A number of former Washington Nationals players have taken on coaching roles this offseason. There are two former Nats who became MLB managers this offseason, and a few others who are in other coaching roles. The newest Nat to become a coach is Michael A. Taylor, who will be an outfield instructor for the Minnesota Twins.
This role makes perfect sense for Taylor, who has been an elite defensive outfielder throughout his career. He job 64 strikeouts above average in his career and has been a plus defender every year. Baseball Savant began tracking OAA in 2016, so this figure would have been even higher if Taylor’s first two years in the league had been taken into account.
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Taylor is making a very quick transition into coaching. He retired at the end of that season, playing the final games of his career at Nationals Park as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Even in his mid-30s, Taylor job 3 outs above last year’s average.
According to reportsTaylor will work with Minor League outfielders this season. As a newcomer to the coaching world, it appears the Twins are going to take it slow with Taylor. He won’t be given a major role this year, but if he wants to continue coaching, his role is likely to grow.
Taylor actually played one season in Minnesota, and carried out GOOD. He played his usual good defense while hitting 21 home runs. Taylor was his typical boom-or-bust guy at the plate, but the power and defense made him a valuable twin. He will now return to his old stomping grounds.
However, Taylor is far from the only former Nat to get a significant coaching role this offseason. Two former nationals became managers this offseason. The first was Kurt Suzuki, who was hired as manager of the Angels. He only signed a one-year deal, so the pressure is on the former Nats catcher.
Suzuki brought a few former Nats with him to Los Angeles. Mike Maddux and Kurt Suzuki never overlapped in DC, but the rookie manager poached the veteran pitching coach. Maddux is one of the most respected pitching coaches in the game. He was with the Nats in 2016 and 2017.
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Interestingly, Suzuki too hiring his 2019 teammate Adam Eaton will serve as the Angels’ first base coach. Eaton was involved with the Nats after his playing career, taking trips to military bases. From now on, he is going to the Angels to join Suzuki. Like Suzuki, Eaton finished his career with the Angels.
Suzuki isn’t the only former Nat to land a management position on the West Coast. Craig Stammen was hired as manager of the Padres earlier this winter. The reliable reliever spent the first half of his career with the Nats, before having a nice run with the Padres.
From now on, Stammen will manage his former club. The Padres have plenty of stars on their roster and will have high expectations in 2026. Stammen’s familiarity with the team’s star players should help, however.
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He actually pulled off a little palace coup to get the job. Stammen was the man interviewing the leadership candidates, but he ended up getting the job himself. This, however, appears to be an AJ Preller-driven decision rather than outright palace intrigue.
Like Suzuki, Stammen will have some familiar faces on his coaching staff. Randy Knorr was a part of the Nats organization for many years, but was let go this offseason. Stamen I got it back and made Knorr the Padres’ bench coach. Nats cult hero Steven Souza Jr. will be the Padres’ hitting coach. Bob Henley was a fixture in the Nats organization, but he would also head to San Diego to become third base coach.
Some of these players-turned-coaches make me feel very old. I remember some of those guys on the field like it was yesterday. They have now moved on to the next chapter of their baseball journey. These are the most notable former Nats when it comes to coaching, but there are others.
Aaron Barrett works with the Phillies as rehab/complex pitching coordinator. We speak to Wilson Ramos last year, and he is also very open to becoming a coach. He has no official coaching role this year. According to my sources, Ramos will do some coaching during Spring Training, but not with the Nats.
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It will be interesting to see which other players become coaches over the years. Howie Kendrick is a special assistant in the Phillies front office, so he seems like a candidate. I’m sure there will be others too. It’s always a fun topic to follow, even if it really makes me feel old.
