Pete Kerzel

Which long-term extension do Nats get done first?

December 22, 2013, 9:17am

While Mike Rizzo has finished most of his offseason heavy lifting, the Nationals general manager can't sit back and coast until opening day against the Mets at Citi Field. What few holes existed on the blueprint for 2014 are filled; now Rizzo can turn his attentions to more far-reaching pursuits. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond are both in line for long-term extensions. Both want to remain in Washington, which is pretty logical considering they are both home-grown and...

Tags:

Who's the Nationals' X factor for next season?

December 21, 2013, 11:19am

Nationals

Grant Paulsen has to be the hardest-working guy at SiriusXM Radio. When I toted my Thai takeout in from the car Friday night, he was tag-teaming with Mel Antonen on the evening show on MLB Network Radio. When I get in the car after my Saturday morning Old Bagel and turn on the satellite radio, Paulsen is there again, breaking news of the Shin-Soo Choo signing by the Rangers. He's back on this morning on "Minors and Majors," the weekly show on the minor leagues. Does the guy ever...

Tags:

adam laroche bryce harper drew storen ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg tyler clippard featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Catcher Chris Snyder signs minor league deal with Nats (with Daubach note, update)

December 21, 2013, 8:42am

Nationals

Catcher Chris Snyder signs minor league deal with Nats (with Daubach note, update)

If you're a fringe major leaguer hoping to find employment for the 2014 season, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Teams are handing out minor league contracts with spring training invitations like stocking stuffers, and the Nationals made such a move today. Though it's relatively minor, it could pay significant dividends down the road. Catcher Chris Snyder signed a minor league contract with the Nationals and will get the ubiquitous invitation to major league camp. If his name...

Tags:

brian daubach chris snyder nationals nationals buzz nationals farm report pete kerzel frontstory_nationals3

Calendar might dictate when Nats make final roster tweaks

December 20, 2013, 9:59am

Nationals

Calendar might dictate when Nats make final roster tweaks

I have an alternate theory on the trade earlier this week that sent outfielder Corey Brown back to the A's in exchange for cash considerations: It was easier for Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo to ship another player to the A's than it was for him to try to maneuver a bottle of fine wine past the TSA checkpoint for holiday dinner with A's GM Billy Beane's family. OK, I kid, I kid. Check out Dan Kolko's explanation of the many deals between Rizzo and Beane in this post from yesterday....

Tags:

featured_sidebar mike rizzo nationals pete kerzel frontstory_nationals3

Yard Work: Plan the work, work the plan, leave nothing to chance

December 20, 2013, 6:27am

Orioles

Yard Work: Plan the work, work the plan, leave nothing to chance

Camden Yards is a gem, a rare baseball cathedral that blends classic, retro style with today's version of the national pastime. But its lush outfield grass and manicured infield don't happen by accident. They're the result of a year-round effort by head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and her talented grounds crew. Each month during this offseason, Orioles Buzz will check in with McFadyen to see what's happening on the field at Camden Yards as the grounds crew prepares for the 2014...

Tags:

nicole mcfadyen orioles orioles buzz pete kerzel yard work frontstory_orioles3

Eat, drink, shop and be merry at Dempsey's on Dec. 20

December 19, 2013, 8:37am

Orioles

Eat, drink, shop and be merry at Dempsey's on Dec. 20

If you're downtown tomorrow afternoon and haven't yet finished your holiday shopping - or just in need of some seasonal cheer - check out a special combination happy hour/bazaar at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant at Camden Yards. From 4-8 p.m., revelers can listen to a live jazz band, partake of happy hour food and drink specials, and shop a variety of local vendors who will be set up at the ballpark eatery. The Oriole Bird will be there, too, and rumor has it that he'll be dressed as...

Tags:

dempsey's brew pub & restaurant oriole bird orioles buzz pete kerzel

Orioles obtain Lough from Royals in exchange for Valencia

December 18, 2013, 11:35am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder David Lough from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielder Danny Valancia. Lough, 27, batted .286/.311/.413 in 96 games for Kansas City in 2013, playing all three outfield positions. He finished 8th in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting, leading AL rookies in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) per both Baseball-Reference (2.7) and FanGraphs (2.4, tied with Tampa Bay's Wil Myers). Among all outfielders that played...

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Nationals announce four-year deal with Triple-A affiliate Syracuse

December 18, 2013, 9:34am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a four-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League through the 2018 season. Nationals President & General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President/Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement. "This is the first PDC...

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

OriolesREACH to host fourth annual Birdland Golf Classic in Sarasota

December 17, 2013, 10:46am

Orioles

On Monday, February 17, the Orioles will hold the 4th Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at Laurel Oak Country Club to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. The event begins with registration and lunch at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start set for 12:30 p.m. The classic will feature a silent auction and the chance to play a round with current and former Orioles players and...

Tags:

orioles Orioles News Release

McLouth deal official, Corey Brown DFA

December 12, 2013, 10:34am

Nationals

ORLANDO, Fla. - Greetings from Orlando International Airport, where I've just arrived through the security checkpoint to news that the Nationals' deal with outfielder Nate McLouth is official. That means McLouth passed his physical and that his $10.75 million deal is official. The Nationals envision the veteran, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, as a perfect fourth outfielder, since he's able to play all positions, is a plus defender and adds a dimension of speed to the bench. In...

