Tampa Bay Rays fans have been through this before
Tampa Bay Rays fans have been through this before
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Well, we know there will not be any controversies surrounding Blake Snell's time on the mound in a playoff game for Tampa Bay during the 2021 season. In the 2020 postseason, Snell and Charlie Morton started 10 of the Rays' 20 playoff games including three of six in the World Series. Now both are gone from the Rays. But this team has been here before. This organization, which does more with less than any big league club, is at it again. They had both pitchers under contract for the 2021 season...
Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"
Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Former Orioles utility player Ryan Flaherty believes that the club made a smart hire in Tony Mansolino, who is replacing José Flores as third base coach and infield instructor. Flaherty has known Mansolino for a long time. They were drafted three years apart from Vanderbilt University and Mansolino managed Flaherty at Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization in 2019. The Orioles haven't announced the composition of their coaching staff, but a source last week confirmed Mansolino's...
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": As new year dawns, some throwback memories
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": As new year dawns, some throwback memories
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Happy New Year's Eve! Since it's a perfect time to reminisce, we've got some really good memories for you. Don't worry, only one of these comes from the dreadful year that's got exactly one more day left. And even that one will bring a smile. But as we ponder the unpainted canvas of 2021, enjoy these "Nationals Classics" on MASN that are guaranteed to please. OK, there could be some fist-banging angst, too. But that's all part of the game, right? And from our corner of cyberspace to...
On the O's farm, versatility will be a real key
On the O's farm, versatility will be a real key
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As the Orioles approached their recent instructional league camp, they knew a few things that would be important to consider. One is that building defensive versatility is never a bad thing for a player. If he can play multiple positions, his value to the team and the sport go up. The Orioles also knew they had drafted and acquired seven shortstops via the draft or trade since Mike Elias took over as executive vice president and general manager. So the want-to - to expand defensive resumes for...
Monday morning Nats Q&A
Monday morning Nats Q&A
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Good morning, everyone. Hope you all had a safe and healthy holiday weekend. And hope you had a little time to read about the Nationals' trade for Josh Bell and the subsequent reaction and analysis that followed. After an awfully quiet start to the offseason, the Nats have now acquired a much-needed big bat. The question is, will they attempt to go get another significant bat to further bolster the top half of their lineup? We know they still need a corner outfielder. And they could still...
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Some things never get old
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Some things never get old
Doug Miller
Orioles
So long, 2020. Don't let the door whack your backside on your way out. The general consensus seems to be that the year that draws to a close tonight at midnight can't be over soon enough. As if social and political turmoil and a deadly virus sweeping the globe weren't awful enough, the pandemic also screwed up the baseball season. With new vaccines approved and inoculations begun, we're all crossing our fingers in hopes that we can kick COVID-19 to the curb in 2021, and that spring training...
Remembering a long O's career
Remembering a long O's career
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was a sad anniversary to note recently. But when you think about the man himself, and what he meant to the Orioles for 37 of his 45 seasons in pro baseball, you can't help but smile. Elrod Hendricks was born on Dec. 22, 1940 in the Virgin Islands. He died on Dec. 21, 2005 - just one day shy of his 65th birthday. He was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame as a coach in 2001 and he spent 28 seasons as the club's bullpen coach. His baseball record notes that the Orioles acquired him from...
Is there still room for Zimmerman on 2021 roster?
Is there still room for Zimmerman on 2021 roster?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It was a throwaway line at the end of his opening statement introducing Josh Bell on Saturday afternoon, but a four-word phrase from Mike Rizzo might have carried more weight than he realized at the time. Rizzo referred to Bell as "our new first baseman." That's not something the Nationals general manager has said in some time. The last time Rizzo acquired a first baseman with the intention of starting him on opening day was 2011. The player's name was Adam LaRoche, and he would hold the...
Nationals believe Bell is "a big upgrade for us"
Nationals believe Bell is "a big upgrade for us"
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In searching for the big bat his club was missing this season and he had openly identified as his No. 1 goal of this offseason, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had no shortage of options to consider. He could've gone big in the free agent market and tried to sign one of the pre-eminent (but pricey) players available. He could've gone after a second-tier (and thus less expensive) free agent and hoped that would be enough. Or he could've explored trade possibilities, recognizing that type...
How the Nationals' 2021 lineup looks for now
How the Nationals' 2021 lineup looks for now
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Christmas Eve acquisition of Josh Bell gives the Nationals a much-needed, middle-of-the-order bat. General manager Mike Rizzo said that was his No. 1 priority of the winter, and the general manager even dropped a hint last week it could come in the form of a first baseman. But where exactly does Bell - who is tentatively scheduled to speak to reporters this afternoon, by the way - figure to bat in the Nats lineup? The idea all along was to provide protection for Juan Soto, who sorely needed...