The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-hander Stephen Strasburg on a one-year deal worth a reported $10.4 million, avoiding arbitration, according to multiple reports. Strasburg went 11-7 in 2015 with a 3.46 ERA, his best winning percentage since 2012, when he went 15-6. He battled injuries and started 23 games, coming on strong to end the season. MLBTradeRumors.com had predicted Strasburg would receive $10.5 million through arbitration. In the second half of the season, Strasburg went...

The Nationals avoided arbitration with infielder Anthony Rendon today, agreeing to terms on a reported salary of $2.8 million for the 2016 season. MLBTradeRumors.com was first to report earlier this offseason that Rendon was granted an extra year of arbitration after qualifying as a Super Two player. The Nationals have made it clear Rendon will move back to third base in 2016. He started 59 of his 80 games at second base last season while Yunel Escobar played third. But with Escobar traded,...

Daniel Murphy and Ben Revere entered 2015 on ballclubs with different outlooks for the season. Murphy's Mets were seen as on the rise, especially with an assembly of dominant young starters, while Revere's Phillies figured to battle for last place in the National League East during a rebuilding phase. But neither team was expected to challenge the Nationals, who had been predicted to run away with the division. Obviously, we know what happened. The Phillies tanked, fired everyone and had a...

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, catcher Wilson Ramos, outfielder Ben Revere, and infielders Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa were among the 156 major leaguers filing for salary arbitration on Tuesday. Of those five players, Strasburg and Ramos are approaching the final year of their contracts with the Nationals. Catcher Jose Lobaton and first baseman/left fielder Tyler Moore would have been eligible for arbitration, but both agreed to deals with the Nationals earlier this offseason. Salary...

The Miami Marlins have signed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen and the Colorado Rockies have added outfielder Gerardo Parra, so that puts the Orioles in the middle of trade speculation and free agent signings with pitchers. The news focus is left-handed batting outfielders, whether it is the Nationals or the Orioles. Parra, who played for the Orioles last season, gets three years and $27 million. He gives the Rockies four left-handed hitting outfielders along with Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and...

Before Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo acquired outfielder Ben Revere in a trade with the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen on Friday night, the main offensive question skipper Dusty Baker faced was who to place at the top of his batting order. Revere's arrival in Washington solves that issue. "He's hit at the top of the lineup each stage of his career," Rizzo said. "He's got a propensity to steal you a base in big situations and he's the type of leadoff hitter that is very tough...

One of the knocks on Ben Revere is his defense or lack thereof. Mostly, the criticism begins with his arm strength. It was something Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed with the media hours after acquiring Revere and a player to be named later from the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen and cash. "He's a good defensive center fielder with a short-throwing arm, a poor throwing arm," Rizzo said. "But beyond that, he's got good range angles and (takes) good routes to the baseballs...

Following a highly disappointing 2015 campaign and facing the loss of several veteran free agents, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was forced to change the complexion of the roster. Finding a leadoff hitter - preferably a left-handed swinging outfielder - and reconstructing the bullpen were high on Rizzo's winter wish list. In a trade with the Blue Jays late last night, Rizzo addressed both by sending right-hander Drew Storen and cash to Toronto for 27-year-old outfielder Ben Revere and a...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was serious about adding a starting outfielder all offseason. He positioned the Nationals into finalists for All-Star Jason Heyward - reportedly making a highly competitive offer - before the three-time Gold Glove Award winner signed a $184 million contract with the Cubs last month. Several other trades and free agents were also discussed. But as late as Thursday, Rizzo remained coy in discussing further pursuits of outfielders, sounding confident with a...

Barely 24 hours after Denard Span signed with the Giants, the Nationals have found his replacement. The Nats announced late tonight that they dealt right-hander Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Blue Jays for speedy outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named. Revere slashed .306/.342/.377 with 22 doubles, seven triples, two homers, 84 runs scored and 31 stolen bases in 152 games with the Phillies and Blue Jays last season. Philadelphia sent the 27-year-old to Toronto at last...