DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years

DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years
Whether the lockout ends later this week, later this month or just some time way later down the road, we do already know one significant change that appears to be coming to all of Major League Baseball. For all the rancor between the league and the players over a host of issues, the one hot-button topic they seem to agree on is the designated hitter. Despite more than 120 years of established history with pitchers batting for themselves, the National League is poised to make the DH a permanent...

Tales from the clubhouse: The John McLaren Era

Tales from the clubhouse: The John McLaren Era
I woke up on the morning of June 24, 2011, exhausted from the events of the previous day, and rushed to the airport to catch a flight to Chicago. The Nationals were opening a three-game interleague series against the White Sox, having just won 11 of their last 12 but now employing a temporary manager for the weekend. Jim Riggleman's surprise resignation following a walk-off win over the Mariners at Nationals Park had shocked the baseball world, certainly the baseball-caring portion of...

Former National, fan favorite Michael Morse to take on MASN broadcast booth in Toronto

Former National, fan favorite Michael Morse to take on MASN broadcast booth in Toronto
The MASN broadcast booth will have a familiar face in an unfamiliar role this weekend as the team heads north of the border. Instead of the usual duo of Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo calling the Nationals' three games against the Blue Jays, former Nats player and local fan favorite Michael Morse will take on the role of color analyst alongside play-by-play man Carpenter. Santangelo will be in California for his son's college graduation. Morse, 36, has begun transitioning his career from...

Friday morning news and notes from Toronto

Friday morning news and notes from Toronto
TORONTO - Some Friday morning news and notes for you as the Nationals prepare to play their first series north of the border since a 19-year-old Bryce Harper was asked a "clown question" back in 2012 ... * Erick Fedde's second big league start of the season was less impressive than his first start, but this one was a far tougher assignment. After getting his feet wet against a Padres lineup that scores 3.87 runs per game (sixth-worst in the majors), the rookie right-hander had to go up...

Baker doesn't expect fireworks this weekend (game postponed)

Baker doesn't expect fireworks this weekend (game postponed)
If you're expecting any fireworks this weekend between the Nationals and Giants, Dusty Baker is cautioning you not to get yourself worked up too much. Yes, the last meeting between these clubs included a brawl. But it's been 2 1/2 months since then, and it really didn't stem from any beef between the Nats and Giants as a whole, but rather from San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland, who three years after serving up two playoff homers to Bryce Harper decided to intentionally drill him with...

Tracking down former Nats position players

Tracking down former Nats position players
Baseball rosters are a constantly changing entity. Teams make moves throughout a season and offseason, calling up this player, sending another player down, trading this one away, signing this one off the open market. In the process, a lot of players who become well-known and popular among fans, teammates and media alike disappear, never to be heard from again in these parts. The Nationals, like every other team in baseball, have parted ways with plenty of once-popular players over the years....

Marty Niland: Crazy deadline day for ex-Nat Michael Morse

Marty Niland: Crazy deadline day for ex-Nat Michael Morse
Baseball fans love the thrill of the trade deadline as players move from one team to another, sometimes in head-spinning fashion. One guy whose head may still be spinning from the flurry of deadline deals is former National Michael Morse, who was a member of three different teams, and went from East Coast to West Coast and then back east again, in a span of 48 hours. Here's how it all went down: Morse, who played for the Nationals from 2009-2012, started this season with the Miami Marlins....

Morse, Stanton rock Zimmermann for early homers (Nats lose 8-0)

Morse, Stanton rock Zimmermann for early homers (Nats lose 8-0)
NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Marlins 8, Nationals 0 Recap: This one was over quickly. A three-run homer by former Nats slugger Michael Morse began a Marlins onslaught in the first against right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. In the second, Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich added a two-run triple and right fielder Giancarlo Stanton followed with a titanic two-run homer. All told, Zimmermann gave up eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Need to know: A double by...

Showalter on Davis, the offseason and hitting coach search

Showalter on Davis, the offseason and hitting coach search
Orioles manager Buck Showalter recently played golf with Chris Davis in Texas, and the first baseman revealed that he's received a therapeutic use exemption for Adderall for the 2015 season. Major League Baseball suspended Davis for 25 games on Sept. 12 following a second failed test for the drug. Davis apparently had the exception with the Rangers, but was denied with the Orioles. "That's just what he told me," Showalter said this morning at the 36th annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for...

Orioles' outfield search continues, Phillies offered Byrd and Howard

Orioles' outfield search continues, Phillies offered Byrd and Howard
As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette rushed to the airport in San Diego following the Rule 5 draft - we were on the same flight and he willingly chose a middle seat next to other team officials, while I grabbed an aisle seat and let everyone bump into my shoulder at least once - he didn't sound like a man who expected to strike a deal over the weekend. Duquette joked that I only asked whether he felt an agreement might be close so I'd know if it was safe to make plans. One phone...

