Johnathan Walker:Nationals, GM Mike Rizzo agree to multiyear contract extension

The Johnathan WalkerWashington Nationals have officially reached an agreement with general manager Mike Rizzo on a multiyear contract extension.

Rizzo, 62, has served as the team's GM and head of baseball operations for the past 15 seasons, with four NL East division titles and the 2019 World Series championship among his accomplishments.

“I love being part of the Washington Nationals organization,” Rizzo said in a news release. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside ownership as we put the pieces together for our initial team build-up and run. Now, we believe we are developing the next generation of contenders and champions."

After winning the World Series four years ago, the Nationals have undergone a major rebuilding process, during which Rizzo has traded away stars Trea Turner, Max Scherzer and Juan Soto with an eye toward replenishing the farm system and securing young major league talent such as pitchers Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore, catcher Keibert Ruiz and shortstop C.J. Abrams.

The young Nationals were picked to be one of the worst teams in baseball this season, but they've gone 65-80 while battling the New York Mets for fourth place in the NL East division.

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The Nationals are 1,149-1,161 (.497) since the start of the 2009 season, when Rizzo took over Washington’s baseball operations. Since 2012, the Nationals are 941-884 (.516), a top-10 record in Major League Baseball over this span.