Nationals acquire RHP Henry Rodriguez & OF Corey Brown from Oakland in exchange for LF Josh Willingham
Nationals acquire RHP Henry Rodriguez & OF Corey Brown from Oakland in exchange for LF Josh Willingham
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitcher Henry Rodriguez and outfielder Corey Brown from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for left fielder Josh Willingham. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rodriguez went 1-0 with a 4.55 ERA in 29 appearances last season with Oakland in just his second season as a full-time reliever. He posted 10.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (33 K/27.2 IP) and a .240 batting...
OriolesREACH to host Inaugural Birdland Golf Classic in Sarasota
OriolesREACH to host Inaugural Birdland Golf Classic in Sarasota
Lindsay Rykiel
Orioles
The Founders Club will host event to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota On Thursday, February 17, the Orioles will hold the inaugural OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at The Founders Club in Sarasota to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, a new organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. The event begins with registration and lunch at noon, with a shotgun start set for 1:00 p.m. The classic will feature a silent...
Willingham on new opportunity: "I'm excited"
Willingham on new opportunity: "I'm excited"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals took another step with the trade of popular outfielder Josh Willingham to the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Henry Rodriguez and outfielder Corey Brown. Willingham confirmed the trade and is excited about his new opportunity but also is appreciative of his time with the Nationals. As for his new team, Willingham says the Athletics are going in the right direction and have talent in the outfield. "Oakland has got a .500 baseball club and already has some good outfielders...
Ohman: "I'm not going to close the door" (updated)
Ohman: "I'm not going to close the door" (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As the Orioles search for another left-handed reliever, they haven't given up on the possibility of bringing back Will Ohman. They've had talks with his agent, Danny Horwits, and Ohman said a return is "always a possibility." "I'm not going to close the door, either," he said earlier today via cell phone. "I enjoyed my time there." His time with the Orioles ended with the July 31 trade to the Marlins that brought pitcher Rick VandenHurk into the organization. "It's a situation...
Nats holiday discounts and store hours
Nats holiday discounts and store hours
Josh Land
Nationals
From Dec.16 through Dec.23, the Nationals Park Team Store in center field will have special holiday discounts and hours. The store will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday leading up to Christmas. Selected items will be discounted at 50 percent and the new Jayson Werth jerseys will be available for purchase. Shoppers can park in Lot C on the corner of 1st and N streets for free. Today, Screech will stop by to sign autographs and pictures from noon-12:45 p.m. Fans can also...
Roll call for relievers
Roll call for relievers
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'm still dealing with e-mail issues because AOL - yes, I know, so lame - keeps forcing me to change my password once or twice a day since the great virus attack of 2010. AOL randomly decides that my password is invalid, which also prevents my BlackBerry from receiving e-mails. I can't get a technician to assist me because I don't pay for the service, and the AOL.com "chat room" didn't provide any solutions before I went to bed. Maybe I entered the wrong room. I should have known when...
Lerner impressed first meeting Werth
Lerner impressed first meeting Werth
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner knew from his first meeting with outfielder Jayson Werth that this is a player he wanted and could play in D.C. for a long time. Lerner was struck by what kind of man Werth was during their initial conversation and how they shared a similar vision for the Nationals. "No surprise as far as I am concerned," Lerner recalls. "When we went and interviewed him in Scott Boras' office in California a couple of weeks back, we were so impressed with the young...
Orioles re-sign RHP Koji Uehara
Orioles re-sign RHP Koji Uehara
Lindsay Rykiel
Orioles
Reliever Agrees To One-Year Deal With Vesting Option For Second Year The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent RHP Koji Uehara to a one-year contract for 2011, with a vesting option for the 2012 season. Uehara, 35, went 1-2 with 13 saves and a 2.86 ERA (44.0IP, 14ER) in 2010. He led AL relievers in fewest walks per 9.0 innings (1.02) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (11-to-1) and was second with 11.25 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. Uehara set a franchise record by not walking a...
Nationals agree to terms with OF/1B Matt Stairs
Nationals agree to terms with OF/1B Matt Stairs
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with outfielder/first baseman Matt Stairs on a non-guaranteed minor league contract, which includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Stairs is an 18-year big league veteran who has competed in four post-seasons and won a World Series championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. He owns the all-time Major League...
Paying the utilities
Paying the utilities
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have bigger fish to fry than a second utility player. A first baseman comes to mind. It jumps right into the boat. I'm not overly concerned about a veteran starter, though I understand the team's interest in acquiring one. Manager Buck Showalter wants more options for the five spots. He's counting six right now, which doesn't give him much room if there's an injury or a young arm - we'll use Zach Britton as an example - isn't deemed ready. Rick VandenHurk, who's out of...