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Several Nationals players about to become free agents

By Todd Dybas

Several Nationals players about to become free agents originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Michael A. Taylor moving into free agency Thursday dropped the Nationals’ 40-man roster to 33. It’s about to take another large dip.

The Nationals are in the middle of a personnel purge because their messy 2020 has prompted them to pivot hard with the 40-man roster. Several veterans and familiar names are going to be out. The 40-man roster will probably drop all the way to 25 before it increases to 28. Stephen Strasburg, Starlin Castro and Seth Romero will be added back after being removed from the 60-day injured list.

Here is the list of those likely to become free agents at 9 a.m. the morning after the World Series ends:

Adam Eaton. After struggling in 2020, the right fielder’s $10.5 million option is unlikely to be picked up. If the team declines it, Eaton will become a free agent for the first time in his career. He leaves Washington with a World Series ring and a trio of injury-marred seasons.

Aníbal Sánchez. Like Eaton, his $12 million team option is likely to be declined. Sánchez was paid $8 million in 2019 to be the fourth starter and finished with 3.7 bWAR. That’s a steal. Last season, he looked like a veteran pitcher who had run out of gas. At 36 years old, his time in Washington is up.

Eric Thames. A dismal year at the plate, in the field and off the field left Thames frustrated. He was part of a memorable Zoom call with reporters after making a crucial error in a double header when he dropped a throw to first. Thames never found a rhythm as the team’s left-handed platoon option at first base. His $4 million mutual option is unlikely to be picked up.

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Sean Doolittle. The Nationals’ former closer finished the season on the injured list because of an oblique injury. He is going to Seattle to workout during the winter in an attempt to get back his fastball, which waned much of the season before appearing to be on the way back toward the end of it. Washington does need left-handed bullpen help. Perhaps Doolittle comes back on a prove-it deal.

Asdrúbal Cabrera. The veteran switch-hitter became a crucial find late in 2019. He fit right in, hit well and was a calm presence. The Nationals want to become younger. So, the 34-year-old Cabrera’s second stint with the organization was probably his last.

Kurt Suzuki. At 37, Suzuki’s time in the major leagues may be over. He still shows flashes of offense, but his body has also taken a beating after 14 years behind the plate. The Nationals do need a second catcher to pair with Yan Gomes. It just won’t be Suzuki.

Josh Harrison. He became an important figure this year on and off the field after being signed during the season. Davey Martinez constantly commented on how much he liked Harrison’s energy and presence. Expect him to sign a deal to return.

Brock Holt. A couple of hitting streaks helped Holt finish with a low-power .262 average in Washington. He will hop back into the free agent market following his rough start in Milwaukee and brief stop in Washington.

When all of these players are off the books, the Nationals will have a huge gap in their roster. Mike Rizzo expected to start work on next season the second the regular season ended. It’s needed, because there is a lot to be done.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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