Whether the Nationals were ever seriously interested in DJ LeMahieu isn't clear, but here's what is clear: They were never going to match the six-year, $90 million offer the veteran infielder reportedly accepted from the Yankees on Friday. Look, LeMahieu would've been a great fit for the Nats. He could've led off or batted second, creating an elite 1-2-3 trio with Trea Turner and Juan Soto. He could've played third base or second base, helped out at first base, or played some combination...

The Nationals are working the phones, speaking with big-time free agents and well-known players, in an attempt to upgrade their offense for a team that ended up in last place in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. In back-to-back tweets Friday, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Nats are interested in trading for All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant and finding a way to sign touted free agent infielder DJ LeMahieu. The Nationals have pursued both players in the past, and could be looking to...

The hot stove is heating up in Major League Baseball as November gets rolling, with a lot of speculation as to where the top free agents will end up come next season. Making it fun to prognosticate is the sportsbook SportsBetting.ag, which has set odds as to where some of the biggest names in the game might land if they are not on their current teams for the opener of the 2021 regular season. Interestingly enough, the Nationals are one of the front-runners to acquire third baseman and...

SAN DIEGO - Whether or not Anthony Rendon re-signs with them, the Nationals are going to need to address other needs across their infield this winter. It's a complicated puzzle with several moving parts. But all paths ultimately lead to the same place: Multiple transactions necessary to fill out their entire infield before spring training. If they had to fill out a lineup card today, the Nationals would know they had Trea Turner at shortstop. They could pencil the recently re-signed Howie...

With one out and pinch-runner Victor Robles on first base in the eighth inning, the Nationals' Bryce Harper was at the plate against Cubs right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. Never mind that lefty Mike Montgomery was ready in the Cubs bullpen. Cubs manager Joe Maddon played the percentages. He left the lefty in the bullpen. Maddon wanted Edwards to face Harper, a left-handed batter, even though a lefty reliever would be a more traditional approach, but this is why Maddon liked the matchup: Edwards...

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg looked unhittable for five innings Friday night. Then the Chicago Cubs came to bat in the sixth inning. That's when everything changed. The Cubs scored twice against the Nationals starter, who had a 0.86 ERA after the All-Star break as well as a streak of 35 consecutive scoreless innings, on their way to a 3-0 win against the Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park. The Cubs' Javier Báez reached on a high chopper that...

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant stepped on third base awkwardly as he concentrated skyward in pursuit of a Matt Wieters' popup in the fifth inning. Bryant twisted his ankle on the base but still made the catch for the out. But after the play he limped off the field with help from the Cubs trainer and did not return. The Cubs reported Bryant was diagnosed with a mild-to-moderate ankle sprain. Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper, Bryant's childhood friend and fellow Las Vegas native, said he...

Mike Trout and Kris Bryant were named the American and National League MVPs, begging a question: Does this mean that the Baseball Writers' Association of America will judge MVP candidates by different standards in the coming years? Both vote totals are a victory for the new-age sabermetrics statistic called WAR - wins above replacement. Although debatable about what it means, WAR tries to summarize a players' all-around ability in one number. Both second-place finishers - the Nationals'...

Nationals manager Matt Williams updated how pitchers Doug Fister (right forearm tightness), Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness) and Sammy Solis (left shoulder inflammation) are going through the rehab process while on the disabled list. All three worked out at Nationals Park on Thursday. "Doug threw 40-ish pitches in the bullpen today, felt good," Williams said. "Threw all of them. Threw his changeup and his curveball, his cutter. Came out of it feeling really good. That heavier load, we'll...

Denard Span continued throwing the lumber around on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field with his second home run in as many games. For a moment, his eighth-inning bullet over the right field wall seemed to be the game-winner before the Cubs answered with some artillery of their own, sending the Nationals walking off disappointed with a 3-2 loss. Span, who's only 31, joked to reporters that he has "old man power". Whatever it is, the Nats' center fielder is creating more souvenirs for fans than...

Denard Span didn't waste any time lighting up the scoreboard this Memorial Day. The Nats' center fielder crushed a 2-2 fastball from Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada deep to right field to give the Nationals a quick 1-0 lead. Two of Span's four homers this season have led off games. The Cubs answered in the bottom of the inning with a blast of their own. Rookie sensation, 23-year old Kris Bryant nailed a Tanner Roark slider just over the fence in the left-center alley. The solo shot is Bryant's...