Tag Archives: Dave Martinez

Gerardo Parra Named New First-Base Coach for Washington Nationals

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Gerardo Parra has landed his first Major League Baseball coaching job.

The 36-year-old Venezuelan former professional baseball outfielder will be the new first-base coach for the Washington Nationals as part of a series of changes to manager Dave Martinez‘s staff announced by the club on Friday after a fourth consecutive last-place finish in the NL East.

Gerardo ParraParra played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals, as well for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Parra is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and won the 2019 World Series as a member of the Nationals.

Miguel Cairo will be Martinez’s bench coach and Ricky Gutierrez is shifting to third-base coach after holding the title of run prevention coordinator in 2023. Chris Johnson was hired as assistant hitting coach.

Holdovers include hitting coach Darnell Coles, pitching coach Jim Hickey, catching and strategy coach Henry Blanco and bullpen coach Ricky Bones.

This is Parra’s first job on an MLB coaching staff. After retiring in 2021, he started working in the Nationals’ front office in 2022. Parra played in the majors for 12 years and signed with Washington in 2019 as a backup outfielder. His choice of “Baby Shark” as his walkup music — a nod to his 2-year-old daughter — became a rallying cry for fans and players while the club won its first championship that season.

Cairo, also a former player, was the minor league infield coordinator for the New York Mets last season. Before that, he was the bench coach for the Chicago White Sox for two seasons.

Coles, Hickey, Blanco and Bones head into their third season in these roles with Washington.

The Nationals did not renew the contracts of bench coach Tim Bogar, third-base coach Gary DiSarcina, first-base coach Eric Young Jr. and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler.

The Nationals went 71-91 in 2023 as general manager Mike Rizzo continues to try to remake their roster. In the National League, only the Colorado Rockies finished with a worse record this year.

Rizzo and Martinez both got new contracts during the season.

Rizzo has been the team’s GM since 2007. He hired Martinez for his first managerial job before the 2018 season.

Washington Nationals Star Juan Soto Hits 100th Career Home Run

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He’s only 23, but Juan Soto has already joined elite Major League Baseball company…

On Tuesday night, the Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals hit home run No. 100 at just 23 years old.

Juan Soto“It means a lot,” Soto said following the Nationals’ 16-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. “It’s just a number that not many players get to, and it feels an honor to be there.”

Soto rocked an 89.5 mph cutter from Braves right-hander Bryce Elder a Statcast-projected 451 feet to right-center field at 112.5 mph.

The milestone dinger was the fourth-longest of his career.

“For me, it’s just a blessing,” Soto said. “It just comes to me. I never tried to hit a homer, or anything like that. I’m one of the guys who just tries to hit singles every day. So for me to become consistent hitting homers, it’s just impressive and it tells how good I’ve been working on my body and everything.”

At 23 years and 169 days, Soto is just the seventh active player to belt 100 homers at age 23 and younger, per Elias Sports Bureau.

He joined Miguel Cabrera (23 years, 127 days), Bryce Harper (23 years, 181 days), Ronald Acuña Jr. (23 years, 184 days), Albert Pujols (23 years, 185 days), Giancarlo Stanton (23 years, 221 days) and Mike Trout (23 years, 253 days).

Soto first homered in 2018, his age-19 season.

“It’s awesome,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s so young, and for him to get his 100th home run at this early stage in his career, he’s going to hit a lot more. I’m happy for him. He swung the bat well today, he really did.”

The milestone home run adds to Soto’s success against the team’s National League East rival. He has hit 14 dingers against the Braves in 58 games, second to only his offensive production vs. the Philadelphia Phillies (17 home runs in 60 games). He also increased his Truist Park homer total to nine, third most at any opposing stadium behind Citizens Bank Park (12) and Citi Field (10).

Dave Martinez Reportedly Agrees to Three-Year Contract Extension with Washington Nationals

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Dave Martinez is extending his stay in the The District…

The Washington Nationals and the 56-year-old former Major League Baseball outfielder and current manager/coach have agreed to a three-year extension, according to ESPN.

Dave Martinez

The deal is worth $7.5 million, according to USA Today.

Martinez had an option on his contract for next season, but this deal would replace that and keep the manager with the reigning World Series champs through the 2023 season.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who signed his own new contract this season, stated that re-signing Martinez was a priority for him.

Victor Robles Homers in Return to Washington Nationals’ Lineup

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Victor Robles has smashed his way back into the game…

The 22-year-old Dominican professional baseball outfielder made an immediate impact in his return to the Washington Nationals‘ lineup.

Victor Robles

After missing five games with a hamstring injury, Robles homered, singled and scored twice on Monday night as his team took a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“A lot of times when you have an injury like I have, it’s usually a couple of months to come back from, and I was able to turn around and come back in a little over a week and a half, so I thank [God] for the opportunity and enjoy this moment with the crowd,” Robles said after the game.

