Blue Jays snag reliever Philip Walby off Harrisburg roster in Triple-A Rule 5 draft

Blue Jays snag reliever Philip Walby off Harrisburg roster in Triple-A Rule 5 draft
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals neither made a pick nor lost a player in the major league phase of this morning's Rule 5 draft, the final order of business at the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. In the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Nationals lost right-hander Philip Walby, who was selected by the Blue Jays off the roster of Double-A Harrisburg. Walby, 24, went 2-0 with a 3.29 ERA in 24 games with Single-A Hagerstown in 2016. He's viewed...

Breaking down what the Nationals surrendered in Eaton deal - and why

Breaking down what the Nationals surrendered in Eaton deal - and why
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Lucas Giolito didn't waste any time in embracing his new team after being traded to the White Sox in a deal that netted the Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton. Fans, media and baseball executives were still processing this afternoon's trade - right-handers Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning for Eaton - when Giolito changed his team affiliation on his Twitter account and posted a heartfelt goodbye to the organization that drafted and developed him. "Today is both an...

Nats' lack of experienced closer right now doesn't faze Baker

Nats' lack of experienced closer right now doesn't faze Baker
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Fans and media may be wondering who will close for the Nationals in 2017. So is manager Dusty Baker, though he didn't sound too concerned Tuesday during his media session at the Winter Meetings. Speaking in a ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Baker said he was disappointed that the Nationals weren't able to re-sign incumbent Mark Melancon, didn't think the Nats had been in touch with free agent Aroldis Chapman because he's asking for too...

Looking at the ninth-inning market beyond the big-name free agents

Looking at the ninth-inning market beyond the big-name free agents
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Mark Melancon is gone, lured to San Francisco by a four-year, $62 million free agent deal. He was a great fit in the Nationals clubhouse and his 147 saves over the past four years and significant postseason experience will help the Giants solve the bullpen problems that derailed their second half of 2016. It's no surprise that Melancon was the first of the three top free agent closers to come off the board. He won't be the most expensive - though his $62 million...

OriolesREACH Birdland Classic golf tournament in Sarasota rescheduled for Feb. 15

OriolesREACH Birdland Classic golf tournament in Sarasota rescheduled for Feb. 15
The Orioles will now hold the Seventh Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., on Wednesday, February 15. The classic will benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. Registration is now open for golfers and corporate partners. The event begins with registration at 11:00 a.m., with a shotgun start set for 1:00 p.m....

Nationals put media access for a day, lunch with Baker and coaches up for auction

Nationals put media access for a day, lunch with Baker and coaches up for auction
If I've heard it once, I've heard it 100 times ... "Wow, you have the coolest job ever. If you ever need an assistant, sign me up!" Well, you now have your chance. As part of the "Play Ball" charity auction during the Winter Meetings, fans have the opportunity to bid on a slew of interesting and unique items and experiences associated with Major League Baseball teams. The auction will benefit the renovation of an existing youth baseball and softball field in Little Ferry, N.J., the...

In Nats' blockbuster trade talks, how much is too much?

In Nats' blockbuster trade talks, how much is too much?
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Front office personnel and media members are streaming into the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center for baseball's Winter Meetings. There's a significant presence of curious Nationals fans, too, which is good to see. Well done, NatsTown! Even before early arrivals to the Winter Meetings - which don't officially kick off until Monday, save for the occasional big and unexpected Sunday night announcement (see: Nationals, Jayson Werth, 2010) - lots of eyes have...

Relive "Nationals Classics": Harper's three-homer night

Relive "Nationals Classics": Harper's three-homer night
There's only one "Nationals Classic" on the MASN docket this week, so be sure to tune un at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 (or set your DVR if you're partaking of the second day of Nationals Winterfest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center). This week's offering is a game from May 6, 2015, when Bryce Harper sent a midweek Nationals Park crowd of 31,417 into a frenzy with a power display against Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler. Harper homered three times that night - in his first three...

Bobblehead epiphany leads to busy home-based business for Nats fan

Bobblehead epiphany leads to busy home-based business for Nats fan
Brad Wheedleton's epiphany came at Nationals Park on Sept. 27, 2014, when he received the last of the seven Nationals bobblehead giveaways that season, a Tyler Clippard nodder honoring the beloved and bespectacled reliever. "I'd started collecting and I had the whole series," remembers Wheedleton. "I got the last one and I said to myself, 'My collection needs a place to go.' They were piling up on the desk or in a corner collecting dust. I said to myself, 'I'm going to go home and...

Nationals acquire pitcher Jimmy Cordero from Phillies

Nationals acquire pitcher Jimmy Cordero from Phillies
The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cordero, 25, is 10-12 with a 3.80 ERA over the course of his five-year Minor League career. Originally signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays, Cordero has worked almost exclusively as a reliever during his professional career, starting just...

