Plans at second base

Plans at second base
In two months, the Nationals will head to Viera, Fla., for spring training, and not much is decided about the middle of their infield. Ian Desmond's departure through free agency, the recent trade of Yunel Escobar and Anthony Rendon's upcoming move back to third base have left holes at second base and shortstop. Danny Espinosa is presumed to be the Nationals' opening day shortstop, but that's not a lock. Trea Turner will battle Espinosa in spring training, and if he loses out, the rookie...

Danny Espinosa primed for full-time shot at shortstop

Danny Espinosa primed for full-time shot at shortstop
The Nationals selected Danny Espinosa as a slick-fielding shortstop out of Long Beach State University in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. By the time Espinosa made his major league debut in September 2010, Ian Desmond was already entrenched as the Nationals shortstop, a position he played for six seasons at a high level. But with Desmond leaving via free agency and veteran infielder Yunel Escobar traded to the Angels last week, it finally appears that Espinosa will get his...

Nationals, Reds reportedly in trade talks for Brandon Phillips

Nationals, Reds reportedly in trade talks for Brandon Phillips
It's no secret the Nationals are pursuing a veteran second baseman this offseason. During last week's winter meetings, they made a run at versatile free agent Ben Zobrist - before he chose the Cubs - and were reportedly involved in trade talks with the Pirates for Neil Walker - before he was dealt to the Mets. New Nationals manager Dusty Baker has a connection to the latest second baseman rumored to be headed to Washington. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Nats have engaged in trade...

Rizzo disappointed Heyward passed on offer, talks Escobar trade and adding depth

Rizzo disappointed Heyward passed on offer, talks Escobar trade and adding depth
Outfielder Jason Heyward was the latest of the marquee free agents passing on a lucrative offer from the Nationals, instead signing with another ballclub. Like infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist, Heyward chose to take his talents to Wrigley Field next season. Right-hander Darren O'Day, the best reliever available on the free agent market, gave the Nats their first bit of bad news in free agency a week ago when he decided to stay with the Orioles. General manager Mike Rizzo was disappointed the...

Veterans think Nationals can move past Papelbon-Harper fight distraction

Veterans think Nationals can move past Papelbon-Harper fight distraction
Between mingling with fans, signing autographs and participating in game shows during Winterfest, Nationals players were shuffled through the bowels of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for media sessions. A common question posed to most was how the team deals with the fallout from Jonathan Papelbon's dugout brawl with Bryce Harper as the Nationals proceed into 2016. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has reportedly pursued other closers while attempting to deal Papelbon with no...

Nationals still looking for lefty bat, help up the middle (Shawn Kelley update)

Nationals still looking for lefty bat, help up the middle (Shawn Kelley update)
NASHVILLE - Multiple trips to the disabled list for Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman forced former Nationals manager Matt Williams to shuffle players around his infield throughout last season. Besides playing both middle infield positions, defensive wizard Danny Espinosa even appeared at first base and third base for the first time in his life. "I look at their infield defense, they had everybody on the infield out of position, and that's tough to do," new manager Dusty Baker said during...

Nats reportedly in contention to land versatile free agent Ben Zobrist

Nats reportedly in contention to land versatile free agent Ben Zobrist
NASHVILLE - The Nationals have reportedly made it to the final four in the sweepstakes for versatile free agent Ben Zobrist. The Mets, Giants and Dodgers are the other three teams contending for Zobrist, who won the World Series with the Royals this season after coming over from the Athletics in a trade deadline move. Multiple reports have the 34-year-old Zobrist seeking a four-year deal worth $60 million. He makes his home outside Nashville and is expected to meet with Nationals officials at...

If the Nats land a left-handed bat, where does he play?

If the Nats land a left-handed bat, where does he play?
Judging from the responses in our comments section and on Twitter, there's a significant portion of NatsTown that wants general manager Mike Rizzo to come back from next week's Winter Meetings in Nashville with an outfielder, preferably one who hits left-handed to break up the spate of righty sticks in the Nationals lineup. I'm not sure one will fit into his carry-on, and you know how those bag fees can add up. Just a guess here, but I don't think Rizzo is flying Southwest and paying the...

How interested should the Nationals be in Ben Zobrist?

How interested should the Nationals be in Ben Zobrist?
It wouldn't be the hot stove season if there weren't rumors swirling about. And with the Winter Meeting looming next week in Nashville, the Nationals continue to be strongly linked to one of the more popular free agents out there, utility man extraordinaire Ben Zobrist. See, that's what some fuel on the ol' hot stove fire feels like. Multiple reports over the past few days have indicated that the Nationals, Mets and Giants were among the 20 or so teams that were hot and heavy in pursuit of...

Will the Nationals non-tender any arbitration-eligible players?

Will the Nationals non-tender any arbitration-eligible players?
Tomorrow is another one of those important housekeeping dates on the Major League Baseball offseason calendar. By 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, teams must offer their arbitration-eligible players contracts or non-tender those whose services they're no longer interested in. While some Nationals players have multi-year contracts - think Max Scherzer, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and other guys who helped push the team's 2015 opening day payroll north of $162 million -...

Could Yunel Escobar be one and done in D.C.?

