Notable ex-Nationals left off 2021 Hall of Fame ballot

Notable ex-Nationals left off 2021 Hall of Fame ballot
The 2021 Hall of Fame ballot officially was announced Monday, and though there are 25 notable names on the list the most notable thing about this year's ballot might just be what's not on there: a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. None of the 14 new additions to the ballot are guaranteed to reach the 75 percent vote threshold necessary for induction. And even among the 11 returning players who have the best case for induction, there's nobody you can say with absolute certainty will be elected. Curt...

Saying goodbye to LaRoche and Soriano (updated with 40-man roster moves)

Saying goodbye to LaRoche and Soriano (updated with 40-man roster moves)
We've assumed for a while now that Denard Span would be back with the Nationals next season, with his $9 million being a relative bargain after the excellent 2014 campaign put up by the center fielder. It's now official. Span's club option was picked up by the Nats yesterday, ensuring that Span will return for 2015. The club will retain its leadoff hitter and its center fielder, meaning two very important roles are accounted for. We've also assumed for a little while now that neither Adam...

Nats exercise 2015 option on Span, decline options on LaRoche and Soriano

Nats exercise 2015 option on Span, decline options on LaRoche and Soriano
The Nationals have exercised their $9 million club option on center fielder Denard Span for the 2015 season, Span confirmed this afternoon in a text message. "Very excited about returning," Span said. The Nationals also announced that they have declined to exercise the options on first baseman Adam LaRoche and right-hander Rafael Soriano. Both will become free agents. The decision to pick up Span's option was an easy one for the Nats after the 30-year-old outfielder hit .302/.355/.416 during...

Some of this, some of that

Some of this, some of that
The baseball world was hit with some awful news yesterday, as Cardinals prospect Oscar Tavares and his girlfriend were killed in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic. Tavares was just 22, and only two weeks ago, he hit a game-tying home run late in Game 2 of the Cardinals' National League Championship Series against the Giants, leading to an eventual St. Louis win. It was Tavares' first career postseason homer, and if not for this tragic accident, quite a few more were likely on the...

Taking a look at the relief options

Taking a look at the relief options
Yesterday, I discussed the Nationals bullpen, and how they could look to add to that already strong group this offseason, either via free agency or a trade. The Nats have plenty of talented arms in their system, but that's certainly an area where you can never have enough talent. And don't be shocked if the Nats do choose to bolster their relief corps this offseason. As I mentioned yesterday, the Nats will have Rafael Soriano's contract coming off the books this offseason, as they almost...

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not
The Nationals' Natonal League Division Series roster has been announced and features 12 pitchers (three left-handed, nine right-handed) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders). There had been some question as to whether or not reliever Rafael Soriano would make the NLDS roster. The veteran right-hander has indeed made the Nats' group of 25. Instead, the Nationals left Ross Detwiler off the roster. He played an important role in keeping the Nationals in the...

NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams

NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams
Wilson Ramos may play in his first postseason game tomorrow, and could catch right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who will be making his playoff debut in the opening game of the best-of-five National League Division Series. October inexperience aside, Ramos had an interesting response when he was asked this afternoon whether Strasburg was mature enough the the marquee assignment. "That's a good question, because it's not easy starting the first game of the playoffs," said Ramos, who missed the...

Williams discusses Nats' 15-7 loss

Williams discusses Nats' 15-7 loss
The Nationals concluded their four-game-in-two-day stretch tonight by getting pounded by the Marlins 15-7, but that means nothing. Matt Williams' ball club had already clinched home-field advantage through the National League side of the playoffs earlier today by way of their 4-0 win over Miami, so the nightcap was meaningless from a standings perspective. The Nats got in their work, got a couple regulars some at-bats to stay fresh, and emerged healthy after a really rough last 48...

Is Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster?

Is Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster?
Is deposed Nationals closer Rafael Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster for the National League Division Series? Two weeks ago, when Soriano was removed from ninth-inning duties after a terrible stretch since the All-Star break, I'd have told you no (in fact, I wrote that in response to several regular commenters on our blogs). The reasons were simple: Soriano had a track record, the Nationals are a veteran-laden club and first-year manager Matt Williams is a players' skipper who...

Williams recaps Nats' 6-2 win over Marlins

Williams recaps Nats' 6-2 win over Marlins
MIAMI - Can't get much more of a well-rounded win than tonight's victory over the Marlins. Gio Gonzalez threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs, seven Nationals had at least one hit, the defense was solid and the baserunning was aggressive and smart in a 6-2 win over Miami. Gonzalez continued his string of solid outings by pitching well in his hometown in front of lots of family members and friends, Bryce Harper had three hits, and Craig Stammen and Rafael Soriano combined to...

