Fan Arrested on Assault Charge After Altercation With Nationals Usher Caught on Video
Sep 28, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: A view of a Washington Nationals baseball cap in the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Nationals Park on September 01, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A fan was charged with simple assault following an altercation with an usher at Nationals Park on Tuesday, according to TMZ Sports.
A fan shared a video of a man arguing with an usher in an aisle of the stadium. Another stadium employee arrives to escort the man away. After walking up a few steps, the man stops and thrusts his arm into the usher's face.
Per TMZ Sports, the usher was bleeding from his right hand as a result of the skirmish but declined to receive any additional medical treatment after being looked at.
Neither local police nor the Nationals provided a comment on the matter. It's also unknown whether the team has levied any punishment against the man.
Earlier this season, the organization banned two fans from Nationals Park for five years after they made inappropriate comments toward Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.
Washington suffered an 8-2 defeat to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday to fall to 53-101 on the season. Atlanta scored eight unanswered runs following an RBI double by Luke Voit and a solo home run by Victor Robles, which gave the Nats a 2-0 lead by the second inning.
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz Placed on IL Because of Testicular Contusion
Sep 9, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Keibert Ruiz #20 of the Washington Nationals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 04, 2022 in New York City. The Nationals defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a testicular contusion, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN.
Ruiz suffered the injury in Thursday's 11-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals when he took a foul ball to the groin.
Ruiz remained in the game until the sixth inning before he was removed and taken to the hospital with swollen testicles. He was replaced by backup catcher Riley Adams.
Ruiz is in his first full season with the Nationals. He was one of the prospects traded to Washington last season in the deal that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 24-year-old is in the midst of a solid season, slashing .251/.313/.360 with seven home runs, 36 RBI and six stolen bases in 112 games. It's the most games he has ever played in a major league season.
He appeared in just eight games for the Dodgers in 2020 and 2021 before being traded.
To replace Ruiz, the Nationals purchased the contract of Israel Pineda from Triple-A Rochester. However, they didn't necessarily need to do that with both Adams and Tres Barrera on the roster.
The Nationals are currently fifth in the NL East with a 49-89 record and are set to miss the playoffs for the third straight season since winning the World Series in 2019.
Juan Soto Won't Play for Padres vs. Guardians With Back Injury
Aug 24, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 07: Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres reacts to his foul against ththe Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto is out for Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians because of left-mid back tightness, the team told reporters.
Soto was acquired by San Diego at the 2022 MLB trade deadline in a blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals. The Padres also landed veteran first baseman Josh Bell and sent a substantial haul of prospects to Washington to complete the deal.
The runner-up for National League MVP in 2021, Soto has put together a solid season after a slow start. The 23-year-old is batting .252 with 23 home runs and 50 RBI overall this season, recording a .286 batting average in 18 games with San Diego.
Soto is one of the brightest young stars in MLB. He hasn't hit under .280 in any of his previous four seasons in the majors. He was also a key member of Washington's 2019 World Series win after posting 34 homers while driving in 110 runs.
After landing with the Padres, Soto is now part of a "Big 3" alongside star third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. However, Tatis was suspended for 80 games last week after violating MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy.
While Soto is out, utility outfielder Wil Myers will see more time in the lineup. At 68-56, San Diego is mathematically tied with the Philadelphia Phillies (67-55) for the second Wild Card spot in the NL entering Tuesday. The Padres are hoping to have Soto back soon to keep pace in the playoff hunt.
2 Fans Banned by Nationals for 5 Years After Incident with Cubs' Willson Contreras
Aug 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cubs defeated the Phillies 6-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Washington Nationals banned two fans from Nationals Park for five years after making inappropriate comments toward Chicago Cubs star Willson Contreras, according to the Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro.
Following his team's 7-5 win over the Nationals on Tuesday, Contreras referenced an incident in which heckling by Nationals fans crossed the line:
Willson Contreras: “I’m not going to say it right now, but what he said, he got under my skin. Even though he was a Latino guy, and you’re speaking the same language, I know what he means. If somebody tried to mess up my family, they’re going to (have to go through) me first.”
Per Montemurro, the exchange came in the 10th inning. Contreras hit a sacrifice fly and began talking to one fan on his way back to the dugout. The report noted at least one fan was escorted away from their seat by security.
This comes two weeks after Kansas City Royals reliever Amir Garrett tossed his drink toward a fan behind the team's dugout during a game against the Chicago White Sox.
"Listen the disrespect is insane in these parks," Garrett wrote on Twitter in the immediate aftermath. "I really wish I could go to someone’s work and run my mouth. These are grown men talking slick. How miserable do you have to be with your own life?"
