As Lerner family ponders selling franchise, Washington Nationals focused to 'go play good baseball'

The family that has owned the Washington Nationals since 2006 is exploring the possibility of selling the team.

The manager said before the game at Atlanta that Mark Lerner called him to inform him of the news. In the past, the family had said they would never sell the team.

I was shocked that the family had to make those decisions. I will support in any way possible. My relationship with the Lerner family is not going away. We are still in this. I know they are very committed to this organization.

The Washington Post reported that the Lerners had hired a firm to find potential investors to buy part or all of the Nationals.

Forbes valued the team at $2 billion. Steve Cohen bought the New York Mets in 2020.

The Nationals were bought for $450 million by the Lerners 16 years ago after they moved the team to the U.S. capital from Montreal. The franchise won a World Series title.

He met with the coaches Monday to discuss the news with them. He wants to keep it from being a distraction.

The organization is part of the circle of trust, and the main focus is to get the boys ready to play baseball.