The new era of Nationals leadership just completed their first time representing the franchise at the annual MLB Winter Meetings. Mark (After returning from Orlando) & Al begin with the results of the Draft, where they were not allowed to end up with a top 10 pick. The Nationals had the ping pong balls bounce their way initially, but due to the leagues rules they will settle for #11 overall.

(06:00) Evaluating the chances that MacKenzie Gore and/or CJ Abrams get traded this off-season.

(15:00) Parsing through Toboni's recent note to fans that could be interpreted as a heads-up that we are headed towards a new rebuild.

(19:10) Handicapping the catcher situation now after the trade with Seattle. Harry Ford is one of the top rated catching prospects and Keibert Ruiz still has many years left on his extension.

(27:30) Why did Washington trade away Jose A. Ferrer?

(30:15) A check at the new technology that Toboni has added to the infrastructure of the organization.

(36:10) Jake Irvin, Riley Adams & Luis Garcia Jr. were among those were tendered by the team to return in 2026.

(40:00) Would Abrams move to 2B if he is not traded?

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Quick recap of the Nationals trade over the weekend with Seattle by Tim Shovers. Closer Jose. A Ferrer was sent to the Mariners in exchange for catcher Harry Ford & RHP Isaac Lyon. Get up to speed on the first trade executed by Paul Toboni.

**Next full episode with Mark & Al will be Friday morning December 12th after the MLB Winter Meetings take place in Orlando, FL.

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The Nationals introduced their new 33-year-old Manager Blake Butera on Monday afternoon to the local media. Mark & Al react to the press conference where Butera was joined on stage by Paul Toboni and fielded questions about becoming the youngest MLB Manager in a half century.

(17:00) An early look at Butera's coaching staff, which will include Sean Doolittle.

(24:35) Luis Garcia Jr., Jake Irvin, and Riley Adams are among the non-tender candidates as it relates to upcoming Arbitration eligibility.

(32:00) Brief commentary on some potential big names that will be floated this off-season in trade rumors.

(35:10) Tim is joined by WTOP & Sirius XM's Ben Raby for a review of the Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Expos?". Ben grew up an Expos fan in Canada and is an avid Nats Chat listener.

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Tim Shovers provides a short recap of Paul Toboni's Conference Call on Tuesday to address the hiring of Blake Butera as new manager. Butera and his wife welcomed a child the same day he accepted the job and his intro press conference is expected to be held later this month in D.C.

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According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Nationals hired the youngest Manager in over 50 years. Mark & Al discuss the news that Washington will soon name 33-year-old Blake Butera as the team's next skipper. The surprising hire comes from the Rays organization and his only previous managerial experience was in Low-A. Butera was drafted in the 35th Round out of Boston College but became a minor league manager at age 25.

(14:10) A look at some of the other candidates in the interview process.

(22:00) Going over Butera's resume in MLB, who was Tampa Bay's Director of Player Development in 2025.

(29:15) Who will be on Butera's Coaching Staff?

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Tim Shovers with a quick reminder about the end of season Podcast Party. This Friday night, October 10th, at 7pm at Walter's Sports Bar in Navy Yard.

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The Nationals began a new era on Wednesday morning as Paul Toboni was officially introduced as the new President of Baseball Operations. Mark & Al react to Toboni's first time meeting with the D.C. media in the press room at the ballpark. Toboni was joined on the podium by three members of ownership in Mark Lerner, Ed Cohen, and Robert Tanenbaum.

(07:00) Spending by ownership was brought up multiple times during the press conference.

(15:35) Toboni's answer on if he will hire a General Manager beneath him. Mike DeBartolo was in attendance at the press conference.

(21:20) Toboni's response about the young talent within the franchise.

(24:00) Discussion on the managerial situation and what Toboni had to say about interim skipper Miguel Cairo.

(36:45) How should Toboni handle the current staff within the Front Office?

(39:05) NATS CHAT PODCAST PARTY ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 10TH AT 7PM AT WALTER'S. FIRST BEER ON THE HOUSE!

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The Nats closed their last place season on a sour note as they were shutout 8-0 on Sunday afternoon by the visiting White Sox. Mark & Al put the 66 win campaign under a wide-angle lens on the heels of their 14th shutout defeat. It should be a more active October than the past few years as they remake the front office and likely will make a change at manager.

(13:20) Hear what Dylan Crews said afterwards as he seems to be gearing up for more of a leadership role on the team.

(21:15) James Wood went 0 for 3 and struck out in every at-bat. Wood finishes the year w/ 221 strike outs, by far the most in Baseball, but still two shy of Mark Reynolds' record from 2009.

(23:45) A wrap-up of just how the bad the Washington relief pitching was this season.

(32:00) A thank you to our great listeners as our numbers grew this season on the podcast despite the terrible performance on the field.

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