We're geared up for the 2021 season and this jam-packed episode will get you there too. Chase Hughes and Nick Ashooh are joined by MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi (a Virginia native and Nats fan) to discuss the Nats offseason, who can challenge the Dodgers in the NL, and the greatness of Juan Soto. Plus, Nick and Chase talk about the return of Gerardo Parra and Baby Shark(?), pose the 3 biggest spring training questions for the Nats, and judge your bold predictions in a new segment called "Fair or Foul?" And stay for a really cool announcement for the Nationals Talk podcast that would make Curt Schilling jealous.

Nationals Talk

Spring Training Q's, judging your bold predictions & MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi

In a loaded episode, the Nats make two major moves, bringing back Mr. National Ryan Zimmerman and signing All-Star reliever Brad Hand... Nick Ashooh and Chase Hughes break down those moves, plus, in a special HeadStrong segment (29:00) Aaron Barrett joins the pod to tell his amazing and emotional story of resilience and recovery from 2 horrible arm injuries to return to the major leagues after 4 years. Stick around for Walk-off discussions about PopSockets and purchasing new cars.

Mr. National returns! and Aaron Barrett details his amazing comeback

Mike Rizzo strikes again, adding former All-Star and World Series champion Jon Lester to an already star-studded rotation. Nick Ashooh and Chase Hughes discuss what Lester brings at this stage of his career, how Rizzo continues to retool the Nats as championship contenders, and what's left to do before spring training. They're also joined by Matt Weyrich of nbcsportswashington.com to discuss the pros and cons of trading Victor Robles. 

Nationals add Jon Lester to star-studded staff

The Nationals added a World Series champion to their lineup, former Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Nick Ashooh and Chase Hughes talk to David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago and host of the Cubs Talk podcast on what Schwarber brings to the Nats, as well as perspective on how long the World Series honeymoon lasts. Chase also talks to Schwarber's college coach, Tracy Smith, and also confesses some pretty questionable food takes in this jam-packed episode.

Get to know the newest National Kyle Schwarber

Nick and Chase are joined by Al Galdi of The Team 980, one of the best baseball minds in town, to get his takes on Juan Soto, how to approach Max Scherzer's future, what's the key to competing in the ever-improving NL East and even reaction to the breaking Francisco Lindor trade to the Mets. Plus, Nick and Chase go through their New Year's resolutions for the 2021 Nats. 

2021 Resolutions, Juan Soto > Bryce Harper and Al Galdi joins the pod

All-star first baseman Josh Bell is now a National, and Nick, Chase and Todd have feelings about it. The crew also discusses the perception of the farm system, and what the trade means for a possible return for Ryan Zimmerman. Before we turn the calendar to 2021, one last look back at the 2020 season what positives Nats fans can take into next year (hint: Juan Soto). Plus, not one, but TWO great Walk-offs that you'll want to stay through the end for.

Analyzing the Josh Bell trade and the putting the 2020 season in the rear view mirror

Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes are joined this week by a quartet of reporters from around the NL East to discuss all things in the division as the calendar gets set to leave 2020 behind. Corey Seidman, the host of the Phillies Talk podcast, Mike Vaccaro, who covers the Mets for NY Post, Jordan McPherson, Marlins reporter for the Miami Herald and Kevin McAlpin, a reporter for the Braves Radio Network, along with our usual crew bat around the new management around the division and where some of the big name free agents will land (1:30). Then each team discusses the biggest offseason storylines (34:00) and the best and worst case scenarios for the coming season (46:30).

Gather round the NL East roundtable for an offseason feast

Does anyone want to set some rules for this podcast? Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes discuss GM Mike Rizzo's press conference where we learned that he has no clarity on whether or not he needs to field a DH next season. Rizzo wants a middle-of-the-order bat, so who fits that bill? Michael Brantley, Marcel Ozuna, and Kyle Schwarber are bandied about as options by the crew before we get to Todd's long interview with Max Scherzer. The Nationals ace touches on his dislike for expanded playoffs, where rules and regulations stand for the 2021 season, and his thought process going into the last year of his contract. After the interview, Nick, Todd, and Chase discuss how the perception of D.C. baseball changes now that the Negro Leagues statistics will be included in MLB's official records. Finally, the pod ends as it always does with Walk-Offs.

Max Scherzer updates us on his contract negotiations with the Nationals

In this week's episode of the Nationals Talk podcast, Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes discuss the disaster unfolding in Philadelphia and bring the Adam Eaton trade full circle now that he has signed back with the White Sox. Then the boys bring in NBC Sports Chicago's White Sox writer Vinnie Duber to get the pulse of White Sox nation on the Eaton/Lucas GIolito trade and which former White Sox free agents would fit best in D.C. Finally, the crew lays out the Nationals minor league affiliations this season before ending the show per usual with Walk-Offs.

