- 21 hours ago
Paul Toboni joins The Sports Junkies to break down the latest Washington Nationals news.
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00:00What's up, Paul?
00:02What's up, fellas? What's going on?
00:03How's your meeting going with our guy, Jason, that came in the studio yesterday?
00:07Yeah, we met your business counterpart there with the Washington Nationals.
00:10He spent like 45 minutes with us yesterday.
00:12Yeah, and then he said he had a big meeting with you.
00:13Yeah.
00:15Sinoraja, what are you talking about?
00:16Yeah, yeah.
00:17Yeah, nice. Jason's a great dude, so happy you guys got a chance to spend some time with him.
00:23By the way, we're going to have John Shambi on.
00:28Oh, bud.
00:28Yeah, and I told him that we booked him for $9.25 today right after you.
00:33He said, make sure you tell Paul I said what's up.
00:36I didn't know what your background was with him.
00:40Yeah, no, it was funny.
00:42We obviously opened up in Chicago at Wrigley and got a chance to spend some time with him.
00:49Another great dude.
00:50I don't know how well you guys know him, but I think you'll enjoy him being on the show.
00:55We've had him on forever.
00:56Really good dude.
00:57So, last night was interesting.
00:59Yeah, we've got to talk about it.
01:00I mean, Cade was fantastic, but a little dust up there.
01:03I liked how the Washington Post called it.
01:05They said a little meet and greet that lasted about 10 minutes between the teams.
01:09What was kind of your take on what went down between Cavalli, Contreras, and the rest of the team?
01:15Yeah, I think just a couple huge competitors in Wilson and Cade.
01:23Obviously, I think there was some stuff that went down in the New York series.
01:30I think Wilson, you know, I don't know if it's a product of just where the Sox are right now
01:35and if he's trying to spark something with them or what.
01:38But, you know, he's been playing pretty emotionally.
01:42And obviously, the day before with, you know, he hit the home run in the first and kind of let
01:49everyone know about it.
01:51And then Cade, you know, obviously got him and had a couple words for him.
01:57And I think that's just, you know, two competitors going at it and part of what makes the game fun.
02:03When you were playing, okay, before you became management, when you were still a player, were there things that triggered
02:10you?
02:13What were they?
02:13Yeah, did you lose your...
02:14Were there things that triggered you?
02:16Yeah, lose your temper from something you guys would do on the field.
02:18Well, I think, yeah, I think more than anything, you grow so close with your teammates.
02:24You know, if someone on the other team does something to disrespect one of your teammates, that gets you going.
02:31I remember when I was at Cal, we were playing UCLA, and it was those teams with Garrett Cole and
02:36Trevor Bauer and those guys.
02:39And I remember the benches clearing one day, and that's what it was.
02:42Like, we thought that, I think it was Bauer.
02:45Bauer had some choice words for one of my teammates, and bench is clear.
02:49And, you know, I think it's just a...
02:51You spend so much time together.
02:53You know, you want to...
02:55It's clear, I think, implicitly, that you got everyone's backs.
02:58But when you have an opportunity to really show that you have each other's backs, I think you take it
03:03because it's important.
03:05And that stuff plays over the course of the season.
03:07Paul, it seems like Contreras was really trying to stir the pot in the first inning when Cade was walking
03:12off the field and Contreras was running to his dugout.
03:17They basically almost collided.
03:19And, look, that's something that Contreras can control.
03:21He can run around him.
03:23He doesn't have to go right into Cade's path.
03:26When you saw that, were you like, something is going to happen.
03:30Something else is going to happen.
03:30Something is going to happen.
03:31There's something building here.
03:32Could you tell the tension from that little interaction?
03:35You know, I didn't actually see it in the moment.
03:39Obviously heard about it after the fact.
03:42Man, I can't speak for, you know, Wilson's intentions.
03:46Like I said, man, he's a competitive dude and a fiery guy.
03:53I heard what he said after the game, that that wasn't intentional.
03:56And, yeah, you know, I didn't really have any thoughts on it until, obviously, Cade struck him out and then
04:04had those words.
04:05So, yeah, it's just all part of it.
04:08And, like I said, I think it's just a few competitors getting into it in the heat of the moment.
