A number of former Washington Nationals players have taken coaching roles this offseason. There are two former Nats who have become MLB managers this offseason, and a few more that are in other coaching roles. The most recent Nat to become a coach is Michael A. Taylor, who will be an outfield instructor for the Minnesota Twins.
This role makes a ton of sense for Taylor, who was an elite defensive outfielder throughout his career. He posted 64 outs above average in his career, and was a positive defender every year. Baseball Savant started tracking OAA in 2016, so this number would have been even higher if Taylor’s first two years in the league were taken into account.
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Taylor is making a very quick transition into coaching. He retired at the end of this season, playing the last games of his career at Nationals Park as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Even in his mid-30’s, Taylor posted 3 outs above average last year.
According to reports, Taylor will be working with Minor League outfielders this season. As someone who is fresh in the coaching world, it seems like the Twins will be taking it slow with Taylor. He will not be given a massive role this year, but if he wants to continue coaching, his role is likely to grow.
Taylor actually played one season in Minnesota, and performed well. He played his usual good defense while also slugging 21 home runs. Taylor was his typical boom or bust self at the plate, but the power and defense made him a valuable Twin. Now, he will be heading back to his old stomping grounds.
However, Taylor is far from the only former Nat to get a big coaching role this offseason. Two former Nationals actually became managers this offseason. The first was Kurt Suzuki, who was hired as the manager of the Angels. He only signed a one-year deal, so the pressure is on the former Nats catcher.
Suzuki brought a couple former Nats with him to LA. 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 also hired his 2019 teammate Adam Eaton to be the Angels first base coach. Eaton was involved with the Nats after his playing career, making trips to military bases. Now, he is going to the Angels to join Suzuki. Like Suzuki, Eaton finished his career with the Angels.
Suzuki is not the only former Nat to get a managerial gig on the west coast. Craig Stammen was hired as the Padres manager earlier this winter. The reliable reliever spent the first half of his career with the Nats, before having a nice run with the Padres.
Now, Stammen will be managing his former club. The Padres have a lot of star power on their roster and will have big expectations in 2026. Stammen’s familiarity with the team’s star players should help him out though.
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He actually pulled off a bit of a palace coup to get the job. Stammen was the man interviewing managerial candidates, but ended up getting the job himself. This seems like an AJ Preller driven decision rather than true palace intrigue though.
Like Suzuki, Stammen will have some familiar faces on his coaching staff. Randy Knorr was in the Nats organization for many years, but was let go this offseason. Stammen picked him up and made Knorr the Padres bench coach. Nats cult hero Steven Souza Jr. will be the Padres hitting coach. Bob Henley was a staple in the Nats organization, but he is also going to San Diego, to be the third base coach.
Some of these players becoming coaches makes me feel very old. I remember some of these guys on the field like it was yesterday. Now, they are on to the next chapter of their baseball journeys. These are the most notable former Nats in coaching, but there are more.
Aaron Barrett works with the Phillies as the rehab/complex pitching coordinator. We talked to Wilson Ramos last year, and he is very open to being a coach as well. He does not have an official coaching role this year. According to my sources, Ramos will be doing some coaching during Spring Training, but not with the Nats.
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It will be interesting to see which other players go into coaching as the years go on. Howie Kendrick is a special assistant to the front office for the Phillies, so he seems like a candidate. I am sure there will be others too. This is always a fun topic to follow, even if it makes me feel really old.
