Rosternomics
MR

Michael Rizzo

Born Dec 14, 1960 · Chicago, IL · age 65

Architect of the Washington Nationals' rise from expansion-era doormat to 2019 World Series champions, built on premium drafting (Strasburg, Harper) and decisive trades.

17 seasons with salary-era data across 1 stint. All figures are franchise-level outcomes during the tenure, not solely attributable to one executive.

Titles1
Pennants1
Playoffs5
Record1292–1359
Win %0.487
-23.7WAB — wins above budget154th/195 execs
-7.7Talent above budget — roster-construction alpha (talent your budget bought above expectation)103rd/195 execs
1.49Acquisition leverage — playoff pts each bought win added, given the roster it joined (did you buy where wins matter?)46th/195 execs
-106.8WAR surplus (era-neutral, win-equiv)174th/195 execs
-413Roster surplus $M184th/195 execs

How the roster was sourced

Share of gross-positive acquired fWAR by channel (vs. league average).

Build channels — net fWAR

Acquired minus surrendered / signed minus walked.

Home-grown (draft/intl)+155.0
Trade+42.9
Free agency-8.8
Rule 5 / minor draft+2.0
Sourcing mix: 42% draft · 27% FA · 31% trade · 0% R5

Tenure breakdown

TeamRoleYearsSzns WAB WAB/yr TAB WAR surp HG Trade FA R5 AcqLev W-L% POPenWS Surp $M
Nationals GM 2009–2025 16 -23.7 -1.48 -7.7 -106.8 +155.0 +42.9 -8.8 +2.0 1.49 0.487 511 -413
Career total (1985+ data) 17 -23.7 -7.7 -106.8 +155.0 +42.9 -8.8 +2.0 1.49 0.487 51 1 -413

Players acquired — 263 players, by realized fWAR for the franchise (scroll for more)

