ST. LOUIS — The new leader of the Washington Nationals, Mike DeBartolo, made his entrance from the tunnel beneath Busch Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. He walked into the visiting dugout and took a seat on the bench, pausing briefly to assess the best position for the cameras, lights, and microphones that surrounded him. Although parts of his new role as interim general manager are familiar, this particular moment was new territory for him.
In his first public address in this pivotal role, DeBartolo expressed gratitude towards former general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, both of whom were dismissed following the team's disappointing performance, which saw them fall 16 games below .500. He also thanked the ownership group, including the Lerner, Tannenbaum, and Cohen families. During a 17-minute speech, DeBartolo outlined a clear vision for the future of the Nationals, signaling a departure from the conventional approach that had characterized the franchise.
“It’s time to do things differently,” DeBartolo stated emphatically. He highlighted the potential for increased use of data, technology, and innovation at every level of the organization. “We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, and I believe there are ways to better integrate it into our processes,” he elaborated. His intent is to lead this crucial transformation within the Nationals.
With the Washington Nationals set to have the first pick in the upcoming MLB Draft on Sunday, and with the trade deadline approaching at the end of the month, DeBartolo noted that he would have the final say in these significant decisions. “The owners have empowered me to make decisions in these areas, and I’m genuinely excited about it,” he remarked.
At just 41 years old, DeBartolo brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He grew up in the Boston area and earned his graduate degree from Columbia Business School. Having been with the Nationals since 2012, he started as an intern and quickly established himself within the organization, eventually becoming the assistant general manager in 2019. His analytical approach has been a defining characteristic of his tenure, especially as he navigated the complexities of arbitration and the collective bargaining agreement.
DeBartolo has played a crucial role in the Nationals' operations, particularly in the 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres, which resulted in a promising return of young talents including James Wood and CJ Abrams. Despite his close work with Rizzo, insiders describe DeBartolo as an innovator with a strong analytical mindset, setting him apart from his predecessor.
In his introductory remarks, DeBartolo emphasized the need for the Nationals to adopt a more data-driven approach in their draft and development systems, which have struggled since 2012. He expressed confidence in the coaching staff's willingness to embrace a new philosophy that prioritizes data integration into player evaluations and medical assessments.
Moreover, DeBartolo has been in close contact with Mark Lerner since 2014, which has fostered a strong relationship with the ownership group. He assured fans that the owners are committed to building a competitive team and are open to exploring diverse strategies for success. “There are numerous ways to invest in the club, whether through staffing, technology, or player acquisitions,” he noted, underscoring the importance of thoughtful investment in building a championship-caliber team.
DeBartolo acknowledged that he has not yet had time to reflect on the personal implications of this transition, given the busy schedule ahead. He has already met with everyone in the baseball operations team and is recognized as a strong communicator. With the draft and trade deadline looming, his focus remains on the immediate challenges rather than personal job security, although he expressed a desire to continue in the role long-term.
Before the game on Tuesday, the Nationals announced the appointment of Henry Blanco as the new bench coach and Bob Henley as the major league field coordinator. DeBartolo indicated that the departures of Rizzo and Martinez were significant enough that he does not anticipate any further changes to the coaching staff or the front office at this time.
As DeBartolo prepares for his flight back to Washington for draft meetings, his vision for the Nationals becomes clear. While his ultimate goal aligns with Rizzo’s — to cultivate a consistent contender — the approach he advocates emphasizes the need for real change. “The fans are right to be frustrated,” he admitted. “We have a lot of exciting young players to build around, but we need to step up our game significantly. I am eager to introduce a fresh perspective, integrating more data, technology, and innovation into our decision-making processes across the organization.”
