The Nationals fired GM Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez after a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox on July 6, 2025. What's next for Washington with the #1 draft pick?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a move that sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, the Washington Nationals have fired General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez. The stunning decision came late Sunday night, just a week before the team is slated to make the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft, signaling a dramatic and abrupt change of course for a franchise in the throes of a rebuild.
Over his last 15 games, James Wood is hitting .322/.420/.678 with six homers and 18 RBI, leading MLB in hard-hit home runs.
The news, first broken by ESPN's Jeff Passan, came on the heels of a dismal weekend sweep by the Boston Red Sox. For years, Rizzo and Martinez were the architects and leaders of the Nationals' greatest triumphs, including the 2019 World Series. Now, they are casualties of the team's recent struggles and a clear desire from ownership for a new vision. With no interim replacements named, the organization is in a state of unprecedented flux just days before a critical draft that is supposed to be a cornerstone of the team's future.
The firings capped a frustrating weekend at Nationals Park. The Nats fell 6-4 in Sunday's finale, completing the three-game sweep by Boston and dropping their season record to a bleak 37-52. A late rally wasn't enough to overcome a struggling bullpen that couldn't contain the Red Sox lineup. It was a fittingly sour end to the Rizzo-Martinez era, highlighting the on-field issues that likely contributed to the front office's demise.
Amidst the wreckage of the weekend and the front office turmoil, a few bright spots continue to shine. James Wood is playing like a man possessed, putting together one of the most dominant stretches of his young career. His power has been prodigious, leading a team-wide surge that has seen the Nats rank second in the National League in home runs since mid-June. Alongside contributions from CJ Abrams, Wood's performance is a crucial reminder of the high-end talent this team possesses, regardless of who is in the manager's office or the GM's suite.
The leadership vacuum couldn't come at a more critical time. With the top pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Nationals have a chance to add another franchise-altering talent. The farm system, already boasting future cornerstones like Dylan Crews and top pitching prospect Travis Sykora, is the organization's most valuable asset. The question now is who will be making that No. 1 pick? The firings put immense pressure on the organization to quickly establish a new direction to maximize this pivotal moment in their rebuild.
As the dust settles from this front office earthquake, the Nationals head into an off-day before a road trip to Anaheim. But all eyes are on the bigger picture: Who will lead this team into the draft and beyond? The future of the franchise hangs in the balance, making this week one of the most pivotal in recent memory. A new era in Nationals baseball has begun, whether we were ready for it or not.
