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.
CJ Abrams and James Wood helping distribute turkeys for the Nats’ annual Turkeypalooza outside Nationals Park.
November 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
CJ Abrams and James Wood helping distribute turkeys for the Nats’ annual Turkeypalooza outside Nationals Park.
More on the different career paths taken by Simon Mathews and Sean Doolittle that led the two friends to reunite back in D.C.
"He's become a great pitching friend of mine in the industry." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
"He's become a great pitching friend of mine in the industry." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
Different career paths reunite Mathews and Doolittle in D.C.
Throughout this offseason’s hiring process, we’ve been able to connect some dots to people who we wouldn’t have otherwise believed to be connected.Despite operating in varying roles in the same divisi...
www.masnsports.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
More on the different career paths taken by Simon Mathews and Sean Doolittle that led the two friends to reunite back in D.C.
"He's become a great pitching friend of mine in the industry." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
"He's become a great pitching friend of mine in the industry." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
On the state of the Nationals’ catching corps:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/a...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/a...
Are the Nationals proceeding with their catching corps as-is?
The Nationals’ decision to tender contracts to all of their arbitration-eligible players Friday was something of a surprise. Given the new regime now running baseball operations, it stood to reason th...
www.masnsports.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
On the state of the Nationals’ catching corps:
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/a...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/a...
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
More on today’s transactions. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats tender contracts to all eligible players, avoid arbitration with Adams
The first major decision made by Paul Toboni and his new Nationals front office: To retain all of the players currently under club control for now.The Nats tendered contracts to all of their unsigned ...
www.masnsports.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:58 PM
More on today’s transactions. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
The Nationals tendered contracts to all seven of their arbitration-eligible players. They even already agreed to a one-year contract with Riley Adams, avoiding arbitration.
So no non-tenders.
So no non-tenders.
November 21, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The Nationals tendered contracts to all seven of their arbitration-eligible players. They even already agreed to a one-year contract with Riley Adams, avoiding arbitration.
So no non-tenders.
So no non-tenders.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
It’s non-tender day, which could mean the first significant roster decisions of Paul Toboni’s front office. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
New front office faces several non-tender decisions
We’ve reached a potentially important day in the still-nascent stages of the Paul Toboni era of Nationals baseball. It’s non-tender day across the major leagues, which means the new president of baseb...
www.masnsports.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
It’s non-tender day, which could mean the first significant roster decisions of Paul Toboni’s front office. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Live again with Amy Jennings recapping Blake Butera's press conference and also hearing from new pitching coach Simon Mathews! youtube.com/live/6xufsa5...
Butera Era begins | District Chat
YouTube video by masn Nationals
youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Live again with Amy Jennings recapping Blake Butera's press conference and also hearing from new pitching coach Simon Mathews! youtube.com/live/6xufsa5...
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Simon Mathews went from an out-of-work, Triple-A right-hander trying to make rent during the pandemic to Nationals pitching coach at age 30. Was this part of his grand plan? “No. That’s the short answer.” www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
Mathews' unlikely path to Nats pitching coach at 30
Simon Mathews’ pitching career ended right as the entire world was shutting down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The then-24-year-old right-hander with an 89-mph fastball had maxed out his...
www.masnsports.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Simon Mathews went from an out-of-work, Triple-A right-hander trying to make rent during the pandemic to Nationals pitching coach at age 30. Was this part of his grand plan? “No. That’s the short answer.” www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/m...
It will be on MASNsports.com and the MASN Nationals YouTube channel later this afternoon.
was this zoom online somewhere for anyone to go watch now?
November 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It will be on MASNsports.com and the MASN Nationals YouTube channel later this afternoon.
New Nats pitching coach Simon Mathews was on a Zoom with local reporters. He said when the Nats first reached out for an interview he called Sean Doolittle, who he called a "great pitching friend of mine" from their time together in Cincinnati.
He's excited to reunite in D.C.
He's excited to reunite in D.C.
November 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
New Nats pitching coach Simon Mathews was on a Zoom with local reporters. He said when the Nats first reached out for an interview he called Sean Doolittle, who he called a "great pitching friend of mine" from their time together in Cincinnati.
He's excited to reunite in D.C.
He's excited to reunite in D.C.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Blake Butera on his still-developing coaching staff: "Regardless of age, I think that was most important to me when we were building out a staff: To make sure there are people in here who are going to help our players reach their ultimate potential." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera's staff mixes experience, youth and varied baseball backgrounds
As significant as Blake Butera’s hiring was – and, let’s be clear, it’s incredibly significant – there has been just as much interest in learning who will fill out the new Nationals manager’s coaching...
www.masnsports.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Blake Butera on his still-developing coaching staff: "Regardless of age, I think that was most important to me when we were building out a staff: To make sure there are people in here who are going to help our players reach their ultimate potential." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
More on the three prospects the Nationals added to their 40-man roster today and a few they chose to leave unprotected from next month's Rule 5 Draft.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nationals add Bennett, Franklin, Cornelio to 40-man roster
The Nationals added left-hander Jake Bennett, outfielder Christian Franklin and right-hander Riley Cornelio to their 40-man roster this afternoon, protecting all three prospects from being lost in nex...
www.masnsports.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
More on the three prospects the Nationals added to their 40-man roster today and a few they chose to leave unprotected from next month's Rule 5 Draft.
