For Nats' possible offseason road map, look back to 2009-10

For Nats' possible offseason road map, look back to 2009-10
The last time the Nationals found themselves in this position - 95-plus losses, a franchise rebuild - Mike Rizzo had just completed his first season as a major league general manager. His 2009 club was a mess, a 103-loss train wreck made up of parts left over from Jim Bowden's tumultuous tenure, with an in-season managerial change (Manny Acta to Jim Riggleman) but a No. 1 overall pick ready to be spent on a once-in-a-generation right-hander from San Diego. In discussing his decision to embark...

Williams on Walters' "big potential" in Cleveland, Rizzo on 2011 trade that got him to Nats

Williams on Walters' "big potential" in Cleveland, Rizzo on 2011 trade that got him to Nats
The Nationals decided to trade future potential for playoff experience and depth for their infield on Thursday, sending prospect Zach Walters to the Cleveland Indians for veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Manager Matt Williams said Walters thought he was in trouble when his skipper called him into the office early Thursday to deliver the news. "Shocked as anybody else would (be)," Williams said. "I said, 'No,' " when Walters suggested he might have done something wrong. "We've made...

Zach Walters promoted to Triple-A Syracuse

Zach Walters promoted to Triple-A Syracuse
Making his second move of the season, shortstop Zach Walters has been promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, Nationals director of player development Doug Harris confirmed to MASNSports.com. Walters hit .293 in 43 games for Double-A Harrisburg, smacking 11 doubles, four triples, six homers and 19 RBIs. He scored 23 runs and walked eight times with one stolen base for the Senators. But what is more important is that he is a shortstop, and with the uncertainty of Ian Desmond's oblique injury and Steve...

Season at quarter mark, but a lot can change

Season at quarter mark, but a lot can change
With a quarter of the season in the books, the Orioles and Nationals are turning heads and bringing hope for a summer of excitement. But it's too early to label the Orioles and Nationals serious contenders for at least another three months. The last two seasons provide proof that surprise teams can begin to slip as early as June and as late as September. Nobody expected the Cleveland Indians to contend last season in the American League Central, but on May 23, they were in first place with a...

Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"

Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"
The Nationals acquired minor league shortstop Sammy Solis lived in the same dormitory as a freshman with Walters at the University of San Diego, and they spent three seasons as teammates on the Toreros. "Walters is a textbook player," Solis said. "He has got the build, the arm, the speed and the plate presence. Once he gains experience and is able to put it all together, he will be a big leaguer. It would be hard to find someone with better tools than him." The 6-foot-2, 195-lb.,...

With De La Rosa gone, could deal for Marquis with Rockies be possible?

With De La Rosa gone, could deal for Marquis with Rockies be possible?
The Colorado Rockies lost left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a torn ligament in his elbow Tuesday. He will have to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and will be out for at least one year. With starting pitcher Jason Marquis having a very consistent start for the Nationals this season, his stock will not be any higher at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Washington could be able to cash in if they want to go after some solid leadoff prospects in the Colorado farm system. The...

Marquis upset, but understands pitching change against Orioles

Marquis upset, but understands pitching change against Orioles
BALTIMORE, Md. - Nationals starter Jason Marquis was the beneficiary of six runs early on from the offense for his second straight start, but this time he was not around long enough to factor into the decision. It was the first no decision for Marquis since way back on April 10. Marquis managed to get through the first two frames unscathed, but the Orioles scored three runs in the third inning, benefiting from a Roger Bernadina misplay in center field that allowed two runs to score with two...

Lannan learning to battle through early adversity

Lannan learning to battle through early adversity
Nationals' left-hander John Lannan fought through Monday night's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates when everything wasn't clicking like he had hoped. He was giving up base hits. His fastball wasn't locating, ending up high in the zone. The Pirates had chances to blow the game open early. "I felt good but I was just up," Lannan said. "I told myself to take a deep breath and get down. That is where I am most effective and that is where I am going to get groundballs. That is what I...

Dave Nichols: Is Jason Marquis a key to Nats' future success?

Dave Nichols: Is Jason Marquis a key to Nats' future success?
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis had a rough outing last night against the Philadelphia Phillies, getting knocked around in the fifth and sixth innings, leading to another loss against the bullies of the National League East. The loss drops the Nats' record for the season to 14-16 through 30 games. Two losses to start this 10-day, nine-game road trip, with the prospect of facing Roy Halladay tonight, is probably a bad omen if you believe in those things. But in the bigger...

