NEW YORK -- Dave Martinez said the future is bright for the Nationals, and he expressed his gratitude to be part of it after the team signed its manager to a multiyear contract extension Tuesday.

The Nationals announced the deal Tuesday but did not disclose terms. Washington is also close to a two-year extension with general manager Mike Rizzo, per a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required). The club has not confirmed Rizzo's extension.

Martinez, 58, took over as the Nationals’ manager before the 2018 season and has gone 378-455 (.454) with the club. Washington’s best season under his tutelage came in 2019, when it rallied from a 19-31 start to make the postseason and beat the Brewers, Dodgers, Cardinals and Astros en route to its first World Series title.

While Washington has since experienced some lean years thanks to the departures of Anthony Rendon, Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Juan Soto via trade and free agency, the club has performed better this season. The Nationals entered play Tuesday with a record of 57-68, which has already eclipsed their win total from last season (55-107).

“The players play hard every day. It has been a lot of fun,” Martinez said. “I’ve enjoyed every bit of being here. As you know, I love the fans of D.C. … To be able to do something that I love to do and doing a lot better with it right now the way the guys are playing, I really believe the future is bright.”   

In a statement, Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner said Martinez represents the organization with class on and off the field.      

“We are especially proud of the way the club has played since the end of June, and the team’s play is a direct reflection of Davey’s leadership,” Lerner said. “He is determined, passionate and the right person to lead our current group of players as well as the next wave of talent coming to Washington, D.C.”

The Nationals are also beginning to reap the rewards of their trades. Starter Josiah Gray, who was acquired from the Dodgers in the team’s July 2021 trade of Scherzer, is 7-10 with a 3.96 ERA and was Washington’s representative at this year’s All-Star Game.

The Nationals have also had some young position players take a leap this year, such as outfielder Lane Thomas, catcher Keibert Ruiz and shortstop CJ Abrams, all of whom were acquired in trades.

“I love the progression. I love the process of what we are going through, and watching them go out every day and do what they are doing has been a lot of fun,” Martinez said.  “We are going to continue to get better. I know that. There is a lot more to this than what we see. Those guys down in the Minor Leagues are continuing to get better, so we are excited about that.”

After hearing the news of Martinez’s extension, Nationals players approached the skipper with hugs and congratulations.

Martinez comes to the table with a positive attitude. For example, long before the season started, Martinez often told Thomas how good he could be.

“He has been really positive with me since coming over from the Cardinals [in July 2021], and he instilled a lot of confidence and kind of talked me up,” Thomas said. “It gives you a lot of confidence as a player knowing a guy has a lot of faith in you.”

Said Abrams, “He’s a great manager. That is my guy. We built a great relationship over the past year. I look forward to keeping it going. He believes in this team, and it shows. He puts you out there and lets you play and do your thing.” 

Outfielder Stone Garrett started the season as a platoon player, but he now is facing all pitching. Garrett called Martinez a player’s manager.

“All he asked of you is just bring energy every day and compete,” Garrett said.  “He never gets mad at you unless you are showing that you are not playing to your full potential.”    

More reinforcements could be on the way as well, as Washington ranked No. 8 in MLB Pipeline’s midseason prospect rankings that were unveiled last week. The club has two top-10 overall prospects in outfielder Dylan Crews (who was recently promoted to Double-A) at No. 4 overall and outfielder James Wood at No. 7.

Rizzo has been with the Nationals since 2006, first serving as the team’s assistant general manager before being promoted to general manager in 2009. In 2013, he was promoted to president of baseball operations/general manager.