Nationals Farm Authority

I typically only focus on things that the Nationals do, but this story jumped out at me as something fans of the rebuilding process should hope to see coming out from Washington in the near future. Today, the New York Yankees signed two players out of the People’s Republic of China. In doing so, the Yankees become “the first Major League team to sign a player from the People’s Republic of China with approval from the Chinese Baseball Association.”

What bearing does this have on the Nationals?

Well, National President Stan Kasten has repeated time and again that he hopes to capitalize on Washington DC’s presence in the international community as a tool to expand the reach of the Nationals around the globe. Specifically, he has focused on working with the embassies located in and around the city to get the Nationals footprint in as many countries around the world as feasible.

The Yankees established a working relationship with the Chinese Baseball Association in January of this year and it is already paying dividends. Keep in mind that the odds are long that either of the two signings (a catcher and a lefthanded pitcher) will ever make the major leagues, but the first steps have been made and the Yankees are building upon their name recognition yet again.

The Nationals have stated that they personnel working hard to establish a similar presence. Jose Rijo’s complex in the Dominican Republic was a first step the Nationals took in re-establishing an international presence. back in February, Nationals executive Squire Galbreath brokered a working relationship with the Tabasco Olmecas Baseball Club of the Mexican Summer League. And, the Nationals have a scout, Bill Singer, in place in Asia with the goal of accomplishing comparable working arrangements.

As important a tool as the First Year Player Draft will be in rebuilding the Nationals player development system, an international presence deserves equal focus.