Popular Parra signs with Japanese club
Baby Shark is swimming across the Pacific to begin a new chapter in his career. Gerardo Parra, who surprisingly became a major contributor to the Nationals' World Series title on and off the field, signed overnight with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League, dashing any hope the popular outfielder would return to Washington for another season. Parra agreed to a deal that includes a $2 million guaranteed salary, plus $500,000 in bonuses and a $3 million vesting option for 2021,...
Nationals

Condra-Bogan adjusted to heavier workload in 2019
In part two of our discussion, Nationals right-handed reliever Jacob Condra-Bogan said he is working on pitches besides his fastball, including the slider and the changeup. "My changeup is probably my best secondary pitch," he said. "It's good, late tumble, low-spin-rate type pitch that moves a lot. I just don't throw it a lot, but when I do throw I think it's a very good pitch." Condra-Bogan said he also throws a slider/curveball that is starting to gain some traction and...
Nationals

Winning stays on back burner as Orioles continue transformation
Nothing that the Orioles are doing as you read this first sentence is geared toward making a significant jump in wins in 2020. It's building up various departments in the organization, especially in scouting, analytics and internationally. It's a restructuring that reaches every level, with recent dismissals or reassignments in ballpark operations, sales and community relations. It's creating new positions such as director of baseball development, with an industry source confirming yesterday...
Orioles

Could lightning strike twice for Parra in D.C.?
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Gerardo Parra, whose mid-May acquisition didn't seem significant at the time but proved to be among the most important developments of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: GERARDO PARRA Age on opening day 2020: 32 How acquired: Signed as free agent, May 2019 MLB service time: 10 years, 145 days 2019 salary: $555,000 (Nats were responsible for $429,677) Contract...
Nationals

Sizing up a few rule changes and Rule 5 draft talk too
We will see a few rule changes in Major League Baseball in 2020. One involves relief pitchers. A pitcher that enters the game must stay in to face three batters or until the end of the inning. There will be a provision for an injury that could keep the pitcher from facing three hitters or getting to the end of the inning. So will this rule change much about how pitchers are used? Will it speed up the game? Is it even a good move? This rule certainly will put an end to the one-batter pitchers, a...
Orioles
Gomes stepped up when needed but now is a free agent
Gomes stepped up when needed but now is a free agent
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Yan Gomes, who had a rough regular season but stepped up in September and October when Kurt Suzuki was injured. PLAYER REVIEW: YAN GOMES Age on opening day 2020: 32 How acquired: Traded from Indians for Jefry Rodríguez, Daniel Johnson and Andruw Monasterio MLB service time: 7 years, 83 days 2019 salary: $7,083,334 Contract status: Free agent 2019...
The guy with the long name looks for longer stay in O's rotation
The guy with the long name looks for longer stay in O's rotation
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He made 16 starts for the 2019 Orioles and it probably took some of us most of that time to learn how to spell his name, but right-hander Asher Wojciechowski could emerge in the O's rotation again next season. At this point he's probably among a top four in some order that also includes John Means, Dylan Bundy and Alex Cobb. Wojciechowski went 4-8 with a 4.92 ERA last season. Over 82 1/3 innings he allowed 80 hits, including 17 homers. He walked 28 batters and got 80 strikeouts. He allowed...
Questions abound; answers could take awhile
Questions abound; answers could take awhile
Mel Antonen
Nationals
As the slowest part of the baseball offseason arrives, here are seven answers to seven questions: Question: Will the signing of major free agents speed up this year, or will teams be signing players the first week of spring training 2020? Answer: Most observers think the process will speed up. The teams' rosters aren't likely to get set before Christmas, which used to be the case, but it's likely not going to drag into late February as it did last offseason with Manny Machado (San Diego)...
Ex-Nats Soriano and Dunn make Hall of Fame ballot
Ex-Nats Soriano and Dunn make Hall of Fame ballot
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Though they spent more time playing for other franchises in other cities, Alfonso Soriano and Adam Dunn both are remembered fondly for their time with the Nationals. And so there were probably more than a few hearts warmed today when both players were included among the 32 candidates on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. Neither Soriano nor Dunn is expected to receive anywhere close to the 75 percent support necessary for enshrinement in Cooperstown, and there's a chance neither receives even...
Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs
Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As the Orioles move through another month of their offseason and draw closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, they haven't ventured far from predictability. This team needs at least one starting pitcher and reliever to improve their depth and allow their prospects to develop at the proper pace without being rushed. They're willing to talk trades and one-year deals and delve into the minor league free agent market. Nothing splashy. Nothing that deviates from the previous...
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Mountain cycling makes for fun afternoon
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Mountain cycling makes for fun afternoon
Doug Miller
Nationals
Though we all know that losing a star player to free agency is just part of the business of baseball, that doesn't make it any less aggravating for fans. But seeing as how the Nationals just won their first World Series, we at MASN know you won't mind being reminded of the days when your team piled a lot of its hopes on the young shoulders of a guy named Harper. This next batch of "Nationals Classics" includes a couple of red-letter days for the 2012 Rookie of the Year from back when he was...
Brian Roberts included on Hall of Fame ballot
Brian Roberts included on Hall of Fame ballot
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The latest Hall of Fame ballot includes four players with ties to the Orioles and one who made a significant impact, though he isn't likely to be a future inductee. Second baseman Brian Roberts appears on the ballot for the first time. He's joined by pitcher Curt Schilling and outfielder Sammy Sosa. Pitcher Heath Bell, also in the group, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in May 2014 and was released after 10 relief appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts, now an analyst on MASN and...
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Fond memories of power and playoff performances
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Fond memories of power and playoff performances
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
When you think back on your favorite Orioles memories, what makes you smile most? Are you partial to score-changing home runs? Does the postseason get you all juiced up? Perhaps you're one of those who favors nostalgia over all else? Regardless, we've got a smattering of each in this week's smorgasbord of "Orioles Classics" on MASN. So take a break from those endless emails promising early Black Friday shopping deals and tune in to relive these standout moments in Baltimore baseball...
MLB proposal would eliminate 42 minor league teams, including two Nats affiliates
MLB proposal would eliminate 42 minor league teams, including two Nats affiliates
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Major League Baseball has a proposal on the table that would eliminate 42 minor league teams - including the Nationals' short-season Single-A affiliate in Auburn, N.Y., and their low Single-A farm team in Hagerstown - in a reorganization plan first reported by Baseball America and the New York Times. In the statement to the New York Times, MLB said: "We are in discussions with the owners of the minor league teams to reorganize elements of the system with the goal of improving the working...
Cabrera's cheap in-season signing proved huge for Nats
Cabrera's cheap in-season signing proved huge for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Asdrúbal Cabrera, a seemingly minor midseason pickup who wound up playing a major role during the World Series run. PLAYER REVIEW: ASDRÚBAL CABRERA Age on opening day 2020: 34 How acquired: Signed as free agent, August 2019 MLB service time: 12 years, 27 days 2019 salary: $3.5 million (Nats were only responsible for $170,000) Contract status: Free...
       
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