PlayerPosTeam How Year fWAR
Stephen Strasburg P WSN Draft 2009 +37.7
Max Scherzer P WSN Free agency 2015 +35.9
Anthony Rendon 3B WSN Draft 2011 +30.0
Bryce Harper OF WSN Draft 2010 +28.6
Gio Gonzalez P WSN Trade 2011 +20.8
Trea Turner SS WSN Trade 2015 +19.4
Juan Soto OF WSN Intl FA 2015 +18.4
Jayson Werth OF WSN Free agency 2010 +14.1
Tanner Roark P WSN Trade 2010 +12.8
Wilson Ramos C WSN Trade 2010 +11.5
CJ Abrams SS WSN Trade 2022 +9.6
Patrick Corbin P WSN Free agency 2018 +9.1
Denard Span OF WSN Trade 2012 +9.0
Daniel Murphy 1B/2B WSN Free agency 2016 +8.3
James Wood OF WSN Trade 2022 +7.2
Joe Ross P WSN Trade 2014 +6.4
Jacob Young OF WSN Draft 2023 +6.0
Adam LaRoche 1B WSN Free agency 2011 +5.6
Mike Morse 1B/OF WSN Trade 2009 +4.7
Víctor Robles OF WSN Intl FA 2013 +4.5
Drew Storen P WSN Draft 2009 +4.5
Liván Hernández P WSN Free agency 2009 +4.4
Michael Taylor OF WSN Draft 2009 +4.2
Adam Dunn 1B/OF WSN Free agency 2009 +4.0
Howie Kendrick 2B WSN Free agency 2018 +3.5
Luis García 2B WSN Intl FA 2016 +3.4
Trevor Williams P WSN Free agency 2022 +3.0
Mitchell Parker P WSN Draft 2024 +2.9
Jake Irvin P WSN Draft 2023 +2.7
Edwin Jackson P WSN Free agency 2012 +2.5
Sean Doolittle P WSN Trade 2017 +2.3
Yunel Escobar 3B/SS WSN Trade 2015 +2.3
Daylen Lile OF WSN Draft 2025 +2.2
Cade Cavalli P WSN Draft 2022 +2.1
Jose Ferrer P WSN Draft 2023 +2.1
Aníbal Sánchez P WSN Free agency 2018 +2.1
Wander Suero P WSN Intl FA 2010 +2.0
Dan Haren P WSN Free agency 2012 +1.8
DJ Herz P WSN Trade 2023 +1.7
Sean Burnett P WSN Trade 2009 +1.6
Wilmer Difo 2B/SS WSN Intl FA 2010 +1.5
Brian Dozier 2B WSN Free agency 2019 +1.5
Stone Garrett OF WSN Free agency 2022 +1.5
Brad Lord P WSN Draft 2025 +1.5
Blake Treinen P WSN Trade 2013 +1.5
Aaron Barrett P WSN Draft 2010 +1.4
Rafael Soriano P WSN Free agency 2013 +1.3
Yan Gomes C WSN Free agency 2019 +1.2
Jeremy Hellickson P WSN Free agency 2018 +1.1
Taylor Jordan P WSN Draft 2009 +1.1
Derek Law P WSN Free agency 2024 +1.1
Drew Millas C WSN Draft 2023 +1.1
Iván Rodríguez C WSN Free agency 2009 +1.1
Matt Albers P WSN Free agency 2017 +1.0
Rick Ankiel OF WSN Free agency 2010 +1.0
Paolo Espino P WSN Free agency 2014 +1.0
Nasim Nuñez 2B/SS WSN Draft 2024 +1.0
Andrew Alvarez P WSN Draft 2025 +0.9
Starlin Castro 2B/SS WSN Free agency 2020 +0.9
Matt Grace P WSN Draft 2010 +0.9
Adam Lind 1B/DH WSN Free agency 2017 +0.9
Felipe Vázquez P WSN Trade 2014 +0.9
Erick Fedde P WSN Draft 2014 +0.8
Tom Gorzelanny P WSN Trade 2011 +0.8
Sammy Solís P WSN Draft 2010 +0.8
Matt Belisle P WSN Free agency 2016 +0.7
Stephen Drew SS WSN Free agency 2016 +0.7
Brian Goodwin OF WSN Draft 2011 +0.7
Nyjer Morgan OF WSN Trade 2009 +0.7
Joel Peralta P WSN Free agency 2009 +0.7
Óliver Pérez P WSN Free agency 2011 +0.7
Kurt Suzuki C WSN Free agency 2018 +0.7
Austin Voth P WSN Draft 2013 +0.7
A. J. Cole P WSN Trade 2013 +0.6
Koda Glover P WSN Draft 2015 +0.6
Mike Gonzalez P WSN Free agency 2012 +0.6
Joan Adon P WSN Trade 2021 +0.5
Dylan Crews OF WSN Draft 2024 +0.5
Carl Edwards P WSN Free agency 2022 +0.5
César Hernández 2B WSN Free agency 2021 +0.5
Reynaldo López P WSN Intl FA 2012 +0.5
Joey Meneses 1B/DH WSN Draft 2022 +0.5
Laynce Nix OF WSN Free agency 2011 +0.5
Andrew Stevenson OF WSN Draft 2015 +0.5
Fernando Abad P WSN Free agency 2012 +0.4
Alex Avila C WSN Free agency 2021 +0.4
Asdrúbal Cabrera SS WSN Free agency 2019 +0.4
Scott Olsen P WSN Free agency 2009 +0.4
Enny Romero P WSN Trade 2017 +0.4
Mason Thompson P WSN Trade 2021 +0.4
Ildemaro Vargas 2B/3B WSN Free agency 2022 +0.4
Juan Yepez 1B/DH/OF WSN Free agency 2023 +0.4
Víctor Arano P WSN Free agency 2021 +0.3
Tres Barrera C WSN Draft 2016 +0.3
Todd Coffey P WSN Free agency 2011 +0.3
Erik Davis P WSN Trade 2011 +0.3