04:13Paul, I know that the media is jumping, especially social media is jumping all over Cade because he used the
04:18word boy.
04:18All right, probably not the best term to use, but even if he said, go sit down, idiot, or go
04:24sit down, a-hole, whatever, whatever he said, Contreras is going to get pissed.
04:29He didn't, you know, professional athletes don't like getting talked down to.
04:33So, it kind of didn't matter what word he used.
04:35He was probably going to come out there anyway.
04:38Yeah, I think Wilson said it after the game.
04:41I'm not even sure he heard what he said fully.
04:44I think it was just the fact that he was yelling at him after he struck him out.
04:50Right, right.
04:51Yeah, you know, I don't know.
04:52Yeah, I obviously can't speak for Cade in the choice of words, but I can't speak for Cade in the
04:59human.
04:59And I've known him for six-plus months now, and he's an amazing guy and leader and all those things.
05:04Cade's a big dude.
05:05He's not going to back down from Contreras.
05:07No, they're both pretty big dudes.
05:08Yeah, they are.
05:09And, yeah, they're put together.
05:12All right, just talk about Cade's performance overall.
05:15I mean, 13 Ks, he one-hit them.
05:17I mean, he was basically unhittable by Boston.
05:20And Boston's been playing really well and hitting the ball great.
05:23You saw what they did in the Yankee series.
05:25So, just talk about Cade's performance last night in Fenway.
05:28Yeah, I think that was his best one to date.
05:31I think that was his best big league start to date.
05:33He was really just pounding the zone, and he had three fastballs working.
05:39And when you have a four-seam riding above barrels, a two-seam getting in on right-handed hitters, and
05:47then a cutter moving away from right-handed hitters in on lefties,
05:51and those are all staying on the same line until whatever it is, about halfway to home plate, it's really
05:57difficult, I think, for a hitter to make a decision.
06:00So, he had that, and, of course, those are at high velocities, too, is forcing this, too.
06:06We're getting up towards 100.
06:08And then he was moving the knuckle curve and the sweeper off of it really effectively and landing him for
06:14strikes.
06:15So, I think after that first inning, he retired, I want to say, 18 in a row.
06:19So, he was really going, and that was really fun to watch.
06:24And it's part of the reason why we had the confidence to name him the opening day starter,
06:29and we think he can be one of the top guys in this league.
06:33I think that was just a glimpse of it, and now it's just about bringing that guy out more consistently.
06:37And Cade going seven gives the bullpen a much-needed breather.
06:40So, I'm sure you're happy to see that, too.
06:42And the bullpen performed well yesterday, too.
06:44Yeah, absolutely.
06:45Like, especially after the day prior, too.
06:49You know, Miles got touched up early, but then he was able to finish seven.
06:54And so, now they've had a couple days to catch their breath.
06:58And so, we've got an off day tomorrow, too.
07:00So, everyone will be available today, and we'll be ready to roll.
07:05So, Paul, we were talking about this earlier in the show, just offensively.
07:09You guys put up eight more.
07:12James Wood had a couple more RBIs.
07:14Garcia's just been scorching.
07:16Scorching.
07:18He didn't have an RBI.
07:19Or, actually, no, he had two last night.
07:20And then, Abrams obviously hit number 18.
07:23You guys have three of the top 28 RBI guys in the league.
07:27Abrams is three.
07:28I think he's got 60.
07:30Garcia's right around 12 or 13 with 57.
07:33Wood, as a leadoff hitter, has 52.
07:35I think he's 28th, but he's a leadoff hitter.
07:37You've got three of the top 28 RBI guys in the league.
07:42Yeah, you know, and it's funny.
07:43I think oftentimes when teams see us coming into town, shoot, the Red Sox just did it
07:50today.
07:50They're bringing a lefty up to their pen.
07:52They're starting three lefties over the course of these three days.
07:55And they think that's how you can kind of beat us, because we've got Woody as a left-handed
07:59hitter, obviously, C.J., Louie, Daylon.
08:01But the reality is, I think we've scored more runs off lefties than anyone else in the league.
08:07So, you know, our mindset is it doesn't matter who you throw out there.
