LAS VEGAS - The Phillies came into the offseason promising to spend money to add pitching, defense and a power bat for the lineup. On Tuesday, the second day of baseball's Winter Meetings at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the Phillies agreed to terms with outfielder Andrew McCutchen on a three-year, $50 million deal, pending a physical. But even with that kind of spending, reports are that the Phillies are could sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. Phillies ownership has a target on its...

MLB.com's top 100 prospects had three Nationals players on their list, including center fielder Victor Robles at No. 6. Also making the list was outfielder Juan Soto at No. 29 and shortstop Carter Kieboom at No. 90. I checked in with MLB Network analyst and former Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd to break down each of these players. O'Dowd got the chance to see Robles play first-hand in the Arizona Fall League. "I think they have a future star on their hands," O'Dowd said. "I...

Baseball is considered a slow sport. All the discussions on how to get young people to pay attention to the game recently are centered around pace of play, but it sure does seem to move fast at times. A week ago leadoff hitter and shortstop was the least of the Nationals' concerns and this week it has moved to the top of the docket. With a 9 1/2-game lead in the division and every division rival looking like a seller this deadline, the Nationals place atop the division is as secure as it is...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals and Pirates continue negotiations for a potential trade of center fielder Andrew McCutchen to D.C. Last week, right-hander Reynaldo Lopez and minor league center fielder Victor Robles appeared to be a part of the initial talks between the clubs. Fast-forward to this week and the deal that sent Chris Sale from the White Sox to Boston. The latest is the Nationals apparently balked at an offering that included Robles and right-hander Lucas Giolito, a source...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Day Three of the Winter Meetings has arrived, and the Nationals roster ... well, it hasn't changed at all since this event officially kicked off Monday morning. Which isn't to say the roster won't change before the event officially ends after Thursday morning's Rule 5 draft. And even if it doesn't, there's no reason to believe it won't change as the remainder of the offseason plays out. In fact, recent Nationals history suggests just that. Trea Turner and Joe Ross...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Following the White Sox's decision to trade Chris Sale to the Red Sox, the Nationals' focus has shifted to the possibility of dealing for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Talks with the Pirates regarding McCutchen were back on and a meeting was scheduled in the afternoon, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. The source also confirmed the Dodgers continued to express interest in McCutchen, that no deal was imminent,and talks were "fluid." Last...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals came to the Winter Meetings having already begun trade talks with the Pirates for outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the White Sox for left-hander Chris Sale. They've continued those talks since arriving at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, getting a better sense of what those two clubs are seeking in a deal. The end result as of early Monday evening? No trades have been made, and the asking price for both players remains high. "We've had...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Winter Meetings officially open for business this morning - no, anything you saw or read about yesterday at the Gaylord National Resort didn't officially happen - and so the rumors will begin to fly fast and furious through the lobby here. Whether the Nationals make official news these next four days or just continue to find themselves the subject of potential news remains to be seen. But there's certainly a sense among everyone that they are primed to do...

For the next four days, Washington will be the center of the baseball universe. The question around here is whether the Nationals will be the center of attention at the Winter Meetings being held in their backyard. Few teams around the sport have the potential to be in the spotlight as much as the Nationals do this week at baseball's annual offseason event, held for the first time at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, a mere seven miles south of Nationals Park. The hometown...

Friday turned out to be a busy day for the Nationals, but not for the reason many were expecting. There was no trade with the Pirates for Andrew McCutchen, not yet at least. But there was a trade with the Padres for Derek Norris. And there was the non-tendering of Ben Revere, coinciding with the tendering of Danny Espinosa. What does it all mean in the bigger picture? Some thoughts on each of the moves (and non-moves)... * The McCutchen trade didn't happen yesterday, which may have prompted...

The Nationals and Pirates have progressed in talks about a trade that would bring star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to D.C., but the two sides haven't yet agreed on the full package of players the deal would require, and the cost figures to be extensive. Two names that have come up, according to sources familiar with the discussions, are Reynaldo Lopez and Victor Robles, two of the Nationals' top prospects. Even then, one source said the Pirates might not agree to the trade unless a third...

The Nationals went to work early against Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett, who entered tonight with the fourth-best ERA in the majors at 1.89. Denard Span pulled a groundball single to right to lead off the first. Anthony Rendon gave the Nats runners at the corners with no outs on a base knock to right. And Yunel Escobar followed with sharp groundout to Pirates shortstop Jody Mercer, easily scoring Span. Two batters later, Wilson Ramos delivered his 10th double of the season on a shot to right-center...

Had the Nationals put together a stronger season than they did, and had Jayson Werth not missed a month with a hamstring injury, the veteran outfielder might very well have played a major factor in the National League MVP voting. Instead, Werth finished 13th in the NL MVP vote, which was won by Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Werth received 20 points overall, and the highest he came in on any ballot was seventh. The Nats right fielder posted a strong .318/.398/.532 slash line with 25...

PITTSBURGH - Get ready for some offensive numbers that will wow you. They might also make you shake your head in disgust. Over 24 career games against the Nationals, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen is now batting .455 with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs. McCutchen has gone 2-for-2 tonight with a solo home run and a single, accounting for the lone Pirates run off Ross Detwiler and two-thirds of Pittsburgh's hits on the evening. It was really enjoyable watching McCutchen take cuts in the...

If there happens to be any issues with the Pirates' team charter, delaying tonight's flight to Detroit, I'm pretty sure the Nationals would be willing to pay for a commercial ticket for Andrew McCutchen. At this point, I think they'll do whatever it takes to get the guy out of D.C. McCutchen has worn out the Nationals in his career, and that didn't change today. The Pirates' center fielder went 2-for-4 with two home runs against the Nats tonight, the second of which came in the sixth...