Sean Doolittle P WSN Free agency 2022 +0.3
Foster Griffin P WSN Free agency 2025 +0.3
Yadiel Hernández OF WSN Intl FA 2016 +0.3
Adam Kennedy 2B WSN Free agency 2010 +0.3
Jorge López P WSN Free agency 2025 +0.3
Erasmo Ramírez P WSN Free agency 2022 +0.3
Mark Reynolds 1B/3B WSN Free agency 2018 +0.3
Tony Sipp P WSN Free agency 2019 +0.3
Darren Baker 2B/DH WSN Draft 2024 +0.2
Ben Braymer P WSN Draft 2016 +0.2
Paul DeJong SS WSN Free agency 2025 +0.2
Zach Duke P WSN Free agency 2012 +0.2
Josh Harrison 2B/3B WSN Free agency 2020 +0.2
Gabe Klobosits P WSN Draft 2017 +0.2
Ross Ohlendorf P WSN Free agency 2013 +0.2
Orlando Ribalta P WSN Draft 2024 +0.2
Tyler Walker P WSN Free agency 2010 +0.2
Zach Walters DH/OF WSN Trade 2011 +0.2
Matt Barnes P WSN Free agency 2024 +0.1
Josh Bell 1B/DH WSN Free agency 2025 +0.1
Corey Brown OF WSN Trade 2010 +0.1
Emmanuel Burriss 2B WSN Free agency 2013 +0.1
Michael Chavis 1B/2B WSN Free agency 2023 +0.1
Jesse English P WSN Trade 2009 +0.1
Christian Garcia P WSN Trade 2012 +0.1
Will Harris P WSN Free agency 2020 +0.1
Spencer Kieboom C WSN Draft 2012 +0.1
J. D. Martin P WSN Trade 2009 +0.1
Jordy Mercer SS WSN Free agency 2020 +0.1
Tanner Rainey P WSN Trade 2018 +0.1
Jakson Reetz C WSN Draft 2014 +0.1
Jhon Romero P WSN Trade 2018 +0.1
Julián Tavárez P WSN Free agency 2009 +0.1
Dan Uggla 2B WSN Free agency 2014 +0.1
Ehire Adrianza 3B/SS WSN Free agency 2022 -0.0
Jacob Barnes P WSN Free agency 2024 +0.0
Brian Broderick P WSN Rule 5 2010 +0.0
Jamie Burke C WSN Free agency 2009 -0.0
Sean Burnett P WSN Free agency 2015 -0.0
Brett Carroll OF WSN Free agency 2011 -0.0
Alex Cora 2B/SS WSN Free agency 2011 +0.0
Sam Freeman P WSN Free agency 2019 +0.0
Taylor Hill P WSN Draft 2011 +0.0
Brock Holt 2B/3B/OF WSN Free agency 2020 -0.0
Casey Janssen P WSN Free agency 2015 +0.0
Shawn Kelley P WSN Free agency 2015 -0.0
Carlos Maldonado C WSN Free agency 2010 +0.0
Rafael Martín P WSN Draft 2015 -0.0
Sean Nolin P WSN Free agency 2021 +0.0
Ryan Raburn OF WSN Free agency 2017 -0.0
Clint Robinson 1B/OF WSN Free agency 2014 +0.0
Chad Tracy 1B/3B WSN Free agency 2011 +0.0
Cody Wilson PH/PR WSN Draft 2018 -0.0
Austin Adams P WSN Trade 2016 -0.1
Humberto Arteaga SS WSN Free agency 2021 -0.1
Luis Avilán P WSN Free agency 2021 -0.1
Dakota Bacus P WSN Trade 2013 -0.1
Anthony Banda P WSN Free agency 2022 -0.1
Joe Bisenius P WSN Free agency 2010 -0.1
Michael Blazek P WSN Free agency 2019 -0.1
Emilio Bonifácio 2B/OF WSN Free agency 2020 -0.1
Sam Clay P WSN Trade 2021 -0.1
Tyler Clippard P WSN Free agency 2022 -0.1
Abel De Los Santos P WSN Trade 2014 -0.1
Víctor Gárate P WSN Trade 2009 -0.1
Reed Garrett P WSN Free agency 2022 -0.1
Chad Gaudin P WSN Free agency 2010 -0.1
Grant Green 2B WSN Free agency 2017 -0.1
Jeremy Guthrie P WSN Free agency 2017 -0.1
Ryne Harper P WSN Trade 2020 -0.1
Hobie Harris P WSN Draft 2023 -0.1
Dan Jennings P WSN Free agency 2019 -0.1
Jeff Kobernus OF WSN Draft 2009 -0.1
Andry Lara P WSN Draft 2025 -0.1
Evan Lee P WSN Draft 2022 -0.1
Kyle Lobstein P WSN Free agency 2021 -0.1
Kyle McGowin P WSN Trade 2016 -0.1
Nate McLouth OF WSN Free agency 2013 -0.1
Henry Rodríguez P WSN Trade 2010 -0.1
Seth Romero P WSN Draft 2017 -0.1
Amed Rosario SS WSN Free agency 2025 -0.1
Dominic Smith 1B/OF WSN Free agency 2023 -0.1
C. J. Stubbs C WSN Draft 2025 -0.1
Jackson Tetreault P WSN Draft 2022 -0.1
Matt Adams 1B WSN Free agency 2017 -0.2
Alberto Baldonado P WSN Trade 2021 -0.2
Joe Blanton P WSN Free agency 2017 -0.2
James Bourque P WSN Draft 2014 -0.2
Brian Bruney P WSN Trade 2009 -0.2
Jimmy Cordero P WSN Trade 2016 -0.2
Joey Gallo OF WSN Free agency 2024 -0.2
Derek Hill OF WSN Free agency 2022 -0.2
Reed Johnson OF WSN Free agency 2015 -0.2
Brad Lidge P WSN Free agency 2012 -0.2
