Nationals make changes after sweep to Red Sox

The Washington Nationals have decided to make some signifiant changes to their organization.

The Nats on Sunday announced that they have fired both manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. The news was announced following the team’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox that completed a 3-game sweep.

“On behalf of our family and the Washington Nationals organization, I first and foremost want to thank Mike and Davey for their contributions to our franchise and our city,” owner Mark Lerner said in a statement. “Our family is eternally grateful for their years of dedication to the organization, including their roles in bringing a World Series trophy to Washington, D.C. While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. This is a pivotal time for our Club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”

Martinez had been the Nationals’ manager since 2018. He led the team to the World Series in 2019, but the Nats quickly tore things down and got rid of players like Juan Soto, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, who were part of their strong core. They haven’t had a winning season since then, and they’re on pace to finish last in the NL East for the fifth time in six years. Despite all that, the Nats had given 2-year contract extensions to Martinez and Rizzo in 2023. Now both are out. Rizzo had been with the Nats even longer. He had been with the team since 2007, first as an assistant general manager, then as general manager, and since 2013 as GM and president of baseball operations.

Martinez had received some criticism last month after throwing his players under the bus. It’s clear the Nats felt it was time for a change.