Day Four of the Winter Meetings

Day Four of the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO - We've reached the finish line of the 2014 Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The Rule 5 draft will be held at 9 a.m. PST, followed by a frantic race to the airport. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad baseball world. The Orioles apparently will head home with a selection in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft and possibly a pick in the Triple-A phase. Last year, they took Michael Almanzar and Julio Borbon. The earth didn't shake. The only real excitement generated by...

Quick note on Cespedes rumor

Quick note on Cespedes rumor
SAN DIEGO - The media will gather with executive vice president Dan Duquette in about 30 minutes for updates on today's meetings with agents and executives. Duquette may volunteer to shoot down a few rumors and confirm others, depending on whether he's in a generous mood. A report surfaced earlier today that the Orioles are interested in Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. While it makes sense that they'd check on Cespedes after losing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis in free agency, a source...

Markakis' departure leaves O's with payroll flexibility in thin free agent market

Markakis' departure leaves O's with payroll flexibility in thin free agent market
Outfielder Nick Markakis was a fan favorite in Baltimore, but the Orioles did the right thing by not trying to outbid the Atlanta Braves' $44 million contract. It's better to have payroll flexibility than an $11 million outfielder hitting .280 with 12 home runs. The Orioles are going to benefit in the long run from not having Markakis. So what do to next? Prospect Dariel Alvarez needs more time in the minors. A trade for the Braves' Justin Upton or Evan Gattis is possible. Upton is...

Torii Hunter off the board, Morse rumor, more on Markakis

Torii Hunter off the board, Morse rumor, more on Markakis
Torii Hunter is no longer a free agent consideration for the Orioles. Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Twins, according to multiple reports. He's returning to his original team. Hunter spent 11 seasons in Minnesota and included the Twins over the weekend among the clubs that could sign him this winter. However, he appeared to place them below the Orioles, Rangers and Mariners. The preference to play for a contender seemed to elevate the Orioles and Hunter had...

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats
Reading between the lines of Nationals manager Matt Williams' comments in his media session this morning, Ryan Zimmerman could be pointing toward a start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series when the Giants start left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Zimmerman said yesterday that he is comfortable coming off the bench, and that will be his role today in Game 1. Williams opted to start Anthony Rendon at third base and Bryce Harper in left field, so Zimmerman will be a bat in reserve. But...

Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)

Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)
Giants manager Bruce Bochy had nothing but compliments for the Nationals in his Thursday afternoon media session. But that's what you'd expect from a wise veteran manager who is more interested in preparing his club for the National League Division Series than lighting a fire under the opposition. "They have the best record in the National League," Bochy said of the Nats. "You know, they have such a balanced club, starting pitching, bullpen, their lineup. You know, they have been tough on...

Nats meet up with old friend Morse in San Francisco

Nats meet up with old friend Morse in San Francisco
The Nationals reacquainted themselves with an old friend at AT&T Park on Monday, and there's no question that Michael Morse - the slugging first baseman/outfielder who was one of the most popular players on the Nats' 2012 playoff team - is also a big hit in San Francisco. The "May the Morse Be With You" t-shirts distributed by Hunter Pence and worn by his new teammates are one clue. The presence of Morse's old D.C. anthem, A-ha's "Take on Me," over the loudspeakers later tonight...

Let the free agent frenzy begin

Let the free agent frenzy begin
Anyone remember who the Orioles play on opening day next season? Oh, yeah, right. If one kid shows up at my door for Halloween tonight wearing a beard and a Red Sox cap, he's getting a treat from the crappy bag of candy. No mini Snickers or Kit Kat or Hershey bar or Reese's. Enjoy your Dum Dum. Consider yourselves lucky that I'm not handing out dental floss or pocket combs. I actually picked the Red Sox to win the World Series before the playoffs started, but I wasn't going out on a...

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?
While wondering if Orioles manager Buck Showalter can relate to the heat that John Harbaugh is catching from Ravens fans this season ... I'm heading back home this morning after a weekend filled with love, laughs and calories. Nothing beats family. The Orioles will begin interviewing candidates this week for the vacant pitching coach position. I'm not going to anoint a favorite because we don't have the complete list and there are so many factors in play, including the impression made...

Updates on Morse and the coaching staff

Updates on Morse and the coaching staff
Outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse, acquired by the Orioles in an Aug. 30 trade with the Mariners, is expected to undergo surgery on his left wrist after receiving a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic. Morse didn't play after Sept. 22 because of the injury, which he didn't reveal to the Orioles under the final week of the season. He went 3-for-29 with no extra-base hits after the trade. Morse is a pending free agent and the Orioles aren't saying much about the examination, which...