Miguel Montero C WSN Free agency 2018 -0.2
Jake Noll 1B WSN Draft 2016 -0.2
Ryan Perry P WSN Trade 2011 -0.2
Yusmeiro Petit P WSN Free agency 2015 -0.2
Israel Pineda C WSN Draft 2022 -0.2
Willy Taveras OF WSN Free agency 2010 -0.2
Carlos Torres P WSN Free agency 2018 -0.2
Jorge Alfaro C WSN Free agency 2025 -0.3
Josh Bard C WSN Free agency 2009 -0.3
Clayton Beeter P WSN Trade 2025 -0.3
Andrés Chaparro 1B/DH WSN Trade 2024 -0.3
Steve Cishek P WSN Free agency 2022 -0.3
Tim Collins P WSN Free agency 2016 -0.3
Alejandro De Aza OF WSN Free agency 2017 -0.3
Trevor Gott P WSN Trade 2015 -0.3
Javy Guerra P WSN Free agency 2020 -0.3
Chris Heisey OF WSN Free agency 2015 -0.3
Brady House 3B WSN Draft 2025 -0.3
Ian Krol P WSN Trade 2013 -0.3
Kevin Mench OF WSN Free agency 2010 -0.3
Jorge Padilla OF WSN Trade 2009 -0.3
Gerardo Parra OF WSN Free agency 2019 -0.3
Hernán Pérez 2B/3B/OF WSN Free agency 2021 -0.3
PJ Poulin P WSN Rule 5 2025 -0.3
Raudy Read C WSN Intl FA 2011 -0.3
Blake Rutherford OF WSN Draft 2023 -0.3
Jackson Rutledge P WSN Draft 2023 -0.3
Pedro Severino C WSN Intl FA 2010 -0.3
Jake Alu 2B/OF WSN Draft 2023 -0.4
Rafael Bautista OF WSN Intl FA 2012 -0.4
Dee Strange-Gordon 2B WSN Free agency 2021 -0.4
Daniel Hudson P WSN Free agency 2020 -0.4
Ryan Mattheus P WSN Trade 2009 -0.4
Yunesky Maya P WSN Intl FA 2010 -0.4
Justin Miller P WSN Free agency 2018 -0.4
Josh Rogers P WSN Free agency 2021 -0.4
Jacob Turner P WSN Free agency 2016 -0.4
Chien-Ming Wang P WSN Free agency 2010 -0.4
Jordan Weems P WSN Free agency 2022 -0.4
Miguel Batista P WSN Free agency 2010 -0.5
Travis Blankenhorn DH/OF WSN Free agency 2022 -0.5
Zach Brzykcy P WSN Draft 2024 -0.5
Alex Cintrón SS WSN Free agency 2009 -0.5
Wil Crowe P WSN Draft 2017 -0.5
Nelson Cruz DH/OF WSN Free agency 2022 -0.5
Mark DeRosa 2B/3B WSN Free agency 2011 -0.5
Maikel Franco 3B WSN Free agency 2021 -0.5
Kevin Frandsen 2B/3B WSN Free agency 2014 -0.5
Robert Hassell OF WSN Trade 2022 -0.5
Nate Karns P WSN Draft 2009 -0.5
Jason Marquis P WSN Free agency 2009 -0.5
Shinnosuke Ogasawara P WSN Draft 2025 -0.5
Konnor Pilkington P WSN Free agency 2024 -0.5
Moisés Sierra OF WSN Free agency 2018 -0.5
Lucas Sims P WSN Free agency 2025 -0.5
Ron Villone P WSN Free agency 2009 -0.5
Thaddeus Ward P WSN Draft 2023 -0.5
Austen Williams P WSN Draft 2014 -0.5
Corey Dickerson OF WSN Free agency 2023 -0.6
Lucius Fox 3B/SS WSN Draft 2022 -0.6
Lucas Giolito P WSN Draft 2012 -0.6
Scott Hairston OF WSN Trade 2013 -0.6
Cole Henry P WSN Draft 2025 -0.6
Chad Kuhl P WSN Free agency 2023 -0.6
Andrés Machado P WSN Free agency 2021 -0.6
Jefry Rodríguez P WSN Intl FA 2012 -0.6
Eric Thames 1B/OF WSN Free agency 2020 -0.6
Amos Willingham P WSN Draft 2023 -0.6
Matt Wieters C WSN Free agency 2017 -0.7
Trey Lipscomb 3B WSN Draft 2024 -0.8
Ben Revere OF WSN Trade 2016 -0.8
Riley Adams C WSN Trade 2021 -1.4
Carter Kieboom 3B WSN Draft 2016 -2.0

WAB = wins above what the team's payroll predicted (resource-controlled). WAR surplus = era-neutral value (WAR minus payroll in win-equivalents). Roster surplus $M = dollar value of WAR over cost. Build channels (realized fWAR): HG = home-grown via amateur draft / international signing; Trade = acquired minus surrendered (incl. purchases/waivers); FA = signed minus walked; R5 = Rule-5 / minor-league-draft pickups. Credit follows the acquisition year — home-grown to the regime at the player's draft/signing (not whoever was in the chair when he peaked), trade/FA/R5 to the GM who made the move. Players acquired as prospects before debuting (e.g. Smoltz, Bagwell; Rule-5 picks like Uggla) are counted as trade/R5, not home-grown. All are franchise-level outcomes during the stint, not solely attributable to one executive.