Nationals GM says team has no plans for rebuild

The Washington Nationals are staying the course.

After one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated Wednesday that the team is likely to build around its existing core and intends to keep manager Dave Martinez in the fold.

Will Martinez be back in 2019? “I haven’t considered any other scenario,” Rizzo said.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 5, 2018

Rizzo also suggested their offseason approach will be to add to what they already have, not rebuild. “The core is in place to have a championship club.”

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 5, 2018

There are many wildcards involved here. Rizzo has to be brought back, and assuming that happens, there’s figuring out where Bryce Harper’s future lies. Much as the Nationals want to keep him around, it may not be plausible. Even if he departs, the Nationals can build around Max Scherzer, Juan Soto, and Trea Turner at the very least, but from there, it will be figuring out how to build around that talent, particularly with regard to the pitching staff.