The southpaw subsequently apologized and received a three-game suspension, which is under appeal.
Contreras was rested for Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, with Yan Gomes getting the start at catcher.
The three-time All-Star has appeared in 98 games, batting .247 and slugging .455 with 17 home runs and 46 RBI.
Nationals' Mike Rizzo Recounts 'Brutal' Process of Trading Juan Soto to Padres
Aug 3, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) salutes as he walks too the plate for his first at-bat against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on Wednesday addressed the trade of Juan Soto, calling it a "brutal" and "emotional" moment for the franchise.
"Brutal scene. It was very, very difficult," Rizzo told The Sports Junkies. "I had kept Juan and Josh in the loop on where we were at during the trade talks and that type of thing, because I think it's only right to inform them, because they're reading all the stuff that's out there and that type of thing."
The Nationals traded Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres for MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, James Wood, Jarlin Susana and Luke Voit ahead of Tuesday's MLB trade deadline. The move was an about-face for Rizzo, who previously said the organization had no plans to trade the 23-year-old two-time All-Star.
Rizzo said the team's outlook changed when Soto rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension. While most observers feel the Nationals received a historic haul from the Padres, Rizzo called his meeting with Soto to inform him of the trade an "emotional time."
"Yeah, it was a warm farewell and it was very emotional," Rizzo said. "I told him I loved him and he'll always be a part of my history and my family, and go on and have the career that we all think you're gonna have. And that was it. Yeah. We signed him at 16-and-a-half years old. I had known him since he was 14. It was...yeah, it's a very emotional time."
Washington signed Soto in 2015. Early this year, Elian Soto, Juan's younger brother, verbally agreed to sign with the team when he becomes eligible in January.
So while the divorce between Juan Soto and the Nationals was one few saw coming before the 2022 season, the two sides also apparently have no hard feelings.
Juan Soto Thanks Nationals, Fans After Blockbuster Deadline Trade to Padres
Aug 3, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) was all smiles after he hit a solo homer off of New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Superstar outfielder Juan Soto tweeted a message of thanks to the Washington Nationals and their fans early Wednesday morning following his pre-deadline trade to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
In a series of tweets, Soto expressed gratitude for the Nats organization and the fans who supported him, while also mentioning the importance of helping Washington win its first World Series title in 2019:
Thank you to the Nationals organization for the opportunity to realize a childhood dream. I am forever grateful to my teammates and coaches, as well as the player development and training staffs. pic.twitter.com/msrTSv48a1
To my Nats Fans: since day one I’ve always had the feeling you would have a special space in my heart but the appreciation that I have for you went over my expectations. Thank you for being such a great family to me. With Love & Gratitude...Forever Yours, Juan Soto
After Soto reportedly rejected multiple contract extension offers, the Nationals made him available via trade leading up to the deadline, and they sealed a blockbuster deal on Tuesday.
All told, the Nationals received a bevy of prospects and young players in shortstop C.J. Abrams, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Wood, and pitchers MacKenzie Gore and Jarlin Susana, as well as veteran first baseman Luke Voit in exchange for Soto and first baseman Josh Bell.
While the Nationals had to part ways with one of the game's great young stars in the 23-year-old Soto, their rebuild received a major jump-start in the form of multiple players who can contribute now and in the near future.
During at least parts of five seasons with the Nats, Soto left an indelible mark on the franchise.
He earned two All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger awards, one batting title and won a World Series in 2019. Also, in one of his final appearances in a Nationals uniform, he won the 2022 Home Run Derby.
In 2018, Soto came out firing and finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He followed that with a career-high 34 home runs and 110 RBI the next season en route to winning the World Series.
In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Soto won the batting title with a .351 average and led the NL with a .490 on-base percentage and .695 slugging percentage.
Last season, Soto finished second in the NL MVP voting when he slashed .313/.465/.534 with 29 homers and 95 RBI.
He got off to a slow start this season, but he has turned things around over the past month and is slashing .246/.408/.485 with 21 home runs and 46 RBI.
Despite his solid play, the Nationals are just 36-69 this season and seem in line for a long rebuild, which is partially why the Soto trade made sense despite the fact that he could have been the face of the franchise for years had he signed a new deal.
The trade instantly changes Soto's outlook as well since he is headed to a Padres team in the thick of the playoff race with a 60-46 record.
Soto will join a stacked lineup that will eventually include Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., the latter of whom is working his way back from a wrist injury.