Disaster in Philadelphia and Adam Eaton goes right back to the White Sox

On this week's episode of the Nationals Talk podcast, Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes discuss the legacy of Michael A. Taylor as he departs from Washington. Nick then posits a question: which National would experience the same response on his departure from the District that John Wall is currently receiving upon his trade to Houston? The discussion then transitions to the new free agents on the market that were not tendered by their previous teams who the Nationals might want to go after, including Carlos Rodón and Kyle Schwarber. Could Juan Soto be the best recruitment tool at the Nats' disposal? Nick, Todd and Chase discuss his seeming recruitment of All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer and finally, the boys Walk-Off with some show recommendations and a tribute to John Wall's honesty.

Which National would get the same treatment John Wall is getting on his departure from the District?

Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes are back to get you through the holiday weekend. They start by taking a look at what it might take to get Kris Bryant to D.C. while Chase dons his tin foil hat to theorize how the Nats could continue to troll Bryce Harper with Bryant and other potential moves. The conversation then transitions into alternate options in the trade market before looking at free agents that might be options for Mike Rizzo to bring to town including DJ LeMahieu. Finally they hit on Charlie Morton signing with the Braves and what it means for the rest of the NL East. No Nationals Talk podcast is complete without Walk-Offs and today the boys discuss their favorite foods on the Thanksgiving table. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Nationals Talk Podcast!

Can the Nationals actually trade for Kris Bryant? Plus, why DJ LeMahieu is a perfect fit in Washington

Nick Ashooh, Todd Dybas and Chase Hughes are joined by the voice of the Nationals Charlie Slowes to discuss the strange 2020 MLB season. Slowes walks through the challenges of calling road games from his usual booth at Nationals Park, why the 2020 Nationals never found their groove and discusses some potential changes the Nats could make to get back to challenging for a World Series in 2021. After Charlie departs, conversation turns to Yasmany Tomas and where he ranks among the biggest Nationals in recent memory plus a look around the NL East from Steve Cohen and the Mets to Kim Ng, the first female GM in major US sports, and the Marlins. Chase throws serious shade at Nick in the Walk-offs and Todd has a very strong take about tacos that is worth sticking around for.

Story time with Charlie Slowes plus news and notes around the NL East

It's the offseason and that means it's time for Armchair GMs!! Nick Ashooh, Chase Hughes and Todd Dybas dive into three possibilities for the Nationals to sign in free agency this season (1:00). The conversation then transitions to the snubbing of Juan Soto as an MVP finalist this season - and no, we don't want to hear your games played arguments (29:30). Nick goes perhaps slightly overboard with his praise of Soto, but is that really even possible? Plus, what could the newly re-signed Aaron Barrett have to offer the Nationals next season (38:30) and Alex Cora is back as the Red Sox manager following his year-long suspension for his role in the Astros sign-stealing scandal (42:00). If you've ever been curious about all the hubbub surrounding blue-light glasses, stay tuned to Walk-offs for everything you could possibly want to know about them (48:30).

Soto snubbed plus 3 free agents the Nats should go after this offseason

Nick Ashooh, Chase Hughes and Todd Dybas officially start the offseason by looking at the Nationals moves in declining the options of Eric Thames, Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick and Aníbal Sánchez and what that might mean for the roster next season (1:00). Then the crew recaps the Dodgers World Series title over the Rays including the continuation of the great analytics debate and the crowing of the Dodgers dynasty (11:00). Can you believe it's been a year since the Nationals won the World Series?? Neither can we, but the crew reminisce about last season's run and what a difference a year makes (32:00). Finally, the boys take a peek at some waaaaaaay too early 2021 World Series odds (44:00) before closing the pod out with Walk-offs (47:30).

The offseason has officially started and a way too early look at the 2021 World Series odds

Nick, Chase and Todd dive in to the World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Rays to examine what the Nationals can learn from how the two teams were built. Then the boys break down the NL East and determine how the Nationals can close the gap with the Braves, how Mike Rizzo will operate in the offseason and what Nats fans need to know about new pitching coach Jim Hickey.

What the Nationals can learn from the Dodgers and Rays in the World Series

The best podcast to hear the latest on the World Series Champion Washington Nationals. Hosted by Tim Shovers, along with Chase Hughes and NBC Sports Washington’s Nationals Insider Todd Dybas. Contributors include Travis Thomas & Ryan Wormeli.