Andrew Golden

Sources tell me and @andrewgolden.bsky.social (that’s a fun one!) that Zack Littell’s deal with the Nationals guarantees $7 million in 2026 with incentives pushing that possibly to $9.5 million. The 2027 mutual option is worth $12 million, including a $4 million buyout

Thanks so much, Maggie! Really appreciate it!

Today's my first day at the Banner! For any story ideas/tips/etc., email me: andrew.golden@thebanner.com

That means a lot coming from you! Thanks, Sally!

Feeling blessed & thankful for this opportunity and the support I’ve received over the last few weeks. Also grateful for my previous stops along the way, including
@sji1992.bsky.social and my five years working @postsports.bsky.social with so many wonderful people.

Excited for this new chapter!

Hey everyone! I'm joining the @thebaltimorebanner.com as a sports enterprise & features reporter. I’ll also help out w/the Banner's Nats/O's coverage.

Growing up in Baltimore County, it's a privilege to write about the intersection of Baltimore community, culture and sports.

Said this on the other app — The best thing about @spencernusbaum.bsky.social is that, in addition to being an amazing writer, he’s an even better person. Awesome news, so excited for him:

I was among the many sports reporters laid off by The Washington Post today. Feeling a lot of gratitude for my time working for this paper.

Not looking back. Looking ahead to what’s next!

Some agent news: catcher Harry Ford is now being repped by ROC Nation after previously being w/Boras Corp.

Ford was acquired w/pitcher Isaac Lyon for Jose A. Ferrer in December. Should compete for the starting catcher job this spring, ROC Nation also reps shortstop CJ Abrams.

Few things that stand out about the Nats’ minor league dev. staff at first glance:

- An assistant/associate athletic trainer & strength and conditioning coach at each level (Only 1 trainer/S&D coach before)
- A defensive coach at each level
- Asst. pitching coaches at affiliates

Andry Lara, who was DFA'd to clear space for utility player Mickey Gasper, cleared outright waivers and has been assigned outright to Triple-A Rochester.

Just wanted to take a minute, for no particular reason whatsoever, and celebrate some of the brilliant work that my
@postsports.bsky.social colleagues have done in recent weeks.

These stories take time and resources. They're also what make The Post so great. All gift links/free to read...

He keeps every story I write in boxes in his home. He calls me to ask if I know when my stories make it on the front page of the sports section.

It’s an honor to be part of the @postsports.bsky.social team. Always have felt that way but especially today.

People ask me what my favorite part of working at The Post is and I often tell them my granddad. A native Washingtonian, he’s an avid sports fan. When I was hired in 2021, it was a full-circle moment for my family.

Serving local readers like him is a privilege. #SaveThePost

They were traded for MacKenzie Gore. Here’s what MLB evaluators see. The Post talked to several talent evaluators employed by teams across MLB, asking them about the return for MacKenzie Gore. Here’s what we learned.

I know what you're thinking: man, I wish @spencernusbaum.bsky.social and Andrew had a story detailing what they've heard from talent evaluators across baseball about the prospects acquired in the MacKenzie Gore trade.

Lucky for you, we came through:

Paul Toboni, speaking to the local media: "If you asked me a week ago was this going to happen? I probably would have said no. But over the course of the last week, just momentum built and finally got to a spot where it made sense for us."

Talked to one baseball evaluator who said this package give the Nats depth and restocks their farm system. Added "it probably puts them in conversation to have a top-five farm system," though four of the five prospects aren’t particularly close to reaching the majors.

Nationals are finalizing deal to ship ace MacKenzie Gore to Rangers Throughout the offseason, Nationals executives said they would be patient in allowing Gore’s market to develop, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Here's our initial story on MacKenzie Gore, who was traded to the Texas Rangers for five prospects.

w/ @chelseajanes.bsky.social and @spencernusbaum.bsky.social:

Correct!

Ah, sorry! Good point! The two columns to the right of the positions are the most important — games played and games started!

The Nationals claimed UTL Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and DFA’d Andry Lara.

Gasper has appeared in 58 big league games over the last 2 seasons The positions he’s played in those games: DH, 1B, 2B, LF and C.

Can confirm that LHP Zach Penrod and the Nationals are in agreement on a minor-league deal. @willsammon.bsky.social was first.

Penrod, a former Red Sox prospect, made 7 big league appearances with Boston in 2024.

Some Nationals broadcasting news: The Nationals are planning to hire Alexa Datt as the team’s new sideline reporter, per sources. Datt was most recently part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ television coverage.

Are you or someone you know going to the Caps' Pride game on Saturday? Have you watched Heated Rivalry? Is, by chance, anyone going to the game *because* they watched Heated Rivalry?

If any of that fits you, my DMs are open. Working on a story and would love to chat!

Ahead of spring training, some Nats minor leaguers will get an extra camp The Nationals are expected to have around 60 minor leaguers participate in a supplemental training camp at the team’s facility in Florida, which will start later this month.

Next week, the Nationals are hosting a supplemental camp for ~60 minor leaguers before spring training starts. Talked to AGM Devin Pearson about why.

That, plus some prospects who will be there, updates on new technology/spending and more:

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...

The Nationals need relievers. Schultz is intriguing. Had high walk rates early in his career as a starter but has improved as a reliever while maintaining his strikeout numbers (10.22 K/9, 2.92 BB/9 in 13 MLB apps).

Also has two minor league options remaining.

The Nationals need relievers. Schultz is intriguing. Had high walk rates early in his career as a starter but has improved as a reliever while maintaining his strikeout numbers (10.22 K/9, 2.92 BB/9 in 13 MLB apps).

Also has two minor league options remaining.

The Nationals have claimed pitcher Paxton Schultz off waivers, per source.

Schultz pitched in 13 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Was used as a reliever/opener in 2025. He was DFA’d so Toronto could clear space on their roster for Kazuma Okamoto.

CJ Abrams and the Nationals have agreed at $4.2 million to avoid arbitration, per source.

Can confirm that the Nationals have claimed outfielder Joey Wiemer off waivers from the Giants. Robert Murray was first.

Former top-100 prospect has played in 180 MLB games, most recently with the Marlins. Was traded to SF in November.