In October of 2019, the Washington Nationals found themselves at the pinnacle of the baseball realm. Transitioned from wild card chains to a World Series celebration, the team embarked on a journey that etched itself into the annals of franchise history. Mike Rizzo was hailed as the architect. Dave Martinez, the resilient players’ manager, became a city icon. Fast forward to July 2025. Both men are gone, dismissed in a weekend bombshell that’s left fans blindsided and ownership squarely in the hot seat.

The timing couldn’t be more bizarre. With the MLB Draft just days away and three and a half weeks till the trade deadline, the Nationals chose this moment to sever ties with the leadership duo that brought them their only title. Interim replacements were named: Mike DeBartolo as GM and Miguel Cairo as manager. But the decision has sparked a bigger question: Is this about performance, or is it about priorities? The spotlight has turned toward Mark Lerner and a post-championship trend of pulling back instead of pushing forward.

“This goes on the owners,” said A.J. Pierzynski during a recent Foul Territory segment. “They didn’t spend money. They didn’t pick the necessary moves… The Mets, the Braves, the Phillies, they spend money. And guess what they have? They have really good teams. And the Nats?… They’ve got some good players. James Wood, CJ Abrams, I mean, they got some good young players that are there are ready to do it. And they gotta get supplemental pieces around them. If you don’t do that, you get in a constant cycle of… oh, our players like MacKenzie Gore, they are good; oh, we’re not good enough, we gotta them and we gotta start over! No, spend some money like you did in 2019… bring in some players to supplement this roster.”

That’s the part that stings most for fans. There’s young talent in Washington, no doubt. MacKenzie Gore, Keibert Ruiz, and Robert Hassell III are showing promise. But it’s hard to develop a winning culture when ownership appears content with staying cheap and rebuilding in circles. It’s a far cry from the aggressiveness of 2019, when the Nationals signed Max Scherzer, invested in-depth, and bet on themselves.

That instability is now at the center of everything. Whether Mark Lerner is quietly positioning the team for sale or simply trying to cut costs without admitting it, one thing is clear. Fans aren’t buying the direction. For a franchise that once proved it could go all the way, the recent message feels unambitious at best, and indifferent at worst.

Nationals’ ownership’s Statement: Gratitude, but a sharp pivot

Mark Lerner didn’t just announce a change, he delivered a jolt to the system. The Nationals’ main owner expressed gratitude towards Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez for their leadership during the team’s peak period in a statement that mixed memories, with a sense of closure. Despite the appreciative tone, it was clear that Washington was swiftly moving forward to a new chapter.

Lerner opened by acknowledging what many fans already knew. Rizzo and Martinez weren’t just team employees; they were franchise pillars. “Mike helped make us who we are,” Lerner said, pointing to the GM’s long run from the franchise’s darkest days to its 2019 championship. His praise wasn’t limited to on-field success; Rizzo’s presence in the community, his steady hand, and his work ethic got their due.

Martinez also received a lot of recognition for his efforts. Popularly known as “Davey” he was commended for his talent in building relationships with players and fans and, for providing the team with a unique sense of composure during challenging moments.

The ownership also issued a statement on their official X handle, pointing out “This is a pivotal time for our club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course…”

But let’s not pretend this was just a fond farewell. The Nationals are 37–53 and buried at the bottom of the NL East. The Lerner family has faced increasing criticism for a shrinking payroll and a perceived lack of urgency. In that context, Mark Lerner’s statement read less like a retirement toast and more like a line in the sand. Respect was paid, but change was prioritized.

The loyalty that defined their tenure met the hard truth of a team in limbo, and Lerner made it clear: Sentimentality won’t stall progress anymore.