The comparisons will be coming for these shortstops
The comparisons will be coming for these shortstops
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Even though anything he does good or bad for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 won't help or hurt the Orioles, no doubt O's fans will still be quite interested in the performance of former shortstop José Iglesias. After the O's traded Iglesias to the Angels, they signed Freddy Galvis to replace him. So the comparison of the two and how well or not they do this coming season is an obvious one. But it is only a one-season comparison since both players were signed by their respective clubs just...
Daniel Murphy, hitter extraordinaire, announces retirement
Daniel Murphy, hitter extraordinaire, announces retirement
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Daniel Murphy, owner of the highest batting average and second-highest OPS in Nationals history, announced his retirement Friday, bringing an end to a 12-year career that peaked just as he was about to come to Washington and thus made him a significant part of club lore. "This is a beautiful game, and I really just feel humbled and blessed that it let me jump on the ride for a little bit," Murphy told SNY in announcing his decision to retire. "It's beautiful. It can teach you about so many...
Is the Nationals' 2021 roster now in place?
Is the Nationals' 2021 roster now in place?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They got the first baseman they needed. They got the corner outfielder they wanted. They got the No. 4 starter they desired. They got the left-handed reliever they coveted. They brought back the face of the franchise for another season. And now they got the No. 2 catcher they were lacking. The Nationals went into the offseason with a clear checklist, and though it took a while for the wheels to get into full motion, they've now checked off every box on the list, capped by Thursday evening's...
Cavalli cracks MLBPipeline.com's top 100 prospects list
Cavalli cracks MLBPipeline.com's top 100 prospects list
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Some - maybe not much, but some - was made a little over a week ago when the Nationals did not have a single prospect land in Baseball America's top 100 prospects list. They were the only major league team to not have at least one prospect ranked by the publication. But on Thursday night, another highly regarded source for baseball prospect news came out with its own top 100 rankings, and this time, the Nationals were not shut out. Right-hander Cade Cavalli found himself as the 99th overall...
Dreaming big on pitching prospects
Dreaming big on pitching prospects
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If you could bat .500 in baseball, you would probably win a few awards and set several records. And if the Orioles can bat .500 with their top two pitching prospects, that might be impressive as well. They dream on going 2-for-2 and producing a pair of No. 1 starters out of right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and left-hander DL Hall. But what if they turn one but not both of that duo into a No. 1 starter? Well, that would still put them ahead of most clubs. Producing an elite starter is very hard to...
Nationals tab veteran Avila for No. 2 catching job
Nationals tab veteran Avila for No. 2 catching job
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals appear to have found their backup catcher, one who has a prior relationship with three-fifths of their rotation. Alex Avila, the 12-year veteran of five organizations (most extensively the Tigers), has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nats, a source familiar with the contract confirmed. Avila, who turns 34 on Friday, still needs to pass a physical before the transaction is official. In their search for a catcher to replace Kurt Suzuki, the Nationals had no shortage of options...
On Lester's durability, pickoff issues and need for good defense
On Lester's durability, pickoff issues and need for good defense
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Some more thoughts on and from Jon Lester, the newest member of the Nationals rotation, who was formally introduced Wednesday during a Zoom session with reporters ... * The best thing Lester has going for him is durability. He made at least 31 starts every season from 2008-19, and he made all 12 of his scheduled starts last season. Lester has been on the injured list only three times in the last 13 years, and none of them was a prolonged stint. He missed 19 days with a back strain in 2011, he...
Orioles' lingering lineup questions
Orioles' lingering lineup questions
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We know where newest Orioles infielder Freddy Galvis is going to play. He's the starting shortstop and expected to be part of a new double play combination with second baseman Yolmer Sánchez. But where does he hit? Why wait to gather more information? There's no fun in being patient and letting the process play out. Begin speculating and predicting now and beat the post-holiday rush. José Iglesias was slotted second and third in the lineup last summer, which seemed ridiculous until he...
Norfolk beat writer remembers Ron Johnson, plus other notes
Norfolk beat writer remembers Ron Johnson, plus other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The news of the death of former Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson this week hit hard throughout the Orioles organization and beyond. He managed the Tides for seven years through 2018 and sent many a player to help the O's during a period when they made the playoffs three times from 2012 through 2016. Johnson served the Orioles very well. Players were made better having played for him. His last Norfolk team in 2018 included the likes of DJ Stewart, Cedric Mullins, Austin Wynns, Chance Sisco,...
Orioles equipment trucks embark on 1,000-mile journey to Ed Smith Stadium
Orioles equipment trucks embark on 1,000-mile journey to Ed Smith Stadium
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Earlier today, Von Paris Moving & Storage trucks carrying Orioles equipment departed from Oriole Park, making their way to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota in preparation for the 2021 Spring Training season. Orioles staff have gone above and beyond to implement health and safety protocols as they packed and loaded equipment for departure. In addition to wearing masks and gloves at all times, the crew utilized sanitizing stations throughout the clubhouse and worked in staggered shifts to ensure...