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Offense aplenty and a memorable no-hitter

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Offense aplenty and a memorable no-hitter
Home runs happen all the time. Well, at least it feels that way at Camden Yards. Especially when the summer heat and humidity settles over the ballpark, the ball seems to zoom over the fences with great regularity. But not all baseball highlights are of the offensive variety, as this week's smattering of "Orioles Classics" demonstrates. Sure, we've got your weekly allotment of homeric hoists, but we've also got the rarest of rare baseball feats: the no-hitter. And not just any no-hitter,...

Orioles name McDowell pitching coach, Mills bullpen coach

Orioles name McDowell pitching coach, Mills bullpen coach
The Orioles today announced that they have named Roger McDowell as Major League pitching coach and Alan Mills as Major League bullpen coach. McDowell, 55, spent the past 11 seasons as the Major League pitching coach with the Atlanta Braves. In that span (2006-16), the Braves pitching staff went 905-876 and ranked fourth among Major League clubs with a 3.88 ERA, including a 3.58 ERA posted by relievers which ranked second in the majors. Each season from 2009-14, Atlanta's ERA ranked in the top...

"Hot Stove Show" returns on 105.7 The Fan beginning Nov. 17

"Hot Stove Show" returns on 105.7 The Fan beginning Nov. 17
It's starting to get colder outside. Know what perfectly combats the chill and satisfies your baseball cravings? The "Hot Stove Show," which returns on 105.7 The Fan beginning Thursday, Nov. 17. Each Thursday, you can tune in to the program from 6-7 p.m. to enjoy an hour of Orioles news, analysis and special guests. Orioles Radio Network and MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter and MASNsports.com Orioles beat writer Roch Kubatko will again host the program, which will emanate live from Dempsey's...

Murphy, Ramos win Silver Slugger Awards

Murphy, Ramos win Silver Slugger Awards
Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy and catcher Wilson Ramos were honored as Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winners on Thursday night, the first such honor for each player in his career. Louisville Slugger made the announcement on MLB Network. Murphy and Ramos are the first second baseman and catcher, respectively, in Nationals history to take home a Silver Slugger Award. The tandem's dual honor makes 2016 the fifth consecutive season the Nationals have had at least one...

Trumbo wins Silver Slugger

Trumbo wins Silver Slugger
Louisville Slugger tonight announced that Orioles OF MARK TRUMBO has been named a recipient of the 2016 Silver Slugger Award for one of three American League outfield positions, becoming the first Orioles outfielder to win the award since Adam Jones in 2013. Trumbo, 30, led Major League Baseball with 47 home runs and ranked tied for eighth with 108 RBI over 159 games with the Orioles this season, becoming the third player in Orioles history to post a 40-homer season in his first year with the...

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Home runs and history abound

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Home runs and history abound
Admit it, you love home runs. I mean, who doesn't? Whether it's a solo blast flying through the warm, summer air to stake the Orioles to a lead or a timely clout in the bottom of the ninth to guarantee a victory, few things beat a roundtripper to bring a baseball crowd to its feet. Even when you're seated comfortably in your recliner, you'll probably fist pump, high-five a family member or shout "Goodbye, home run!" with Gary Thorne when a no-doubter flies off an Oriole's bat. Well, if...

Sod replacement underway at Camden Yards

Sod replacement underway at Camden Yards
If you happen to stroll down Eutaw Street en route for M&T Bank Stadium for tonight's Ravens game - or anytime in the near future - don't be surprised if you glance toward the Camden Yards field and see a lot less green than usual. Sod replacement at the ballpark began today and will run through about Dec. 1, the Orioles announced this afternoon. As I type this, the infield grass is gone, reduced to brown dirt in the past couple of hours by a machine that chewed up the sod and spit it...

Nationals announce 2017 spring training schedule

Nationals announce 2017 spring training schedule
The Washington Nationals announced their 33-game 2017 Spring Training schedule on Monday, featuring 16 games at their new spring home, The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla. Washington will begin the 2017 Inaugural Season at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches with its first home game on Tuesday, Feb. 28, against its partner at the new facility, the Houston Astros. The Nationals will begin their 2017 Grapefruit League slate with three road games, visiting the New York Mets in...

The Ballpark at the Palm Beaches on target for first game on Feb. 28

The Ballpark at the Palm Beaches on target for first game on Feb. 28
Representatives from the Nationals and Astros met this week with Palm Beach County commissioners and told them that the teams' new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, The Ballpark at the Palm Beaches, is expected to open as scheduled on Feb. 28. The Palm Beach Post reported that construction crews are racing to complete the new $148.5 million complex in time for the first scheduled Grapefruit League game. Neither the Nationals nor Astros have released their spring training schedules,...

An early look at where the Nationals rank heading into 2017

An early look at where the Nationals rank heading into 2017
Though the baseball offseason is only two days old, it's a perfect time to start thinking ahead to the 2017 campaign. ESPN.com is doing just that, and yesterday released its first power rankings for the 2017 season. The Nationals are ranked third, behind the World Series champion Cubs and the American League East champion Red Sox. Sweet Spot blogger David Schoenfield acknowledges that the Nats have some questions to answer - right-hander Stephen Strasburg's flexor mass injury, first baseman...