Robles made manager Dave Martinez look like a genius for plugging him right back into center field despite Michael A. Taylor‘s homer in Game 2.

It wasn’t a debate for Martinez, who said Sunday that Robles would “get a chance to play” over Taylor when 100% healthy. Robles took swings in the batting cage and made it an easy decision.

His swings against Cardinals pitching looked even better. Robles, batting eighth, lined a base hit up the middle off starter Jack Flahertyin the third inning and crushed reliever John Brebbia‘s 2-1 fastball over the fence in right-center in the sixth. When crossing home plate, Robles tipped his helmet to his mother, who had never seen him play in the states before Monday.

“You know I felt excited, I felt my mom’s strength there, you know I was fortunate enough to hit a home run in her presence, so I wanted to make sure I recognized that and show her some love,” Robles said of the gesture.

Robles finished the game 2-for-4. He hit .255 with 17 home runs, 65 RBIs and 28 stolen bases during his first full season in the majors. He had last played in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Asdrubal Cabrera Returning to the Washington Nationals

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Asdrubal Cabrera is preparing for more National(s)exposure…

The 33-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball switch-hitting infielder has a greed to a one-year contract for a second stint with the Washington Nationals, and manager Dave Martinez told him to be ready for multiple roles.

Asdrubal Cabrera

Cabrera was released Saturday by theTexas Rangers as they turned to youth. He batted .235 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles and 51 RBIs in 93 games, drawing 38 walks.

“I was caught by surprise. I didn’t expect it,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera, who played all of his games at third base this season, joined his new team before the middle game of a series with the San Francisco Giants. He appeared in 49 games for Washington in 2014 after being acquired from the Cleveland Indiansat the trade deadline.

“I’m very thankful to the Nationals. They gave me an opportunity to return to the team,” Cabrera said. “It’s a new challenge for me, I know this organization. … I’m going to come off the bench. I’ll hit for the pitcher, I’ll play different positions. I’ll be playing around the whole infield.”

That means taking ground balls at first, where he might just get some use.

Martinez appreciates having Cabrera’s power bat available off the bench.

“He hits the ball all over. It was a great addition for us,” Martinez said. “I told him, ‘Just be ready, you could play everywhere, come in, double-switch and help us in many ways.'”

The Nationals optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Double-A Harrisburgand designated right-hander Kyle Barraclough for assignment.

Ibañez Among Finalists for Tampa Bay Rays’ Manager Role

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Raúl Ibañez may soon be taking on a new role in baseball…

The 42-year-old Cuban-American professional baseball right fielder and designated hitter is among the finalists to replace Joe Maddon as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Raúl Ibañez

Ibañez, a Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star in 2009, is up against Kevin Cash and Don Wakamatsu for the role.

Dave Martinez, the Rays’ bench coach for the past seven seasons, was among seven candidates dropped Friday. Also cut were Barry Larkin, Doug Glanville, Manny Acta, Craig Counsell, Charlie Montoyo and Ron Wotus.

Tampa Bay said interviews with the finalists will be scheduled for the week of December 1. Maddon left the Rays after nine seasons to manage the Chicago Cubs.

“The decision on Dave Martinez was especially difficult,” Rays president of baseball operations Matt Silverman said in a statement. “He’s played a key role in our organization’s evolution, and he’s done all he can to put himself in position to be a manager. In the end, we determined that our clubhouse would best benefit from a new voice that will add to our already strong and cohesive culture.”

Ibañez has spent 19 seasons in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels and has 305 homers and 2,034 hits. He helped the Royals win this year’s AL pennant.

Renteria Reportedly Set to Become New Chicago Cubs Manager

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Rick Renteria is readying for Cub duty…

The 51-year-old Mexican American baseball coach, currently serving as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres, will soon be serving as the new manager for the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN.com sources.

Rick Renteria

Renteria has been the bench coach for the Padres since 2011 after becoming a major league coach in 2008. He played infield for parts of five major league seasons after being drafted 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1980.

Renteria, who retired as a player in 1996 while with the Mexico City Reds, beat out A.J. Hinch, Manny Acta, Dave Martinez and Eric Wedge for the job. A fifth candidate, Brad Ausmus, was hired by the Detroit Tigers earlier in the week.

Renteria is known as a hands-on teacher and a strong communicator. His ability to speak Spanish is believed to be a plus for the Cubs. Sources familiar with the process say the team was intent on hiring a Latin-American manager and/or coaches, something lacking on the previous coaching staff.

Chicago has several key players of Latin-American descent, including shortstop Starlin Castro, who regressed under former manager Dale Sveum.

“In order for us to win with this group — and win consistently — we must have the best possible environment for young players to learn, develop and thrive at the major league level,” said team representatives after Sveum was fired.