The Padres have the pieces to be contenders in 2022 and beyond, and Soto could turn out to be the player who helps them win their first World Series in franchise history.
MLB Twitter Bashes Mike Rizzo, Nationals for Trade Package for Juan Soto, Josh Bell
Aug 2, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) was all smiles after he hit a solo homer off of New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres pulled it off.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Padres are acquiring Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals.
The package going back to Washington for Juan Soto and Josh Bell, sources tell ESPN:
- LHP MacKenzie Gore - OF Robert Hassell III - SS C.J. Abrams - OF James Wood - RHP Jarlin Susana - one more major league player
That's the only holdup right now to the agreed-upon deal.
Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Eric Hosmer will be heading to Washington as well.
Depending on whether they re-sign Soto, who's due to be a free agent in 2025, the Pads might have two of MLB's brightest talents for the foreseeable future as he joins Fernando Tatis Jr. Manny Machado is performing at an MVP-type level as well.
San Diego's lineup once Tatis returns is going to be fearsome.
Dodgers: Betts, Turner, Freeman.
Padres: Soto, Tatis Jr., Machado.
If the bars are already open wherever you watch the Giants, go for it, man.
On the other side, the reaction is understandably far different.
Getting a player of equal value to Soto is almost impossible in any scenario. The fact he's under team control for two more years and still only 23 adds to the feeling that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo whiffed.
An absolutely pathetic return for the best player in baseball. And oh yeah, have Josh Bell too! Goodnight.
Mike Rizzo was true to his word in not diluting the trade by attaching a big contract. I'm waiting to find out what the reason he diluted the deal was, though.
MacKenzie Gore and C.J. Abrams were highly touted prospects prior to making their MLB debuts. Robert Hassell III is the No. 1 player in San Diego's farm system in the eyes of MLB.com, and James Wood follows closely behind at No. 3.
Rizzo might wind up having the last laugh because it will be a few years before the full return for Washington becomes clear.
Still, fans are right to question whether continuing to employ a generational talent who's yet to hit his prime was still a better outcome than banking on an incoming crop of young players to guide the organization forward.
Juan Soto, Josh Bell Traded to Padres; Nationals to Get C.J. Abrams, More
Aug 2, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 03: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres acquired star right fielder Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals ahead of MLB's trade deadline Tuesday.
Washington received shortstop C.J. Abrams, pitcher MacKenzie Gore, outfielder Robert Hassell III, outfielder James Wood, pitcher Jarlin Susana and first baseman/DH Luke Voit.
Eric Hosmer, who was reportedly included in the initial deal, did not waive his no-trade clause, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Eric Hosmer rejected the trade to Washington and will not be part of the Soto deal, per source. Now the Padres have less than five hours to figure out what to do with Hosmer, who is owed $39 million from 2023-25.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times had previously reported Hosmer was "not thrilled" about being traded to the Nationals, which meant the Padres would have needed to offer additional incentive to get him to waive his no-trade clause:
Hearing #Padres 1B Eric Hosmer is not thrilled about being traded to #Nationals, so it will likely take a chunk of money or maybe an additional year added to his already onerous 8-year, $144-million deal (3 years, $39 million left, through 2025) to get him to sign off on deal.
With the Nationals experiencing a rather rapid fall following their 2019 World Series triumph, Soto's contract status became the biggest storyline for the team. The two-time All-Star is due to hit free agency in 2025, and he could be the first player in MLB history to sign a $500 million contract.
Washington lost Bryce Harper to free agency and traded Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers before he could hit the open market. Because Soto is so good and so young, the prevailing wisdom was that the Nats simply couldn't let him get away.
That changed on July 16, when The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the 23-year-old was being made available in a trade. Per Rosenthal, Washington took the step after Soto declined a 15-year, $440 million offer.
While that would've been the largest contract ever in MLB in terms of overall value, Soto's $29.3 million salary would've been lower than the average earnings for Mike Trout ($35.5 million), Gerrit Cole ($36 million), Francisco Lindor ($34.1 million), Corey Seager ($32.5 million) and Mookie Betts ($30.4 million) among a few others.
Soto wouldn't have even become the highest-paid player on the Nationals since Stephen Strasburg's seven-year contract pays him $35 million each year through 2026.
Rosenthal's report brought a mix of resignation and indignation in the nation's capital.
Juan Soto should go down as an Alex Ovechkin-like figure in D.C., one of the greatest athletes in the city’s history. You don’t let generational talents like him go.
