The Washington Nationals officially hired Blake Butera as their new manager, marking a bold departure from traditional baseball hiring. At 33, Butera becomes the youngest MLB manager in 50 years, jumping from Low-A ball with a unique background in player development from the Tampa Bay Rays organization. This unconventional hire signals a complete organizational shift under new President Paul Toboni, emphasizing analytics, player development, and outside-the-box thinking. While expectations should remain measured given Butera's inexperience at the major league level, his coaching pedigree and development expertise could revolutionize how rebuilding teams approach the managerial position. The episode explores why this hire feels ahead of its time, the critical need for experienced coaches on Butera's staff, and how communication with veteran players will prove essential to success in this new era of Nationals baseball.

0:00 Intro

0:30 Blake Butera officially hired as manager

2:02 Expectations for a totally new operation

4:36 Player development background makes this unique

7:09 Timeline may be longer than expected

10:14 Outside the box thinking ahead

13:22 This hire could change baseball forever

16:56 The importance of people and character

23:32 Communication will be key to success

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*EPISODE RECORDED BEFORE HIRING BLAKE BUTERA.... CURRENTLY AT THE DENTIST*

Ryan Clary examines whether new GM Paul Toboni would have selected Eli Willits first overall in the 2025 MLB Draft. He breaks down Willits' defensive prowess, switch-hitting ability, and development potential, arguing the pick aligns with Toboni's scouting philosophy favoring high-ceiling high school shortstops. The episode explores critical Rule 5 Draft decisions facing the Nationals, particularly protecting left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett, who's dominating the Arizona Fall League after Tommy John recovery. Clary also discusses outfield prospect Christian Franklin's uncertain roster status and the surprising managerial interview with Portland Sea Dogs' Chad Epperson, suggesting it reflects Toboni's character-driven approach to building the organization.

1:40 Why Eli Willits was the right pick

4:12 Paul Toboni's drafting philosophy and player types

7:15 Eli Willits' power potential and development upside

10:21 How Toboni will handle Willits' development path

12:54 Jake Bennett must be protected from Rule 5

16:29 Bennett's dominance in Arizona Fall League

19:01 Christian Franklin's Rule 5 eligibility dilemma

23:07 Nationals interview Double A manager Chad Epperson

25:39 Outside the box approach to managerial search

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The Washington Nationals make a bold, unconventional move by hiring 33-year-old Blake Butera as their next manager—the youngest MLB skipper in over 50 years. Butera comes from Tampa Bay's player development system, where he compiled a 258-144 record as a Double-A manager while serving as senior director of minor league player development. Host Ryan Clary breaks down why this stunning hire makes perfect sense for a rebuilding franchise prioritizing analytics, coaching, and cultural transformation. The move signals ownership's commitment to modernizing the organization, pairing Butera with President Paul Toboni to create alignment between front office and dugout. Clary explores the risks and rewards of skipping traditional steps, emphasizing Butera's fluency in advanced metrics and proven ability to develop young talent—exactly what Washington's emerging core needs as they build toward contention.

0:00 Intro

0:30 Nationals hire 33-year-old Blake Butera as manager

2:02 Why this surprising hire wasn't on anyone's radar

4:04 Youngest MLB manager in over 50 years

6:39 Butera's player development background with Tampa Bay

9:12 Why this hire works for the Nationals' rebuild

12:16 Butera's impressive minor league managerial record

15:20 Taboni and Butera share similar analytical backgrounds

18:24 Addressing coaching mistakes from the Martinez era

21:27 Nationals need experienced bench coach to support Butera

24:31 Brandon Hyde as potential bench coach candidate

26:02 Skipping steps to get future star manager now

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Ryan Clary breaks down the Washington Nationals' managerial search as Miguel Cairo exits the running and the coaching staff faces a complete overhaul. With hitting coach Darnell Coles and pitching coach Jim Hickey likely departing, the organization signals a fresh start under Paul Taboni's leadership. The episode explores two intriguing candidates: Rocco Baldelli, the former Twins manager who won 101 games in his debut season, and Danny Lehmann, the Dodgers' bench coach fresh off a World Series run. Clary offers a nuanced defense of Brandon Hyde, still in contention despite fan skepticism, arguing his experience navigating Baltimore's rebuild mirrors Washington's current trajectory. The discussion challenges easy narratives about coaching failures while examining what truly drives player development and organizational culture during a rebuild.

