Tales from the clubhouse: Sleep-deprived Gio González
Tales from the clubhouse: Sleep-deprived Gio González
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Over the course of 17 seasons on the Nationals beat, you come across players with every type of personality and every type of approach when it comes to dealing with reporters. Some are outgoing and gregarious. Some are shy and reticent. Some are polite but know how to say nothing interesting. Some are rude but can't help themselves and say plenty of things they shouldn't have said. In those 17 seasons, though, there has never been an interview subject quite like Giovany Aramis...
Is there a starter ready to lower Lyles from No. 2 in rotation?
Is there a starter ready to lower Lyles from No. 2 in rotation?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
My question in Saturday's spring training storyline post about the starters who follow John Means and Jordan Lyles in the rotation was met with some online resistance. As in, why is Lyles the No. 2 starter with a career 54-79 record, 5.21 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in 11 seasons? I can offer seven million reasons - his guaranteed salary for 2022. Also, there isn't a proven top of the rotation starter that I'm ignoring. Or one of the prospects who was so overwhelmingly good this summer that he's...
Bemboom braced for competition and Rutschman's arrival
Bemboom braced for competition and Rutschman's arrival
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Anthony Bemboom can read the room. Any catcher who has an agent negotiating with the Orioles doesn't go into it blindly. An organization that advertises itself as a land of opportunity has its limits. For the Orioles, it's offering competition in camp for a group of catchers, with the understanding that someone eventually must step aside. Bemboom hasn't met Adley Rutschman or watched him play, but he knows what's coming. He signed a minor league deal last week, following Jacob Nottingham,...
Making another move into the mailbag
Making another move into the mailbag
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If it's Sunday, it must be time to rummage through the ol' mailbag instead of letting it overflow and risking a few questions sticking to the bottom. I'll never forgive myself for taking 22 years to offer my opinion on the Orioles selecting Mike Paradis in the first round. And I wasn't ... wait for it ... Stahling before commenting on their next pick. (Look it up if you must and then forgive me.) Let's get to some of the fresher inquiries this morning, unedited in all their glory. I will...
The Nationals: "No Way Home"
The Nationals: "No Way Home"
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
In honor of this weekend's release of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," I'm going to attempt to create parallels between the blockbuster movie and the upcoming Nationals season. I like baseball and superheroes, and we're in a lockout, so bear with me. This is a spoiler-free reference to "No Way Home" for those of you who have yet to see the film. I saw it opening night since Spider-Man is one of my favorite characters of all time, and I hate when people spoil things for me, so I will not do...
Nationals trivia quiz: Pitching
Nationals trivia quiz: Pitching
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
With not much news trickling out of South Capitol Street as the lockout enters its third week, I have to get a little creative around here to come up with story ideas. I've been trying to strike a balance between stories about those currently employed by the Nationals and those previously employed by them. And what better way to remember those who used to play around here than with some trivia? Yes, it's time for a new round of Nats trivia. Today's quiz is all about pitching and features...
Rutschman should lead charge from farm to major leagues
Rutschman should lead charge from farm to major leagues
Steve Melewski
Orioles
One is not officially signed yet and one is, but the Orioles have contract agreements in place with infielder Rougned Odor and right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles. The Odor deal was announced and Lyles' pact will become official after the lockout ends. The term placeholder - not a favorite of mine - comes to mind here. They were not added to be key players of the club's core moving forward. They were added to help now, eat innings, hit a few homers, hold down a position while the club waits for...
Toolsy Hays is the kind of player Orioles can build around
Toolsy Hays is the kind of player Orioles can build around
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Over the years, in both the minors and major leagues, Orioles outfielder Austin Hays has flashed his vast potential and multi-tool talent. He showed more of that during a 2021 season where he was able to stay on the field for 131 games and 529 plate appearances. He ranked fourth on the team in both categories, behind only Cedric Mullins, Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle. With young outfielders like Kyle Stowers and Robert Neustrom getting closer to the majors, and Yusniel Diaz still trying...
Leftovers for breakfast
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
One of the offseason activities that is conducted every year and can't be influenced by the status of the collective bargaining agreement involves minor league signings aimed at improving depth at the lower levels or just taking a low-risk chance on a player. A favorable scouting report can lead to an opportunity. So can a team executive doing a favor for an agent that might pay dividends down the road with another client. I've seen that one done more than once in the past, though not in...
What if the Nats never traded for Jonathan Papelbon?
What if the Nats never traded for Jonathan Papelbon?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Last week, we opened our "What If?" series wondering what might have been had Jordan Zimmermann accepted the Nationals' long-term extension offer after the 2014 season, a decision that had long-lasting ramifications on the organization. This week, we look at a big decision the organization made the following summer that absolutely had immediate consequences for the club, and probably had long-lasting ones as well: The trade for Jonathan Papelbon. Prepare to cringe. As the 2015 trade deadline...