Could Yunel Escobar be one and done in D.C.?
When the Nationals acquired Yunel Escobar from the A's in January, general manager Mike Rizzo said the veteran infielder's lure was his ability to play strong defense at both second base and shortstop, and promised that playing on natural turf at Nationals Park would be a better fit for the now 33-year-old than the unforgiving artificial surface that had hampered him at Tropicana Field, where he played the previous two seasons for the Rays. Escobar's .314/.375/.415 slash line in 139 games...

Ian Desmond rejects qualifying offer

Ian Desmond rejects qualifying offer
Ian Desmond won't play for the Nationals next year. The 30-year-old, who was drafted by the Expos and has played his entire career in Washington, declined the club's $15.8 million qualifying offer today. The Nationals are still waiting on right-hander Jordan Zimmermann to decide on his qualifying offer. The deadline is 5 p.m. today. Desmond enters the free agent market for the first time and is expected to command a multi-year deal worth at least $75 million. The Mets, Padres, Diamondbacks...

All talk about Trea Turner for 2016, but where will Danny Espinosa fit in?

All talk about Trea Turner for 2016, but where will Danny Espinosa fit in?
The Nationals will have to adjust their infield next season with the departure of longtime shortstop Ian Desmond. Of the in-house candidates, should Yunel Escobar, Trea Turner or Danny Espinosa take over? Escobar has played most of his career as a shortstop. Last season, he played third base for the Nationals with Anthony Rendon out to begin the season due to injury. Escobar played 134 games at third base and hit a career-high .314. He had last played third base in 2007 with the Braves for 22...

Danny Espinosa's season likely ends with hamstring tear

Danny Espinosa's season likely ends with hamstring tear
Nationals manager Matt Williams revealed before today's game that Danny Espinosa is "likely done for the season" with a small tear in the attachment of his right hamstring. "It's a very difficult spot and for him to try to ramp up and get to a point where he can play," Williams said. "It's a great risk and if it tears any more at that spot, then it's a long, long rehab." The versatile infielder first experienced pain in his hamstring while racing to the plate to score the eventual...

Max Scherzer starts Wednesday, Danny Espinosa suffers hamstring tear

Max Scherzer starts Wednesday, Danny Espinosa suffers hamstring tear
Nationals manager Matt Williams has shuffled his pitching rotation a bit after last night's rainout. Right-hander Tanner Roark, who was scheduled to start in Game 2, now moves to the finale on Thursday afternoon. Williams will keep his ace Max Scherzer on normal rest, sending the righty to the mound tomorrow night. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is due to take the hill for Friday's opener against the Phillies in what could be his final start at Nationals Park. Zimmermann, 29, becomes a free...

Ryan Zimmerman still not able to swing bat, Danny Espinosa has strained hamstring

Ryan Zimmerman still not able to swing bat, Danny Espinosa has strained hamstring
With the season winding down, the chances of seeing Ryan Zimmerman play again during the 2015 regular season are dwindling. Zimmerman has been out of the lineup since September 7 against the Mets. He has been listed as day-to-day with left oblique soreness. Every day the media comes into pregame and asks Nationals manager Matt Williams if Zimmerman has returned to baseball activities. Specifically, has he been swinging a bat? "No, not yet," said Williams. "We were thinking about it over the...

Nationals game blog: Short-handed Nats look to end losing skid

Nationals game blog: Short-handed Nats look to end losing skid
For the second time in the last three games, the Nationals go to battle without two of their top hitters in the lineup. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman will miss his fourth consecutive contest with a sore left oblique that he injured during an at-bat against the Braves last weekend. Third baseman Yunel Escobar, who went 2-for-4 and scored the Nationals' only run last night, was a late scratch tonight with a stomach bug. Escobar missed Wednesday's finale with the Mets after his fever spiked to...

Nationals overpower Marlins in 5-1 win

Nationals overpower Marlins in 5-1 win
Ryan Zimmerman crushed a solo homer into the Red Porch at Nationals Park to lead off the second inning. It was Zimmerman's 12th home run of the season. He has 11 RBIs over his last six games. Danny Espinosa and Jordan Zimmermann reached on bunt singles to start the second. After Jayson Werth grounded into a double play, Anthony Rendon ripped a base hit to right, scoring Espinosa. Update: Rendon led off the sixth with a bloop single to right. Three batters later, Clint Robinson belted a deep...

Nats lineup again without Yunel Escobar and Michael A. Taylor (Marlins lineup added)

Nats lineup again without Yunel Escobar and Michael A. Taylor (Marlins lineup added)
Here are the starting lineups for Saturday's second game of the series between the Nationals and Marlins. Amazingly, the second to last place Marlins have a 6-4 record versus the Nationals this season. One reason why the Mets have the lead in the NL East is they do well against teams with losing records. Danny Espinosa is back at second base tonight while Clint Robinson gets the start in left field. But Yunel Escobar and Michael A. Taylor are still not in the lineup for the second consecutive...

Williams on Span's hip surgery; Taylor "thankful" knee is OK; Escobar update

Williams on Span's hip surgery; Taylor "thankful" knee is OK; Escobar update
Nationals manager Matt Williams reported that center fielder Denard Span is out for the season because he will have to undergo surgery on Tuesday. "He's going to have left hip surgery, it's a labrum surgery," Williams said. "He has some damage in there that needs to get fixed." Span has dealt with core surgery recovery, his back and now his hip. Were the Nationals given any answer as to how this latest injury occurred? "Don't know. Don't know how it happens," Williams said. "This...