Marquis confident as he makes season debut tonight against Fish

Marquis confident as he makes season debut tonight against Fish
Nationals right-hander Jason Marquis won his last start at Sun Life Stadium on Aug. 30, 2010, but he has a 7.07 career ERA in South Florida. Marquis hopes to repeat the most recent past as he takes the mound in his season debut tonight against the Florida Marlins. Marquis was very disappointed at the start he had to the 2010 season, and was determined in the offseason to put in the work necessary to come in ready to go in camp. Last season was Marquis' first losing campaign since 2006, going...

Kimball ready to make big impression in Viera

Kimball ready to make big impression in Viera
Nationals pitcher Cole Kimball has settled in nicely in his first big league camp and is ready to go for today's initial full team workout. Kimball pitched well over last summer and then saved the championship game of the Arizona Fall League. That experience helped him for this week and he is thrilled to be in Viera, Fla., now. "This is awesome for me," Kimball said. "Arizona was beneficial because I only had one month off so I didn't have to build back arm strength. I didn't lose it...

Riggleman, McCatty agree: "strongest" rotation since their arrival

Riggleman, McCatty agree: "strongest" rotation since their arrival
Nationals pitchers and catchers report Tuesday in Viera, Fla., with the most talented group since the team moved to Washington. That might not be saying much considering the struggles the team has had, but you still have to be impressed with the work general manager Mike Rizzo has done to assemble two dozen pitchers that will compete for a chance at the 25-man for opening day. The sheer number of pitchers available to pitching coach Steve McCatty made him downright giddy earlier this month as...

Marquis ready to repeat good start

Marquis ready to repeat good start
Nationals right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis (0-6, 11.39) takes the hill tonight as the Nats look to salvage their final game of the season against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.56) at Nats Park. Marquis says his start against Philadelphia felt more like he wanted for the past month. "Day by day and game by game I am starting to feel a lot better with my delivery and my mechanics. I am starting to get a lot more confidence in everything. "It is about getting...

Marquis: "I will be out 8-10 weeks"

Marquis: "I will be out 8-10 weeks"
Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart gave me some quick insight on veteran Nats pitcher Jason Marquis and his outing Tuesday in Woodbridge. Jason told the media today it is a strong possibility he will need surgery to clean up bone chips in his elbow. He said he felt a lot of pain this morning and expects to be out 8 to 10 weeks. Menhart on Jason Marquis' pitching Tuesday in Woodbridge: "His velocity was not quite there from what I remembered from the past. He told me he...

Game 2 preview: Jason Marquis

Game 2 preview: Jason Marquis
Starting pitcher Jason Marquis makes his Nats Park and season debut in a Nationals uniform Wednesday night against lefthander Cole Hamels and the Phillies. Last year, Jason was 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA for the Colorado Rockies. He had an especially brilliant start to the season that garnered him an All-Star selection. Jason was 10-5 through June 30th last season with two complete games to help Colorado climb back in the race with the Dodgers. Marquis has had six straight seasons with at least...

Nationals in 2011 and Winter Caravan Update

Nationals in 2011 and Winter Caravan Update
In my mind (that's scary), I sometimes draw parallels between recruiting in college basketball to free agent shopping in Major League baseball. A good example of this is a collegiate team that has a great recruiting class one season of say five outstanding freshmen. The team improves and plays better that season after two miserable seasons. Then in 2011, the team only has a pair of scholarships available. But they go out and get two pieces that are more precise to what they need, and they...

Stammen wants to start for the Nats

Stammen wants to start for the Nats
I checked in with Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen in Dayton, Ohio as he watched his Dayton Flyers play the George Washington Colonials in college basketball Wednesday night (Flyers won 66-51). Stammen took me on a tour of his alma mater, showing me the campus, the student housing known affectionately as "the Ghetto" and the Flyers' baseball stadium. He also joined me at halftime to talk Nats baseball as he prepares for Viera. Thank you to Federal News Radio and the Nationals flagship for...

Marquis not satisfied with .500 season

Marquis not satisfied with .500 season
As we countdown to spring training 2010, let's put a spotlight today on pitcher Jason Marquis, the newest front line starter for the Nats. I had talked to Ryan Speier during NatsFest, who like Marquis, came over from the Colorado Rockies. Speier said some of his breaking pitches didn't do what he expected they would do at 5,280 feet, so he had to adjust a little bit and become more of a power pitcher. I had a chance to speak with Jason with other reporters at last month's NatsFest. I...