This year is again shaping up to be the same old story, with the Nationals repeating the Same Old Tale. With a 37-53 record, they sit firmly in fifth place in the NL East. In the overall MLB standings, they have won more games than the White Sox and the Rockies only. For a franchise just six years after its 2019 World Series triumph, the prolonged struggles are both frustrating and telling.
And now, after years of underperformance and unmet expectations, change has finally arrived. In a move that signals a long-overdue reset, the Nationals have made a bold decision. They parted ways with both General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez. A shakeup from the very top – a clear indication that ownership is ready to chart a new course and breathe fresh life into a team in dire need of direction.
“The Washington Nationals have fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, sources tell ESPN,” MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the story.
BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 6, 2025
Martinez’s stint with the Nationals started with a bang back in 2018. Just in his second year, he led the team to a 93-69 record and a World Series title over the Astros. But since that magical 2019 run, it’s been a journey to the south. The Nats have now missed the playoffs five years in a row and are likely headed for a sixth straight absence this season.
And Rizzo’s involvement with the Nationals goes way back, since 2007. He initially started as an assistant GM before taking over the big chair in 2009. And he meant business since his initial days. The top few deals in the Nationals, notably with Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer, were done during Rizzo’s stint.
However, beyond these blockbuster moves, Rizzo found limited success with overall team management. Just the 2019 World Series and the rest was a dry run all around for the Nationals. Probably that was enough for the Nationals’ ownership to rethink their time with Rizzo.
But the major friction point probably started just a month ago, when Martinez blamed the players for surrendering before the Marlins. “It’s never on coaching,” Martinez remarked last month, pointing out how the players are failing to perform on the field despite the push from the coaches. And maybe that’s the point: Ownership clearly felt it was time for a shakeup.
Now, if the rumors are true, assistant GM Mike DeBartolo will be stepping in as interim GM. But given how the team’s been playing, it feels like the problems run deeper than just the top.
Problems run deeper with the Nationals’ offense
The Nationals’ offense this season has been less than inspiring. Notably, the team is sitting 18th in batting average (.246), 15th in total runs (393), and way down at 21st in home runs (87). While on the surface, those numbers feel mediocre, the issues run much deeper than just a coaching problem.
Slugging in modern baseball thrives by lifting the ball. That’s why we get to see a barrage of home runs this year. But the Nationals? They chose to play on a different note.
They chose to opt for ground balls over fly balls. And that’s getting reflected in their stats. The Nationals’ average launch angle is just 8.4 degrees, which is a cool 2.6 degrees lower than the next-worst team. Do you think a team focusing more on grounders could keep the scoreboard running? Plus, the concerns with the Nationals don’t end here.
Juan Soto, who played 6 seasons with the Nationals, was selected as an All-Star 4 times during that tenure. Still, the team chose to part ways with him. He got traded to the Padres. And then the same happened with Bryce Harper when the team let him go to the Phillies in 2019. And when you can’t retain your MVP-caliber hitters, it’s tough to build a high-octane offense.
The bottom line?
The Nationals’ problems can’t be fixed by swapping out a few top-tier names. Now, the fans need to wait to see if there’s any visible improvement happening with the change in the coaching team. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if 2026 looks a lot like 2025 – poor offense, even poorer stats!
The post Nationals Fire GM Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez Amid Brutal Losing Stretch appeared first on EssentiallySports.
