1. There's no big deal to me. The confusion started when I said that I was not surprised that a small market team like the Nats signed Jackson (since I already have said that), then MVP said that DC is not a small market place. A big market place/territory and a big market team are different concepts. You can split your market place/territory (local (DC)/country (US)/globe). Your roll is totally different in every business aspect in those territories (local (DC)/country (US)/globe). A big market team plays in all those scenarios (local (DC)/country (US)/globe) and its business impacts are very significant in every aspect/level. They are often related at least in a country level penetration. Clearly, Nats do not have that kind of penetration. No even in their own home town. Hence they are not a big market team. It is Conclusive.
2. As I said, big/global market teams are a handful in professional sports around the world beyond the sport. Yankees, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Lakers, Cowboys, among others are big market teams. They play in the global market as well. Those teams (Yankees, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Lakers, Cowboys) are in that category (Big market teams). Clearly, the Nats are not in that category. You say that Forbes rate them in the #16? Is that the rank of a big market team?, I don't think so.
3. The size of a market team is correlated with the media market. I already posted the definition. Nats' media market in the US/world wide is small. DC market is not even ranked in the top 5 in the US, but it is still interesting market to explore. On the other hand, What is the DC's media market percentage in the US? World Wide? Insignificant. Make the maths. NY and Bos are world-wide/big market teams since they cover big media markets and large market places/territories (local/country (US)/globe). Trying to pretend that the Nats are in the same level is just insane.
4. MLB is a globalized league. Sportive/business-concerns/strategy/factors play an important roll outside the US. NY, Boston, Philli, among a few others are frequently transmitted on ESPN and Fox Sports in their Latin American networks since they are big market teams. They have a huge fan base in other countries. Nats are not in that position since they are not a big market team. They are rarely transmitted on National TV (US) and far less world wide. One of the few teams that didn't have a Spanish web site version was the Boston Red Sox. Last year, they released their Spanish version. Why did they do that? They want to attend other markets with more strength like NY. Adrian's contract was a key driver, you bet. 180 M payroll teams can not live only with the gate or their local market. They need to expand their horizons. This is a very good way to do it. Expanding to other countries; selling merchandise/Tv rights/ more tickets/ advertising/ etc. In some countries like Venezuela, Dominicana, Nicaragua, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, etc. baseball is the # 1 sport. In other countries like Japon, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Netherlands, etc. this sport has a huge fan base. Maybe you do not realize the important of other markets since you live in the US. When you merge all those markets the business/financial impact is significant. Hell, they reach 180 countries.
4. About Jackson, I already emitted my opinion. Worthless discusion at this point since he is not longer a option.
BL. The Washington Nationals are not a big market team. That's my point.