Fates of second-tier free agents just as critical to Nats' chances
Fates of second-tier free agents just as critical to Nats' chances
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
So much attention has been paid - and will continue to be paid - to the Nationals' two biggest free agents this winter: Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg. But let's not forget the host of other key veterans from their World Series roster who currently aren't under contract, because their fates are plenty important to the franchise's chances in 2020 as well. Friday's deal to bring back Howie Kendrick for one guaranteed year at $6.25 million plus a mutual option for 2021 is a really...
A look at the Rule 5 draft with Baseball America's J.J. Cooper
A look at the Rule 5 draft with Baseball America's J.J. Cooper
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The latest edition of the Rule 5 draft is set for Thursday at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. The last Rule 5 draft where the Orioles did not make a selection was in 2005. Yep, it's been that long, and the Orioles are certainly expected to make a selection again this year when they pick second behind Detroit. The order of the draft is the same as for the First-Year Player Draft set for June. Picking first last December in the Rule 5, the Orioles took infielder Richie Martin from Oakland. He...
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Early walk-offs and a K-heavy performance
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Early walk-offs and a K-heavy performance
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
We don't have a long list of "Nationals Classics" airing on MASN this week, but two of the three games went extra innings and ended in Washington walk-offs, while the third featured a strikeout-hunting hurler who reached a major milestone. Who doesn't like a walk-off, especially when it's the Nationals doing the celebrating? Our two games featuring bonus baseball sent fans home happy from RFK Stadium in the team's formative years. Sandwiched between the two games offering late heroics is...
Fry seeks more success in second half
Fry seeks more success in second half
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Paul Fry led the Orioles this season with 66 appearances out of the bullpen. A source of pride that also might have come at a price. Was it the workload, in his first full season in the majors, that created the 8.38 ERA and .333 average against in August and the 10.29 ERA and .355 average against in September? It's a plausible theory given his unprecedented workload and how he registered a 1.08 ERA in July and how opponents batted .107. Let the reliever take a stab at it. "I loved having...
Nationals finalizing deal to bring Kendrick back in 2020
Nationals finalizing deal to bring Kendrick back in 2020
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals are finalizing a deal with Howie Kendrick to bring the postseason hero back for at least one more season. Kendrick and the Nats have agreed to the framework of a one-year contract that will pay him $6.25 million in 2020, with a mutual option for 2021, a source familiar with the deal confirmed this morning. The deal, first reported by the Washington Post, is pending a physical. It's an increase in salary for the veteran infielder, who turns 37 in July and made $4 million this...
Nationals seek candidates to run as Racing Presidents
Nationals seek candidates to run as Racing Presidents
Doug Miller
Nationals
It's been said that any youngster here in this land of opportunity can grow up to become president. But only at Nationals Park can someone don one of the faces seen on Mount Rushmore, lace up running shoes and become a Racing President. The Nationals are looking for people with the right combination of show-biz personality, athleticism and political ambition (of a sort) to take on the personae of George, Tom, Abe and Teddy during home games in the coming season. The club's entertainment...
How much can the Nats actually afford to spend this winter?
How much can the Nats actually afford to spend this winter?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There's a lot of talk about the Nationals and money right now, namely how much money they can spend in an attempt to keep Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg. This comes after managing principal owner Mark Lerner, in an interview with former tennis player, lawyer and agent Donald Dell on NBC Sports Washington, claimed the club "really can only afford to have one of those two guys." This perhaps caught a lot of folks off guard, if not for the actual message than for the fact Lerner was...
Solid statuses for Wynns and Wojciechowski heading into spring
Solid statuses for Wynns and Wojciechowski heading into spring
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
By stating his intent to find a fourth catcher for the spring training roster, a minor league deal the most obvious avenue, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias revealed that Austin Wynns remains firmly in the Orioles' plans for 2020. It wasn't an assumption. The Orioles might have to clear more space on their 40-man roster over the winter and they're carrying three catchers. Elias keeps saying that he wants a veteran catcher to go with Wynns, Pedro Severino and Chance Sisco....
Another Orioles Q&A and updating their 2020 draft picks
Another Orioles Q&A and updating their 2020 draft picks
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After an eventful week around Birdland with the trades of Jonathan Villar and Dylan Bundy, there is plenty to talk about. Plus the Winter Meetings begin next week in San Diego. The Orioles added five minor league pitchers in the deals for Villar and Bundy and are expected to make at least one pick in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. So today, with a lot going on recently, let's take some reader questions. Ask anything - about the minors or majors, the recent trades or any topic - and I and other...
Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff
Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are nearing completion of the hiring process for their coaching staff, another item to cross off a long list of activities. Former Marlins and Braves manager Fredi González has been chosen as major league coach, according to a source. González inherits the title that belonged to José Hernández, who shifts to assistant hitting coach, per the source. Two of the three vacancies on the staff have been filled, including Anthony Sanders' hiring as first base coach. Sanders...