It is a busy time in Baseball as Spring Training continues alongside the popularity of the World Baseball Classic. Team USA is onto the quarterfinals amid very strong TV ratings.

(04:30) The Nats just signed veteran starter Zack Littell, who surprisingly was available into March. The 30-year-old has a 3.88 career ERA and will immediately fit into the starting rotation, which has more experience than previously expected. Washington also inked Foster Griffin and Miles Mikolas after camp began in Florida.

(15:00) Will Jake Irvin be in the rotation?

(18:15) Cade Cavalli this week was given the ball for Opening Day on March 26th at Wrigley Field. Cavalli missed mutiple seasons due to injury, but made ten starts to close out 2025.

(24:15) What is Josiah Gray's timeline? He hasn't pitched in the majors since April 2024.

(29:25) The Nationals have a new TV situation for this season and we help explain the steps to get all set as a viewer (best we can).

(43:40) A heartfelt goodbye to the "Secret Weapon" AKA Paolo Espino, who took the mound for the final time this month for Team Panama in the WBC. Espino will always be part of Nats Chat lore due to his performance in the 2021 season.

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The Nats will be in Wrigley Field in under three weeks, but before then the sport is focused on Spring Training & the World Baseball Classic. Al & Mark begin with looking at how the new Front Office has made its impact on the club while down in Florida thus far.

(09:00) Jacob Young is dealing with a wrist contusion and has been out of the lineup for an extended time.

(22:20) Harry Ford, the catcher who the Nationals acquired from Seattle in exchange for Jose A. Ferrer, is playing for Great Britain in the WBC. Ford is expected to play a lot in Washington this season, but will any highly rated prospect join him in the Bigs?

(34:30) Initial thoughts on Foster Griffin, who will likely be in the starting rotation.

**Audio courtesy of 106.7 The Fan

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The Nats have had a strong start to exhibition play in Florida; for whatever that is worth. Mark & Al begin with James Wood seeing a lot of action in RF so far this Spring Training. Wood has a lot of CF experience in the minors and LF duty in the majors, but has not found a permanent spot in the outfield. There is also conjecture that Wood could switch to 1B within the next few seasons.

(14:30) Brady House homered twice in the Spring Training opener vs. Miami. House struggled mightily in his rookie season at the plate, but this will be his first Opening Day in the Big Leagues at 3B.

(21:40) The annual February focus on improved base running.

(26:25) The Nationals did not seem to sign a collection of veterans that could be flipped at the Trade Deadline unlike previous seasons.

(35:10) Is there another signing on its way or only if there is an injury?

(37:30) Mark relayed questions to Manager Blake Butera that were contributed from subscribers at natsjournal.com

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Grapefruit League play is just days away. Mark (From West Palm) & Al open with Dylan Crews, who is looking to bounce back after an injury filled rookie season. Crews showed signs of power last year with 10 homers, but his average was barely over the "Mendoza Line".

(10:10) Blake Butera was singing the praises of CJ Abrams and expects him to return to All-Star form. The hosts also dive into the notion of him not returning to the trade market until this summer despite many expecting Abramsto be dealt at the same time as MacKenzie Gore.

(19:00) The new manager made mention that Cade Cavalli has been standing out so far this spring. Cavalli returned to the Washington mound last August for the first time in three years due to injuries and made ten starts in the process.

(27:40) Catching up on recent additions to the bullpen on minor league deals.

(34:45) What is Luis Garcia Jr.'s primary position? Is it 2B or 1B?

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"Pitchers & Catchers" (and a lot more) have reported to West Palm Beach to begin the 2026 Nationals campaign. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al discuss the initial impressions of a camp run by Paul Toboni & Blake Butera. Hear what the reaction has been to the upgrade in technology and infrastructure behind the scenes.

(14:00) Washington signed veteran starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a one-year deal around $2M. Mikolas has not had a ERA below 4.00 since 2022, but consistently starts over 30 games a year.

(18:30) An early look at the potential starting rotation and if Cade Cavalli will take the mound on Opening Day.

(22:40) Almost all position players have already reported to Florida, including James Wood.

(31:15) This is a critical season for Dylan Crews, who is aiming to take on a larger leadership role in the clubhouse.

(34:00) Updates on Travis Sykora & Jarlin Susana, who are out for the season, but are participating in Big League Camp.

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Just one day after making his first big move as Nationals President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni joins the podcast for a wide ranging conversation. Mark & Al begin by asking him about trading MacKenzie Gore to Texas in exchange for five prospects. The discussion then touches upon Free Agency, 1B, building a bullpen, CJ Abrams' future, working with ownership, and more. Stay tuned after the 25 minute interview to hear the hosts give their thoughts on the Gore deal and other observations from interviewing Toboni.

(01:00) Gore traded to Texas

(08:00) Competitive timeline

(14:30) Approach in Free Agency

(15:20) 1B Situation

(18:35) CJ Abrams' future

(20:00) Bullpen construction

(22:40) Did you run the Gore trade past ownership?

(25:30) Extended post interview reaction from Al & Mark

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