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
The Nationals selected the contracts of:
LHP Jake Bennett
RHP Riley Cornelio
OF Christian Franklin
They have been added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
LHP Jake Bennett
RHP Riley Cornelio
OF Christian Franklin
They have been added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
November 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The Nationals selected the contracts of:
LHP Jake Bennett
RHP Riley Cornelio
OF Christian Franklin
They have been added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
LHP Jake Bennett
RHP Riley Cornelio
OF Christian Franklin
They have been added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
Blake Butera spent the last 2 years as the head of the Rays' player development. He's excited to take that experience and bring it back to the dugout, where he returns to the manager's seat for the first time since 2022. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
Butera excited to use player development experience with Nats' young talent
When Blake Butera steps into the visiting dugout at Wrigley Field for the Nationals’ Opening Day game against the Cubs on March 26, not only will it be the 33-year-old’s first time in a major league d...
www.masnsports.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Blake Butera spent the last 2 years as the head of the Rays' player development. He's excited to take that experience and bring it back to the dugout, where he returns to the manager's seat for the first time since 2022. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/b...
News on Sean Doolittle remaining on the Nats coaching staff, and why Paul Toboni & Blake Butera felt it was important to bring him back.
"It's tough to not like Sean...he's really passionate about doing a great job in this role, which is exciting for us." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
"It's tough to not like Sean...he's really passionate about doing a great job in this role, which is exciting for us." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
Doolittle remaining on Nats coaching staff, exact role TBD
While most of today’s festivities at Nationals Park were focused on the official introduction of 33-year-old Blake Butera as the Nationals’ new manager, some news on his coaching staff also came out.S...
www.masnsports.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
News on Sean Doolittle remaining on the Nats coaching staff, and why Paul Toboni & Blake Butera felt it was important to bring him back.
"It's tough to not like Sean...he's really passionate about doing a great job in this role, which is exciting for us." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
"It's tough to not like Sean...he's really passionate about doing a great job in this role, which is exciting for us." www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/d...
Sean Doolittle will remain on the Nats coaching staff, per Paul Toboni. His official title is TBA.
November 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Sean Doolittle will remain on the Nats coaching staff, per Paul Toboni. His official title is TBA.
Getting ready for the next manager.
November 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Getting ready for the next manager.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
Gio Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy are on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Bring on the ballots! The 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot features 27 former players, including 15 new candidates.
Results will be announced live on MLB Network on Jan. 20. baseballhall.org/bbwaa
Results will be announced live on MLB Network on Jan. 20. baseballhall.org/bbwaa
November 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Gio Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy are on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
A look at the state of the Nationals’ payroll entering the offseason. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Where payroll stands as the Nats enter the offseason
In an offseason loaded with major questions, the Nationals have already answered two of the biggest ones: Who will lead baseball operations, and who will manage the big league club?Among the high-rank...
www.masnsports.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A look at the state of the Nationals’ payroll entering the offseason. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Nats announce home game times for 2026 season, starting with 1:05 p.m. for opener on Fri., April 3 vs. LAD.
Rest of the home times remain the same:
Weekday nights 6:45 p.m.
Saturday afternoons 4:05 p.m.
Sundays 1:35 p.m.
Most weekday afternoons 12:05/1:05 p.m.
July 4 11:05 a.m.
Rest of the home times remain the same:
Weekday nights 6:45 p.m.
Saturday afternoons 4:05 p.m.
Sundays 1:35 p.m.
Most weekday afternoons 12:05/1:05 p.m.
July 4 11:05 a.m.
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Nats announce home game times for 2026 season, starting with 1:05 p.m. for opener on Fri., April 3 vs. LAD.
Rest of the home times remain the same:
Weekday nights 6:45 p.m.
Saturday afternoons 4:05 p.m.
Sundays 1:35 p.m.
Most weekday afternoons 12:05/1:05 p.m.
July 4 11:05 a.m.
Rest of the home times remain the same:
Weekday nights 6:45 p.m.
Saturday afternoons 4:05 p.m.
Sundays 1:35 p.m.
Most weekday afternoons 12:05/1:05 p.m.
July 4 11:05 a.m.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
What positions of need might the Nationals prioritize this winter?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
Where the Nats roster most needs to be bolstered
Baseball’s annual GM Meetings wrap up this morning in Las Vegas, and as is always the case, there hasn’t been a whole lot of hard news coming out of the event. This isn’t the Winter Meetings (which ar...
www.masnsports.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
What positions of need might the Nationals prioritize this winter?
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/w...
I was an NL Cy Young Award voter. Like everyone else, I obviously had Paul Skenes as the winner.
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Explaining my NL Cy Young Award ballot
We’re nearing the end of awards week for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s four-highest honors that are handed out after every baseball season.The third was announced last night as Paul S...
www.masnsports.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I was an NL Cy Young Award voter. Like everyone else, I obviously had Paul Skenes as the winner.
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
Here's a breakdown of his dominant season and the other four names on my ballot. www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/e...
The Nationals have announced a press conference to introduce new manager Blake Butera on Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. It will air in its entirety on MASN.
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The Nationals have announced a press conference to introduce new manager Blake Butera on Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. It will air in its entirety on MASN.
Reposted by Bobby Blanco
On Simon Mathews and his path from Georgetown to the Angels’ farm system to two pitching labs to the Reds to Nationals pitching coach at 30: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...
Nats lure 30-year-old Mathews from Reds to become pitching coach
The youngest major league manager in five decades is going to have a pitching coach even younger than him. One with a significant D.C. connection and a pedigree in modern baseball philosophy.The Natio...
www.masnsports.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
On Simon Mathews and his path from Georgetown to the Angels’ farm system to two pitching labs to the Reds to Nationals pitching coach at 30: www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/n...