IMO, Nats are paying the price (literally?) for losing their competitiveness. They have nothing to offer Soto except hope. No stars around him, a shaky pitching staff and big divisional spenders offer no guarantees of wins in the future.
One justification for moving Soto immediately is that the Nationals could at least maximize their return.
The Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox had to accept well below equal value in return for Lindor and Betts, respectively, because they each had only one more year of team control. Soto is guaranteed to be a member of San Diego's roster for at least two-plus seasons, and that extra year can be beneficial in terms of buying more time to hammer out an extension.
This almost represented uncharted territory.
Front offices are already having the conversations: What is it going to take to acquire Juan Soto in the wake of him turning down a 15-year, $440 million contract offer from the Nationals? And the answer is: The biggest trade package ever. “A Herschel Walker deal,” one GM said.
Yet as much as this helps Washington's rebuild, simply re-signing Soto probably would've helped more. It also would've cemented a lot of goodwill with the fans, who have even less reason to continue following the team during such a fallow period.
For San Diego, there almost wasn't a price too high to make this trade happen.
For his career, Soto boasts a .291/.427/.538 slash line along with a .966 OPS and a 158 OPS+, per Baseball Reference. Here are the five players closest in similarity score to Soto through his age-22 season: Mike Trout, Frank Robinson, Bryce Harper, Miguel Cabrera and Mickey Mantle.
Soto tore the cover off the ball as a rookie, slugging .517 and hitting 22 home runs in 2018, and he hasn't stopped since. There's no reason to think that won't continue.
Trout is the prime example of how one player can raise his team's ceiling only so high. This acquisition doesn't single-handedly make the Padres the favorites to win the World Series.
But you can't blame San Diego fans for getting a bit ahead of themselves when they forecast how the franchise will perform with Soto in the fold.
The Padres are potentially looking at having their three best players under contract through at least 2028, too. That assumes Soto re-signs and Manny Machado doesn't opt out of his 10-year, $300 million contract.
For decades, the Padres were arguably one of the most anonymous teams in MLB. They weren't consistent winners, nor were they notable for their futility.
Nate Colbert is the franchise leader in home runs, and Eric Show has more wins than any other pitcher in team history. Only two players have gone into the Hall of Fame with the Padres as their primary team: Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman.
However, San Diego has made a concerted effort to turn its reputation around. Signing Hosmer in 2018 hasn't really worked out, but it signaled a new era in which the Padres would be willing to spend on readymade talent. Machado arrived one year later, and then came Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 14-year, $340 million extension.
Trading for Soto is in line with the approach of general manager A.J. Preller, and it sets up San Diego with potentially having the best young combination of hitters in MLB.
Juan Soto Trade Rumors: Padres Near Deal for Nats Star Amid Dodgers, Cardinals Buzz
Aug 2, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) was all smiles after he hit a solo homer off of New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
It's looking increasingly like Juan Soto has played his last game for the Washington Nationals.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the Padres are "getting close" to acquiring Soto:
The San Diego #Padres are getting close to landing Juan Soto from the Washington #Nationals. The deal is not yet finalized.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com added that the belief is the Padres are gaining momentum for a deal:
Executives around the league believe the momentum for Soto to the Padres is gaining steam. However, let’s not forget the exact same scenario happened last year with San Diego and Max Scherzer. Still, many believe that Soto will be a Padre by the end of the day.
Those reports come after MLB Insider Hector Gomez reported the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals will increase their offers for Soto amid buzz the Padres had emerged as a front-runner.
Soto, who by any measure is one of the five best players in baseball, has become the crown jewel of this trade deadline after contract extension negotiations with the Nationals broke down. Washington reportedly offered a 15-year, $440 million contract, a deal Soto rejected as he attempts to sign perhaps the richest contract in sports history.
The 23-year-old is in the midst of a down season, hitting .246/.408/.485 with 21 home runs and 46 runs batted in. Despite posting by far the worst batting average of his career, Soto remains MLB's most patient hitter and is on pace to hit 30-plus home runs for the first time since 2019.
The Dodgers, Cardinals and Padres all fashion themselves as World Series contenders. San Diego and Los Angeles are no strangers to deadline battles down to the wire, with the Dodgers outbidding the Padres for Max Scherzer at the 2021 deadline.
It's likely the Nationals will take the discussions right down to the 6 p.m. ET deadline, forcing teams to put their best offers on the table as they try to land a generational talent.
The Dodgers have the unlimited financial wherewithal to make Soto a massive long-term contract offer, whereas it's possible the smaller-market Padres and Cardinals view him as a shorter-term difference marker. Soto can become a free agent after the 2024 season.
