but I wouldn’t give the Lerners points for reducing payroll as a driving force. Yes, Luis and Griffon, low paid as they were compared to the rest of baseball, were amongst the more expensive Nats players. I’ve resisted mentioning that in terms of these trades because I would hate for that to be motivation for accepting less of a return. Even if it could obviously be a consideration.
It’s a totally different tangent best explored more another time, but I would hate for ownership to treat this franchise like it’s a small market team. There’s a lot that the Rays, Brewers and Guardians do well with that approach but IMO how the Nats operated in the oughts, when they were a hybrid of low and high-cost players is more fitting for our kind of market. It’s really not clear what the Lerner’s approach will be in the future and that concerns me.
There’s a ton more to say about this subject but I’ll leave it there for now.
I don’t really disagree with most of what you’re saying. When I said I had to give the Lerners credit, I meant strictly as a business decision. I think they may be positioning themselves for a possible lockout, not necessarily planning to operate permanently like a small market franchise.
I thought the Mead trade was good, and the García trade made sense. This one is harder for me to understand. The Nationals still had a chance to be competitive, or at least finish around .500, which would have been a significant improvement. A rotation of Griffin, Cavalli, Early, Irvin and Littell isn’t terrible, and they did improve the bullpen. The team may no longer score eight runs very often, but with better pitching, it might not have to.
Trading Griffin for four players who probably won’t help this year or next feels like giving up on the season. If this wasn’t about saving his remaining salary and getting a few lottery ticket prospects, I’m not sure what the reason was. I would have preferred that they continue trying to be competitive. If they finish only a few games out of a playoff spot, or even just a few wins short of .500, I think Toboni may end up looking foolish.
Interesting take. Then again you never know if and when relievers pan out. Maybe the nats just don’t think much of who we have in the pitching dept in the minors.
Ha, with good reason. The team has been building up its position player side in the minors but clearly has needed more pitching depth. These recent acquisitions heavily leaned in that direction. It was just a start.
Well, one of the things I really admire about Blake is how he has made use of all his players and not frozen anybody out (compare that to Martinez). I suspect House will get into the game later, or still play 3rd plenty in general. But I get your point about giving House regular work.
One of the things I've harped on all season is play House. He's the 3rd baseman of the future (so say the Nats). I get the struggle and the AAA reset, but you have to pencil this guy in virtually every day.
Because unlike last year, he can get time on the trajekt machine in batting practice seeing real MLB quality right handed breaking balls. No sense in forcing it in game.
Really disappointed in the Griffin trade. I expect us to be playoff contenders next year. No more excuses. No more trading MLB players for prospects. Sign MLB caliber players in the off season. I think most fans are at this point as well.
After his big hit with RISP yesterday, it's clear Jorbit Vivas has earned more playing time! So excited for him!!! #future
Borat voice: NOT
Sadly, it didn't even score a run.
Dang I wanted to be first
Did I miss anything? 😉
Just some guy named stoat breaking news on this website earlier.
That guy is always breaking stuff.
“Breaks wind” like a French bulldog.
Nice HR by Ortiz.
How about Great!!
This is what the Athletic had to say about the trade of Griffin. They characterize it as 4 low-ranked pieces for a rental. I’m started to wonder if it was a matter to the FO of getting something versus nothing and question whether it was worth that. I also wonder if there is more of a backstory related to the extension negotiations between the club and Griffin’s reps.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7437438/2026/08/03/foster-griffin-trade-nationals-guardians-mlb-deadline/?unlocked_article_code=1.2lA.088B.aeQP9oJelcZR&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta
This might sound negative, but baseball is a business. Trading Griffin also saved the Nationals more than $1 million. That may not sound like much, but it is more than they pay most of their players. Look at Cot’s Contracts: unless they trade Keibert Ruiz or trade or non-tender some arbitration-eligible players, there really isn’t any meaningful active payroll left to cut. I have to give the Lerners credit for getting the team’s payroll as low as possible heading into a potential lockout. I would be surprised if the Nationals didn’t enter it with the lowest active payroll in baseball.
Sorry, I get the business part, but I wouldn’t give the Lerners points for reducing payroll as a driving force. Yes, Luis and Griffon, low paid as they were compared to the rest of baseball, were amongst the more expensive Nats players. I’ve resisted mentioning that in terms of these trades because I would hate for that to be motivation for accepting less of a return. Even if it could obviously be a consideration.
