The Washington Nationals are optimistic on getting a long-term deal done for manager Dave Martinez, bringing some continuity to the dugout.
The Washington Nationals may be struggling here in this shortened 2020 season, but that doesn’t take away from what Dave Martinez accomplished with his team last season, leading them to their first ever NL pennant and first World Series Championship. Now, it looks like Martinez may be staying in our nation’s capital long-term.
Indeed, it sounds like the two sides have been talking about a contract extension, and for those who want Martinez to stay, there’s good news on that front:
Mike Rizzo says the Nationals have had discussions with Dave Martinez’s agent about a contract and he’s optimistic it will happen. Rizzo is on the record saying he wants a new deal and not just a picked up option for 2021.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 13, 2020
The Nationals need some continuity
It’s already hard to put too much stock in this 2020 season, with all the circumstances surrounding it. But the Nationals have been without Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross this year, who opted out of the season, and have seen injuries to key players such as Stephen Strasburg, Starlin Castro, and others. Throw in subpar seasons from a few key contributors, and many fans won’t hold what’s happened in 2020 against Martinez.
Besides the fact that he led this long-suffering franchise to a championship, having Martinez in the dugout long-term would bring some much-needed continuity, as he is the seventh different manager that the team has had since moving to D.C. in 2005:
- Frank Robinson (2005-2006)
- Manny Acta (2007-2009)
- Jim Riggleman (2009-2011)
- Davey Johnson (2011-2013)
- Matt Williams (2014-2015)
- Dusty Baker (2016-2017)
- Dave Martinez (2018-now)
Martinez was regarded as manager material long before he arrived in Washington, and he’s the only manager that has gotten his team out of the first round of the playoffs, much less led them to a title. It would be nice to see the two sides come to an agreement; hopefully it will happen soon.