The current state of the Nationals' depth chart
The current state of the Nationals' depth chart
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals haven't added anyone new yet this offseason, but they have dropped quite a few members of the 2020 club over the last month-plus. In fact, their 40-man roster includes only 30 players at this moment, underscoring just how much work they still have ahead of them this winter. We've talked plenty already about the various holes on the roster and tried to identify some free agents who might interest the Nats. But as we begin another week in what continues to look like a very slow...
Sportsbook gives Nats good odds on Bryant, Ozuna and Turner
Sportsbook gives Nats good odds on Bryant, Ozuna and Turner
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The hot stove is heating up in Major League Baseball as November gets rolling, with a lot of speculation as to where the top free agents will end up come next season. Making it fun to prognosticate is the sportsbook SportsBetting.ag, which has set odds as to where some of the biggest names in the game might land if they are not on their current teams for the opener of the 2021 regular season. Interestingly enough, the Nationals are one of the front-runners to acquire third baseman and...
Orioles nearing completion of Velázquez deal
Orioles nearing completion of Velázquez deal
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The business conducted this week by Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias isn't confined to setting the 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft. It's more than figuring out which free agents could fit on the active roster for opening day. It's more than compiling a list of candidates for third base coach and infield instructor. There's a trade that needs to be completed. The first trade that's now become the last one to be finalized. The Orioles are working out the...
A look at one absolute roller coaster of a season
A look at one absolute roller coaster of a season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the music stops at the beginning of or during the 2021 season, will DJ Stewart have a chair? After his own crazy season inside baseball's own crazy 2020 season, will Stewart's brief but remarkable offensive display last summer carry him back to the roster next season? In an outfield that includes Anthony Santander, Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, a returning Trey Mancini (who could be at first base) and is awaiting the arrival of Yusniel Diaz, will Stewart find a...
With Robles on roster, Dominican Winter League opens today
With Robles on roster, Dominican Winter League opens today
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
After such a short season, many ballplayers wondered if they should consider going somewhere to get more at-bats or throw more innings this winter. The answer from the Nationals front office: No, take a normal offseason, then report for spring training fresh and ready to go. That message doesn't apply to every single player on the Nats roster, though. There are a handful of guys who the organization believes could benefit from some extra work this winter. And the most notable name on that list...
Is this player a free agent match for the Orioles?
Is this player a free agent match for the Orioles?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It seems very unlikely to happen to me, but when an online sportsbook placed odds of big league teams signing specific free agents, the Orioles got on the list with one player. It was a player that has yet to play in the majors. And the Orioles were not listed as one of the favorites to sign infielder Ha-Seong Kim of the Korea Baseball Organization. In fact they are the seventh-betting favorite. Here is how BetOnline.ag lists the current contenders: 4/1 - Los Angeles Angels 17/4 - Toronto Blue...
Hitting updates on Antuna, Wilson and Pineda
Hitting updates on Antuna, Wilson and Pineda
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Here are more capsules on a few of the Nationals' prospects and how they did this summer at the recently wrapped up instructional league, coming from Nats hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich. The Nats' No. 12 prospect is infielder Yasel Antuna, who begins play in the Dominican winter league starting tomorrow. He is listed as playing third base and shortstop. Gingrich said there was a good amount of buzz surrounding Antuna's hitting in Fredericksburg, Va., the Nats' alternate training site....
Thoughts on some GMs in the news
Thoughts on some GMs in the news
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Marlins made history Friday, making Kim Ng the first female general manager of a major North American men's professional sports franchise. Ng's hiring was greeted with overwhelming praise from every corner of the baseball world and beyond, and it was comforting to see how much everyone understood how much the 51-year-old has earned this job and wasn't simply handed it for the publicity. Ng worked her way up the ladder for more than two decades, starting out as an intern for the White Sox...
Baseball America sizes up the O's top prospects
Baseball America sizes up the O's top prospects
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Baseball America released its new Orioles top 10 prospects list this week. The list shows that the Orioles continue to improve their farm system. Seven of these players were acquired on former general manager Dan Duquette's watch, and three came since current executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias took over. It's a list with some balance: There are five pitchers and five position players. Five Orioles are currently ranked in the top 100 of both Baseball America and...
Orioles to host turkey distribution at Ed Smith Stadium
Orioles to host turkey distribution at Ed Smith Stadium
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
As part of the club's ongoing efforts to serve and strengthen the community during the current pandemic, the Orioles announced today that they have partnered with All Faiths Food Bank to host a turkey distribution at Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday, November 17. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, catcher Chance Sisco, and infielder/outfielder Stevie Wilkerson will be on site to assist with the distribution. The distribution, which includes Thanksgiving groceries and a turkey for each household, will...