08:11We've got an offense that can really deliver against, you know, any types of pitchers, any
08:16types of mixes.
08:18And we can do it in different ways.
08:20It feels like, man, every night there's a different guy delivering.
08:23So, it's been really fun, and we've just got to keep it rolling.
08:28So, Cruz had a couple more hits last night.
08:30He's up 225.
08:31I think his average has jumped about 40 points in the last, I don't call it, month.
08:38Ruiz, a couple more hits, three RBIs last night.
08:41So, it was just balance from top to bottom.
08:43I wanted to ask you about the Mitchell Parker injury.
08:46And after he got hurt, when he was shaking his hand, you know, you guys sent your trainer
08:52out there.
08:52I could tell it was serious, because you probably saw it.
08:55He was walking off the field with his glove to his mouth.
08:58Remember seeing that?
09:00Yeah.
09:01I could tell it was serious.
09:02He knew exactly what it was, probably.
09:04Yeah.
09:05You know, I think he, I mean, he obviously felt something, which is why the trainer went
09:10out there.
09:11We're still going to get a second opinion on it.
09:14But, yeah, I mean, Mitch is, he's been battling for us, and he's been taking the ball every
09:23time we've asked, and he's a competitor.
09:26And so, you know, I had a conversation with him yesterday.
09:29Like, I think this is a good opportunity to not just use the rehab process, if it is,
09:33in fact, TJ, to come back to who you were, but to take a couple steps forward and use this
09:40time to become an even better version of yourself.
09:43And so, but yeah, I think any time you get that news as a player, it's tough, and now
09:50it's just about, hey, a couple days passing, and taking it all in stride and getting back
09:56to work to be who you think you can be.
09:59Talking to Paul Tabone, president of baseball operations for the Nationals.
10:03So, I was looking at the minor league stats of Brady House, and then something jumped out
10:08at me in Rochester.
10:09Yohandy Morales, can you fill me in on this guy?
10:12He's got 17 home runs, hitting over 300.
10:15Yeah, Yoh-Yoh, man, have followed him dating back to, you know, when he was a high school
10:22kid coming out of Miami.
10:23He obviously went to the University of Miami.
10:26Nationals took him in the second round, and he's always been a really aggressive hitter.
10:32I think it really started to click this offseason.
10:37He's down in Puerto Rico playing winter ball, and he didn't log enough games down there.
10:42I think if he would have, he would have been MVP down there.
10:45His spring training, I think, wasn't the spring training that he wanted, but then he hopped
10:49right into AAA and got right back to it and started mashing.
10:53So, he's been really good.
10:55I was just texting with him the other day to keep at it, and, you know, I think you can
10:59get caught when you're performing that well in AAA, saying, like, man, why am I not getting
11:04a shot?
11:05You know, like, this is weak.
11:06I'm not getting an opportunity.
11:08And to me, the best, the most mature, just take care of business.
11:13And when you do that, the time will come, and you'll be ready to roll.
11:16So, the time's going to come for Yoh-Yoh at some point.
11:19Can't tell you exactly what it is, but we're beyond excited to have him in our system.
11:23Yeah, do you have a log jam at third base?
11:25Because Brady House, of course, goes down.
11:27He's hitting close to 300 there.
11:29He's hit four home runs.
11:31And then Meade, of course, has been fantastic in the majors.
11:34Would you classify that as a log jam at third base?
11:37Yeah, I don't know if I'd call it a log jam.
11:42What I would just say is, like, we got decent depth there and a few guys that can fill in
11:48in those spots.
11:49And knock on wood, we've been pretty healthy, too.
11:52So, like I said, there's going to be times where that's not the case, and we're going
12:00to have to pull from guys down there.
12:03And when we do, Yoh-Yoh will be front of mind, as will Brady and the rest of the group,
12:08just
12:08because they're playing well down there.
12:12So, their job is to continue that.
12:15Our job is to continue to support them.
12:17And when the time comes, they'll be ready to roll.
12:20Paul, the National League Divisional races just about three weeks ago were just, I just
12:24thought, you know, these teams are just going to cruise to win.
12:27But the Braves, they had about a nine-and-a-half game lead about three weeks ago.
