The Washington Nationals agreed to a multiyear extension with general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo, the club announced Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Rizzo, 62, has been with Washington since 2006 when the Lerner family made him the team’s first hire.
- His extension comes after the club signed manager Davey Martinez to a two-year contract extension last month. At the time, The Athletic reported Rizzo was close to a new deal.
- Details of Rizzo’s extension were not disclosed by the Nationals.
What they’re saying
“I love being part of the Washington Nationals organization,” Rizzo said in a statement “Nearly 17 years ago, Ted Lerner and his family asked me to help build the Nats into a winning team. …It has been a pleasure to work alongside ownership as we put the pieces together for our initial team build-up and run.
“Now, we believe we are developing the next generation of contenders and champions. We deeply believe in our process and in our progress.”
Backstory
Rizzo, through trades and the draft, is trying to return the Nationals to a position of prominence. Outfielder Dylan Crews, the second pick in the most recent amateur draft, already has reached Double A and is the No. 6 prospect in the sport, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law. Outfielder James Wood, acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade, is No. 20. Third baseman Brady House, the 11th selection in 2021, is No. 30.
The Lerner family, led by managing principal owner Mark Lerner, began exploring selling the Nationals in April 2022. A group led by Washington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics owner Ted Leonsis is considered the front-runner to buy the team.
The Nationals are in the third year of their rebuild. Washington is 65-80 and sits fifth in the National League East. The club has gone 3-7 during the month of September.
Under Rizzo’s leadership, the team has captured four NL East championships, five postseason berths and the 2019 World Series title. Washington promoted Rizzo to his current role in August 2013. He moved from assistant general manager to GM/senior vice president in August 2009 before becoming GM/executive vice president in October 2010.
Required reading
(Photo: James A. Pittman / USA Today)