Quick notes on the playoff rotation, today's lineup, who makes October roster

Quick notes on the playoff rotation, today's lineup, who makes October roster
The Nationals are the 2014 National League East division champions. Tonight, it's likely that manager Matt Williams will give several regulars the day off. The Braves had scheduled right-hander Alex Wood. Here's a possible starting scenario for the Nationals tonight: Starting pitcher - right-hander Blake Treinen Catcher - Sandy Leon First base - Tyler Moore Second base - Asdrubal Cabrera Shortstop - Danny Espinosa Third base - Kevin Frandsen Left field - Scott Hairston Center field -...

Williams speaks after Nats beat Braves 4-2, cut magic number to two

Williams speaks after Nats beat Braves 4-2, cut magic number to two
ATLANTA - The magic number is now two. A win here at Turner Field tomorrow or Wednesday and the Nationals are division champs. The Nats cut that magic number in half tonight, beating Atlanta 4-2 in a game that turned really tight late. Washington took a 4-0 lead to the ninth, but Rafael Soriano allowed two runs and Drew Storen needed to come in with the tying run at the plate. A Christian Bethancourt RBI single put the tying run on base, and Bethancourt then moved into scoring position on a...

Some Nationals notes for Sunday brunch

Some Nationals notes for Sunday brunch
The magic number for the Nationals to clinch their second National League East title in three seasons sits at six entering today's finale of a four-game series with the Mets at Citi Field. It would be nice if they could clinch at home - remember the raucous celebration in 2012? - but it's looking more and more like you'll need to make plane and hotel reservations for either Atlanta or Miami in order to take part in the festivities. If you're thinking it'll happen at Turner Field, be...

Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon

Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon
Prior to Monday's game versus the Braves, Nationals manager Matt Williams updated Rafael Soriano's progress as he tries to work on his mechanics following a rough stretch. Soriano has not pitched since Friday. Williams did not personally witness Soriano's bullpen session today, but got the full report from pitching coach Steve McCatty. He did get to speak to Soriano after the workout. "He's working on his mechanics," Williams said. "I talked to him in there and he said he felt good....

Soriano to take a couple of days off, review mechanics; Nats will mix, match in ninth

Soriano to take a couple of days off, review mechanics; Nats will mix, match in ninth
Following Friday night's blown save by closer Rafael Soriano - which eventually resulted in a 9-8,11-inning loss to the Phillies - Matt Williams said Soriano will take a couple of days off. The Nationals manager was clear about the plan for Soriano. But Williams wasn't ready to pinpoint exactly who will replace him in the ninth inning for the time being. Matt Thornton, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen will likely get the bulk of the late-inning work, with Ryan Mattheus also a possibility as the...

On the Soriano decision

On the Soriano decision
Prior to the All-Star break, Rafael Soriano punched up a 0.97 ERA in 37 games. He recorded 22 saves in 24 chances, had an opponents' batting average of .153 and had a WHIP of 0.81. He was simply one of the best relievers in the majors. Since the All-Star break, Soriano has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games. He's recorded just nine saves in 14 chances, has an opponents' batting average of .325 and a WHIP of 1.76. Things have turned south for Soriano in a hurry. And now Matt Williams has to decide how to...

Soriano on losing his closer job, Span and Harper describe collision in the outfield

Soriano on losing his closer job, Span and Harper describe collision in the outfield
Nationals manager Matt Williams will make a change at closer after Rafael Soriano blew his second straight save in a 9-8 11-inning setback to the Phillies. Soriano has blown five games in 14 opportunities since the All-Star break, and has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games since the break. Soriano said he understands he has not been pitching well. He has allowed opponents to score at least one run in four of his last five outings. "Whatever situation that (Williams) could make, I will be with him because...

Williams on closer situation: "We need to address it"

Williams on closer situation: "We need to address it"
Rafael Soriano has struggled since the All-Star break. And after tonight's blown save, Matt Williams said he's considering a change at closer. Soriano allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning tonight, blowing his fifth save in 14 chances since the break. He has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games in that span, and this blown save tonight contributed to a 9-8 Nationals loss in 11 innings. Soriano was handed a three-run lead, but allowed a two-run homer to Carlos Ruiz and then a solo shot to Ben...

Williams on the homer barrage, LaRoche's back and more after 6-4 win

Williams on the homer barrage, LaRoche's back and more after 6-4 win
LOS ANGELES - The longball barrage continues. The Nationals pounded out four more homers tonight - this after hitting 40 home runs in August - and hung on to a shrinking lead late, taking the opener of a three-game series agains the Dodgers by a 6-4 final. Denard Span ripped two homers, giving him three in his last five games, and Jayson Werth and Asdrubal Cabrera also went yard, giving Gio Gonzalez a solid lead to work with. Gonzalez went six-plus innings, allowing three runs on three hits,...

Strasburg looks the part in win over Seattle

Strasburg looks the part in win over Seattle
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg put together a start Friday night that reminded the Nationals why they made him their No. 1 overall selection in 2009. In a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Seattle Mariners, Strasburg came within one out of eight full innings, allowing six hits, one run, a solo homer, no walks and eight strikeouts. His 210 strikeouts this season are a new Nationals record, and it's only August 31. Gio Gonzalez tallied 207 strikeouts in 2012. Strasburg has thrown the 210...