Catching up on the Orioles' catching situation
The five questions that I posed about the Orioles last week were just a launching point. We can't stop at Chris Davis, the Rule 5 draft, protected players, non-tender candidates and the shortstop position. Let's move behind the plate. Without the risk of taking a foul ball off the groin. Do the Orioles bring in another veteran catcher? They signed Jesús Sucre as a free agent on Feb. 5, finally got him into camp after some work visa issues in Venezuela and brought him north. He didn't make...
Orioles

How the 2001 D-backs served as a model for the 2019 Nats
Mike Rizzo has worked in professional baseball for 36 seasons, and until this current campaign he had worked for a team that reached the World Series only once. That was in 2001 with the Diamondbacks, for whom Rizzo served as scouting director. It's Rizzo's favorite team, from a professional standpoint, and for good reason. It provided him his lone World Series ring, which he wears in public only one day a year: Draft day, to remind him what the whole point of this crazy endeavor is. That...
Nationals

Martinez commemorates each win so Nats can remember this historic run
There is a long hallway between the coaches' and manager's offices and the training area next to the Nationals clubhouse on field level at Nats Park. Along this wall is a collection of baseballs positioned on a long single shelf that runs down the hallway. Each ball represents a win the Nats enjoyed so far in 2019. Written on each baseball are the names of one or more players who, in the estimation of manager Davey Martinez, were the most valuable in each of those victories. What the skipper...
Nationals

This, that and the other
While the Orioles were learning about pitcher Asher Wojciechowski over the summer, the right-hander was busy learning more about himself. Wojciechowski admitted that he began to feel fatigued later in the season as it extended beyond the usual point when he's done. He had to push through it, with manager Brandon Hyde providing some extra rest along the way. After completing his final start in Boston, where he tossed six scoreless innings, Wojciechowski said he'd devote the offseason to...
Orioles

The path to .300: strikeouts down, base hits up
Can a player with a career batting average of .192 coming into the 2019 season hit over .300? Can he do that if he was waived four times between the 2018 and 2019 seasons? If that player is Hanser Alberto, he can. Alberto stunned a lot of people this year when he became the first Oriole to hit .300 or better since 2008. His making the team was a mild surprise since the Orioles designated him for assignment on Feb. 19 and re-signed him on March 1. By the way, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff both...
Orioles
Nats have several decisions to make before start of Series
Nats have several decisions to make before start of Series
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
This extended break between the National League Championship Series and the World Series offers the Nationals a chance to rest their overworked pitchers and a chance to figure out how to make sure their hitters stay in a rhythm without facing live pitching in actual games for six days. It also offers ample opportunity for the Nats to consider all their roster, lineup, bullpen and bench options for either potential opponent. Maybe too much opportunity. "Do our homework," general manager Mike...
Scherzer likely to start Game 1 with Strasburg for Game 2
Scherzer likely to start Game 1 with Strasburg for Game 2
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals are waiting until Tuesday to make their debut in World Series and they enjoy a rested starting rotation, almost assuredly beginning with Max Scherzer in Game 1 and Stephen Strasburg in Game 2 in Houston or New York. General manager Mike Rizzo all but confirmed that setup on 106.7 The Fan this week and then at Friday's workout open to the media. The 115th Fall Classic begins with Game 1 on Tuesday night at 8:08 p.m. Eastern time. Game 2 will be Wednesday night at 8:07 p.m. Eastern...
Are big changes on the horizon throughout minor league baseball?
Are big changes on the horizon throughout minor league baseball?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The look of affiliated Minor League Baseball could be in for major changes beginning in 2021. Baseball America's J.J. Cooper reported Friday that 42 teams could be eliminated, reducing the number of minor league clubs to 120 starting in 2021. This is a proposal from Major League Baseball in current negotiations with Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as part of a remodeled agreement from the one that ends with the 2020 season. It is a long story, but is filled with details and worth your...
Nats trying to maintain edge during long break before World Series
Nats trying to maintain edge during long break before World Series
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
On Tuesday night, they celebrated like they'd never celebrated before. Which was appropriate, considering they'd never won the National League pennant before. So what did the Nationals do on Wednesday? "Nothing," reliever Sean Doolittle said. "Nothing. I woke up at like 11, I took the dogs for a walk and grabbed some bagels from Bethesda Bagels, and then realized that I didn't have anything to do. So I went back to bed and slept until 5:30." Suffice it to say, the Nats happily took a day...
Orioles expect the unexpected at spring training
Orioles expect the unexpected at spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
One of the rules that the Orioles need to implement by spring training goes something like this: No surprises. Hard-throwing reliever Zach Pop, a favorite of the previous regime, experienced such a pronounced loss of velocity that the Orioles immediately shut him down after one appearance. Retiring all three batters, with one strikeout, didn't ease the concerns. Pop made eight appearances with Double-A Bowie, none of them after April 30, and allowed only one run with 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3...
Stewart undergoes ankle surgery
Stewart undergoes ankle surgery
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The competition for outfield jobs with the Orioles next spring has taken an unexpected twist. The team announced that DJ Stewart underwent a "successful" microfracture procedure on his right ankle yesterday in Los Angeles. Dr. Kenneth Jung from the Kerlan-Jobe Institute performed the surgery. Stewart is expected to return to baseball activities toward the end of spring training, according to a tweet from the Orioles, which seemingly prevents him from heading north for opening day on March 26...
Time off often the enemy of momentum for playoff teams
Time off often the enemy of momentum for playoff teams
Mel Antonen
Nationals
After sweeping the Cardinals to win the National League pennant, the Nationals are a team hot to play in the World Series. There's only one problem: The Nationals aren't sure if they going to start the World Series in Houston or New York. While the Astros and Yankees play for the American League pennant, the Nationals return to spring training mode in the quiet of Nationals Park, hoping to maintain the sharpness that helped them sweep the Cardinals in the National League Championship...
Revisiting our opening day predictions
Revisiting our opening day predictions
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
So, traditionally we've run this feature right after the Nationals' season ends. But until now, that's always happened by this point of the year. Obviously, the season isn't over yet. But since all but one of the prediction categories from opening day has already been settled, and since we're still trying to fill this long gap between National League Championship Series and World Series, this feels like a good time to revisit our annual media predictions. In case you don't remember, a...
The Oriole Bird among finalists for Mascot Hall of Fame
The Oriole Bird among finalists for Mascot Hall of Fame
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Who doesn't love The Oriole Bird? Well, if you're fond of the feathered one's antics and undying love for his namesake Orioles, you need to flex your fingers and exercise your right to vote. The Oriole Bird is one of 10 finalists for this year's voting for the Mascot Hall of Fame, and between Oct. 20-26, you can vote once a day to send him to the 2020 induction class. Really, casting a ballot for The Oriole Bird is a no-brainer. While there are some really strong nominees among the...
Taylor on going from Double-A to World Series: "I know I'm a big leaguer"
Taylor on going from Double-A to World Series: "I know I'm a big leaguer"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
An important part of the Nationals' run to the 2019 World Series has been their depth. During the season, Howie Kendrick, Asdrúbal Cabrera and Gerardo Parra were valuable substitutes for Ryan Zimmerman or other infield/outfield days off due to workload or a nagging injury. That seamless transition for a game, a week or longer helped the Nats maintain their run of 82-40 since their four-game sweep at the hands of the Mets in late May. In the postseason, outfielder Victor Robles went down...
       
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