Leftovers for breakfast
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While the Orioles keeping waiting for Major League Baseball to establish its rules for 2021, especially roster sizes for spring training, they must prepare their case against outfielder Anthony Santander in next month's arbitration hearing. "Against" is a cringe-worthy word when considering his value to the club, his importance in the current state of the rebuild. But there's no other way to phrase it when one side wants to pay $2.1 million and the other side wants to receive $2.475...
Suzuki, Difo find new homes for 2021
Suzuki, Difo find new homes for 2021
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Not that either was expected to return to D.C. for another season, but a pair of notable Nationals players from recent years - Kurt Suzuki and Wilmer Difo - officially found new homes Friday. Suzuki signed with the Angels for one year and $1.5 million. Difo agreed to a minor league contract with the Pirates that will include an invitation to big league camp this spring. The Nationals had long since decided to part ways with both players, so the news didn't come as a huge surprise. But we'll...
Another look at a "landmark day" for the O's organization
Another look at a "landmark day" for the O's organization
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If anyone still doubted that the Orioles were serious about their international amateur signings, those doubts surely vanished yesterday. From the first day he was on the job as executive vice president and general manager, Mike Elias made producing and developing a strong international program a priority. Now Elias, along with senior director of international scouting Koby Perez and his staff have put together their second signing class, which was unveiled yesterday. And while there were years...
Orioles preparing for arbitration hearing with Santander
Orioles preparing for arbitration hearing with Santander
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have ceased negotiations with the representatives for outfielder Anthony Santander and are preparing for an arbitration hearing next month. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias confirmed the team's stance this afternoon on a Zoom conference call with the local media. Both sides reached the 1 p.m. deadline without an agreement. Salary figures will be exchanged and a hearing date will be set for next month. "We have a file-to-go policy that I've been very consistent...
Nats avoid arbitration with Soto, Turner and Bell (updated)
Nats avoid arbitration with Soto, Turner and Bell (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals came to terms on 2021 salaries with Juan Soto, Trea Turner and Josh Bell today, avoiding arbitration with their three biggest offensive stars. Though the deadline for players and clubs to agree to salaries or file for arbitration was 1 p.m., it took hours for Major League Baseball to process the throng of cases that were submitted to league headquarters before many could be finalized. Turner, in his third of four seasons of arbitration eligibilty, got the biggest salary for the...
Nationals agree to terms with 10 international free agents
Nationals agree to terms with 10 international free agents
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with 10 international free agents on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Vice President and Assistant General Manager of International Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. * RHP Jefrem Leon, R/R, 9/9/2002, Aruba* OF Cristian Batista, L/L, 5/2/2004, Dominican Republic* SS Armando Cruz, R/R, 1/16/2004, Dominican Republic* INF Winder Diaz, S/R, 9/5/2002, Dominican Republic* RHP Doimil...
Highly touted shortstop among Nats' 10 international signings
Highly touted shortstop among Nats' 10 international signings
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Today is the first day for international free agent signings across Major League Baseball. The Nationals made big news by signing the No. 5 prospect in 16-year-old shortstop Armando Cruz for $3.9 million. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual July 2 signing date was delayed until Jan. 15. In all, the Nats announced 10 signings. The list includes five pitchers, three outfielders and two shortstops. Five of the prospects hail from the Dominican Republic, four are from Venezuela and one...
Basallo, Hernández lead O's international class (updated)
Basallo, Hernández lead O's international class (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles today announced a signing class of 17 international amateurs, including the club's first two players signed for seven figures. Per industry sources, the club has contract agreements with catcher Samuel Basallo from the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million and with Venezuelan shortstop Maikol Hernández for $1.2 million. The Orioles announced that 11 more from this group are six-figure agreements. Of the 17 agreements, 13 are from the Dominican Republic and four are from...
Orioles open 2021 international signing period by adding 17 players
Orioles open 2021 international signing period by adding 17 players
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have opened the 2020-21 International Signing period with 17 contract agreements. Highlighting the Orioles 2020-21 International Signing class are the clubs first-ever seven figure international signings, catcher Samuel Basallo and shortstop Maikol Hernández. Additionally, 11 more of the group are six figure agreements. Of the 17 total agreements, 13 are from the Dominican Republic and four are from Venezuela. Basallo, born on August 13, 2004,...
Nats' Latin American program has come a long way
Nats' Latin American program has come a long way
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals have been linked to top Dominican prospect Armando Cruz for nearly a year and a half now, and today they're finally expected to announce they've signed the elite young shortstop for a reported $4 million bonus. It's a whopping total for a kid who turns 17 on Saturday, and it's perhaps the latest and most convincing evidence just how far the Nats' Latin American scouting program has come over the last decade-plus. Those who haven't followed the organization since the early...