It’s a totally different tangent best explored more another time, but I would hate for ownership to treat this franchise like it’s a small market team. There’s a lot that the Rays, Brewers and Guardians do well with that approach but IMO how the Nats operated in the oughts, when they were a hybrid of low and high-cost players is more fitting for our kind of market. It’s really not clear what the Lerner’s approach will be in the future and that concerns me.
There’s a ton more to say about this subject but I’ll leave it there for now.
They would have sold off Trevor if that had been the impetus.
I don’t really disagree with most of what you’re saying. When I said I had to give the Lerners credit, I meant strictly as a business decision. I think they may be positioning themselves for a possible lockout, not necessarily planning to operate permanently like a small market franchise.
I thought the Mead trade was good, and the García trade made sense. This one is harder for me to understand. The Nationals still had a chance to be competitive, or at least finish around .500, which would have been a significant improvement. A rotation of Griffin, Cavalli, Early, Irvin and Littell isn’t terrible, and they did improve the bullpen. The team may no longer score eight runs very often, but with better pitching, it might not have to.
Trading Griffin for four players who probably won’t help this year or next feels like giving up on the season. If this wasn’t about saving his remaining salary and getting a few lottery ticket prospects, I’m not sure what the reason was. I would have preferred that they continue trying to be competitive. If they finish only a few games out of a playoff spot, or even just a few wins short of .500, I think Toboni may end up looking foolish.
Interesting take. Then again you never know if and when relievers pan out. Maybe the nats just don’t think much of who we have in the pitching dept in the minors.
Ha, with good reason. The team has been building up its position player side in the minors but clearly has needed more pitching depth. These recent acquisitions heavily leaned in that direction. It was just a start.
I wish to have the level of faith in myself that Toboni has in Vivas and Tena.
If we’re going to stop having Brady House be something in this organization, then let’s stop pretending he is and come out and say it.
If there’s no faith he can hit righties, how do you want him to learn how to hit righties when he’s sitting against guys like Nola?
I’m fine with him not being a future piece, I’m not entirely attached to him, but we can’t expect the guy to learn when he doesn’t get a shot.
Absolutely!!!! He should be on there 100% of the time so we can find out ! Vivas isn't it IMHO!
In there.....
Well, one of the things I really admire about Blake is how he has made use of all his players and not frozen anybody out (compare that to Martinez). I suspect House will get into the game later, or still play 3rd plenty in general. But I get your point about giving House regular work.
One of the things I've harped on all season is play House. He's the 3rd baseman of the future (so say the Nats). I get the struggle and the AAA reset, but you have to pencil this guy in virtually every day.
Has that phrase actually ever been used by Toboni in reference to House?
Pre-Toboni, yes. But no clue by the current regime.
Let's just say that's my take.
Because unlike last year, he can get time on the trajekt machine in batting practice seeing real MLB quality right handed breaking balls. No sense in forcing it in game.
That’s only at home games
Hope Ortiz tater is a precursor and not a one-off!
So is this the Nats' five starters now?
Cavalli
Mikolas
Littel
Alvarez
Irvin
Hopefully Early will rehab his way into the rotation by September, if not sooner.
Beat me to it!
Trading Griffin is very demoralizing as it means we’ve officially given up on 2026.
Or not.
I'm not giving up. I don't think they are, either.
They're not, you're not, I'm not - and I'm sure there are others here who feel the same way.
Harper moving to RF for the remainder of 2026
Did Dombrowski get a first baseman just to tell Harper there I did something after all of Harper’s complaining
Got a second baseman and moved a bunch of other guys around. Could work out, who knows?
No. Arraez goes to 2nd. Stott goes from 2B to 3B. Bohm goes from 3B to 1B. Hooper goes from 1B to RF.
Yep, announced earlier today after the Arraez deal.
Ortiz!!
Trade deadline over, players need to relax and get back to the business of winning
Us, too!
Really disappointed in the Griffin trade. I expect us to be playoff contenders next year. No more excuses. No more trading MLB players for prospects. Sign MLB caliber players in the off season. I think most fans are at this point as well.
If it’s about next year the solution is simple. Sign him as a free agent. You were going to have to do that anyway.
Lile !!!
Lile! 3-0 good guys!
L
O
L
Too bad about all the folks who gave up on the Nats in the last thread.
Yup. The rest of this season may not be a doom-and-gloom scenario after all. :-)