0:07 Miguel Cairo Out of Managerial Search

1:39 Coaching Staff Changes: Coles and Hickey

4:43 Were Coaches Really the Problem?

7:47 Sean Doolittle's Uncertain Future with Team

11:53 Nationals Show Interest in Baldelli and Layman

16:31 Danny Lehmann: Rising Star from Dodgers

21:38 Brandon Hyde: Underrated Managerial Candidate

25:44 Hyde's Rebuild Experience with the Orioles

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Ryan Clary tackles the Washington Nationals' biggest offseason dilemma: what to do with underperforming catcher Keibert Ruiz. Despite being under contract through 2030, Ruiz's defensive struggles and offensive regression make him a liability worth cutting loose. Clary argues the $40 million remaining shouldn't hold the team back from upgrading. He also makes a compelling case for Nasim Nunez as Paul Toboni's biggest beneficiary—a defensively elite shortstop with 30-steal potential who could be the Nationals' hidden gem. The episode wraps with a spirited takedown of Bryce Harper's recent comments about trade speculation during his Nationals tenure, with Clary calling out the inaccuracy of Harper's claims and reminding everyone who actually won a championship.

0:00 Intro

0:35 Bryce Harper is annoying

2:06 Keibert Ruiz's biggest offseason question

4:07 Ruiz's defensive struggles and regression

7:12 The contract isn't sinking the team

10:17 Ruiz's bad metrics across the board

13:22 Nasim Nunez could benefit the most from Toboni

16:27 Nunez's elite defense and base running

19:31 Nunez as the Ha-Seong Kim alternative

22:36 Bryce Harper's false trade talk claims

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The Athletic tied the Washington Nationals as one of the teams that could BEST FIT defensive stud Ha-Seong Kim. Ryan discusses why this could be the difference making move the Nats NEED to make as he solves multiple issues with this team. This move could also lead to a major shakeup in the infield, and the player in question would be Luis Garcia Jr. Could the Nats seek a trade, or even possibly something else with the inconsistent 2B? Stephen Strasburg has come back into the spotlight and has taken a coaching role in baseball... Not with the Washington Nationals.

0:00- Nats Interest In Ha-Seong Kim

11:15- Nats Looking To Move Off Luis Garcia Jr?

21:00- Stephen Strasburg Is BACK In Baseball

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Ryan Clary, host of Locked On Nationals, dives into the team's managerial search, focusing on former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde as a top candidate as he was just interviewed for the job. Clary analyzes Hyde's track record in rebuilding the Orioles and his player-friendly approach. The podcast explores the Nationals' apparent preference for analytically-minded managers, as evidenced by their interest in Craig Albernaz. Clary also discusses the team's recent front office moves, including hiring Justin Horowitz as assistant GM from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He highlights Horowitz's success in amateur scouting and draft picks, viewing it as a positive step towards improving the Nationals' player development system and building a competitive farm system.

Follow Ryan Clary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryanclary11

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0:00 Intro: Nationals managerial search heats up

5:14 Brandon Hyde's success with Orioles rebuild

10:49 Nationals may have tipped their hand

15:56 Analytics-driven candidates for manager position

20:32 Nationals make splash with front office hire

25:38 Focus on rebuilding farm system from bottom up

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World Series Showdown: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays - Who Will Reign Supreme?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in an unexpected World Series matchup. Can the Blue Jays' complete team challenge the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup? Key discussions include team strengths, payroll disparities, and the impact of high-spending franchises on MLB. The hosts analyze starting pitching, bullpen strategies, and offer bold predictions for the series outcome. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. take center stage as potential game-changers.

Tune in for expert insights on this thrilling World Series clash and the broader issues shaping the future of baseball.

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