12:31It's down to two-and-a-half.
12:32Phillies have been hot.
12:34Braves are just playing like butt.
12:35I think they've lost eight of nine.
12:38By the way, you guys are only seven back in the East.
12:40But for the Brewers, five-and-a-half game lead over the Cubs.
12:43Dodgers run away with the West.
12:45But that NL East is getting tight.
12:47You guys are two-and-a-half back in the wild card.
12:50But how are you feeling about that?
12:51So, like I said a couple weeks ago, I don't think you guys are going away.
12:55We'll see if you guys add anything to the bullpen or starters.
12:58But how are you feeling about that wild card race?
13:00The teams in front of you all won last night, I believe.
13:03But you guys have won three out of four.
13:05And you've got, after this game today, you've got nine games at home before the All-Star break.
13:12Yeah.
13:13Now, obviously, we look at it.
13:15You know what I mean?
13:16But it's not something we talk about daily or even every other day.
13:21It sounds cliche.
13:22It's probably like the patent coach or front office person answer, even player answer.
13:28But we just got to take care of our business.
13:31You know what I mean?
13:31And I think if we do, we'll find ourselves in a decent spot.
13:35So, really, the focus is on us.
13:39And, you know, whatever the Braves do, whatever the Phillies do, really anyone else, like, that's up to them.
13:44But when we play them, we're going to be ready to roll.
13:47And hopefully we can win some games here in the next few weeks and put ourselves in a good position
13:54to make a run.
13:54Will you be in a position to acquire bullpen depth, other players that maybe have higher salaries?
14:03Because fans wonder if you have the green light to spend.
14:09Yeah.
14:10I mean, really, everything's on the table.
14:12We just got to figure out where we are whenever it is a month from now.
14:16It should have started July.
14:17So, yeah, a month from now, a month and change.
14:19And if that means taking on an additional salary, yeah, there are certainly paths to do so.
14:27And, you know, I think there are other ways, too, where we can get creative and maybe create a little
14:32bit more payroll flexibility where we can do that.
14:34But there are a few different levers you can pull, so to speak.
14:38And so we're going to have everything on the table and, yeah, do our best to, you know, if we
14:44are in a position to push ships in for 26, to try and do so.
14:49While also, you know, keeping the long-term in mind, too.
14:54And sometimes threading that needle is difficult.
14:56But, like I said, we're going to have all options on the table and try and go about it intelligently.
15:02So that's our job.
15:04It's not always super clear, but that's our job to figure out kind of what we're faced with and then
15:10make the most out of it.
15:12All right, you got Andrew Alvarez today at 130 against Peyton Toll.
15:16Toll's a big dude, 6'6", 250.
15:18He just one-hit the Yankees in that four-game sweep.
15:22So what are you expecting today?
15:25Yeah, so we're actually going to open Lordy.
15:29We'll see how long he goes, and then we'll bring in Alvy after him potentially.
15:35So we will – and then Toll, you know, we will – he'll be a challenge for us.
15:41He's really good.
15:43Obviously, a few of us have history with him, having come from that organization and scouted and drafted him and
15:47all that.
15:48And so you'll see it.
15:49He's like a – yeah, he's probably 6'7".
15:52He's got a huge length down the mound, so he's got a fastball that he can run up there pretty
15:57good,
15:57but it plays up because he releases the ball so far down the mound.
16:01So mainly a fastball-sodder combo, and we'll have to be on the heater and put together some competitive at
16:07-bats
16:08and hopefully get to their pen, you know, earlier in the game rather than later.
16:12All right, Paul, good stuff.
16:13It's Paul Taboni, president of baseball ops for the Washington Nationals.
16:16We'll talk to you next week.
16:18Yeah, I appreciate you guys having me on.
16:19All right, Paul.
16:20See you, buddy.
16:20Paul Taboni coming up at 945.
16:23We're going to give you a chance to win a $50 gift card to Paisano's for the morning matchup.
16:30That's coming up at 945.
16:31But next, we're going to continue to talk some baseball.
16:34John Shambi from ESPN Cubs play-by-play voice.
16:38He'll join us next here on The Junkies.
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