Tags:

nate mclouth nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nationals add Bowe, Arias in Triple-A phase of Rule 5

December 12, 2013, 5:23am

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Nationals added a pair of players in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning, selecting fleet outfielder Theo Bowe in the first round and right-hander Martires Arias in the second round. Bowe played in 99 games last season for Double-A Pensacola, the Southern League affiliate of the Reds, where he hit .206 with four homers and 16 RBIs. While those numbers might not be exciting, the fact that the 23-year-old out of Milford High School in...

Tags:

doug harris martires arias nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel rule 5 draft theo bowe nationals farm report

NatsFest set for Jan. 25, event moving to Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

December 11, 2013, 12:40pm

Nationals

NatsFest set for Jan. 25, event moving to Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Mark your calendars for Jan. 25 - that's when the Nationals will hold NatsFest, which is moving this year to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. According to team officials, the Nationals worked diligently to hold the event again at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, but could not because of limited date availability at that facility. Tickets will be available for purchase online at nationals.com/natsfest starting tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 12 at...

Tags:

nationals nationals buzz natsfest pete kerzel winter meetings frontstory_nationals3

After "shock" of trade, new reliever Blevins eager to get started with Nats (updated)

December 11, 2013, 11:55am

Nationals

After "shock" of trade, new reliever Blevins eager to get started with Nats (updated)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Family members had clued Jerry Blevins in to the fact that his name was being mentioned in trade rumors at the Winter Meetings over the past couple of days. But the left-handed reliever was still surprised when an A's official phoned him Wednesday afternoon to tell him he'd been traded to the Nationals in exchange for minor league outfielder Billy Burns. "I got a call from someone in the A's organization letting me know I'd been traded," Blevins said by telephone...

Tags:

mike rizzo nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel winter meetings jerry blevins frontstory_nationals1

The evolution of Matt Williams' managerial style

December 10, 2013, 12:55pm

Nationals

The evolution of Matt Williams' managerial style

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - One of the most interesting storylines that will play out when the Nationals arrive at Space Coast Stadium for their first spring training under new skipper Matt Williams is his evolution as a manager. While Williams has said he wants to be aggressive - playing to players' strengths, forcing things on offense and making opponents defend against his club - Williams is pretty much a blank canvas as a manager. Yes, there was some fill-in work at Double-A Mobile, and a...

Tags:

matt williams mike rizzo naitonals nationals buzz pete kerzel winter meetings frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Williams says Strasburg will be "full go" for spring training (Rizzo says Nats may be "cautious")

December 10, 2013, 10:02am

Nationals

Williams says Strasburg will be "full go" for spring training (Rizzo says Nats may be "cautious")

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - New Nationals manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow in late October, will be "full go" for spring training. "His rehab has gone phenomenal," Williams said while addressing reporters at the Winter Meetings. "Everything checks out from a medical standpoint. He is ready to go, day one spring training. Full go." Strasburg's surgery, performed in Los Angeles, caused...

Tags:

bryce harper matt williams nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel stephen strasburg winter meetings frontstory_nationals2

It won't be easy for teams to pry Clippard or Storen from Nats

December 10, 2013, 7:17am

Nationals

It won't be easy for teams to pry Clippard or Storen from Nats

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The hotel lobby at the Winter Meetings is a magical place. Think of it as nirvana for baseball geeks, a confusing confluence of scouts, executives, agents, players, former players and media types, all trying to sniff out the latest shred of a rumor without being too obvious. This morning's tour of the Dolphin Resort at Disney brought a lot of chatter about interest in two Nationals relievers - right-handers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard. Most teams in the majors are...

Tags:

drew storen nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel tyler clippard winter meetings frontstory_nationals1

Young starting pitchers could serve bullpen apprenticeships

December 09, 2013, 1:43pm

Nationals

Young starting pitchers could serve bullpen apprenticeships

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The acquisition of Doug Fister and an impending spring training competition for the fifth starter's spot in the Nationals rotation has created a crunch for the young starting pitchers vying for a spot on the 25-man roster out of spring training. While it wouldn't be surprising to see right-handers Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark or Nate Karns forming the bulk of the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse should they not make the major league club out of spring training, there's...

Tags:

mike rizzo nathan karns nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel tanner roark tyler jordan winter meetings featured_sidebar

Rizzo on McLouth: "We'll find ample at-bats"

December 09, 2013, 1:04pm

Nationals

Rizzo on McLouth: "We'll find ample at-bats"

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Though his starting outfield is set - with Bryce Harper in left field, Denard Span in center field and Jayson Werth in right field - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo placed a high priority this offseason in adding a dependable left-handed bat off the bench. Rizzo wanted someone versatile enough to play all three positions well, a hitter with enough pop to hit the occasional home run and a guy who could add an element of speed to the aggressive style new manager...

Tags:

mike rizzo nate mclouth nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel winter meetings frontstory_nationals2

Will Buck stop with Nationals?

December 09, 2013, 3:58am

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Greetings from the Hemisphere Ballroom, which functions as the media work room for the Winter Meetings. The lobby is starting to buzz and the work room is beginning to fill up with reporters, many of whom are finally arriving after having their flights from the great white - and icy - north delayed, postponed or canceled. I won't throw the fact that the weather forecaster on the local FOX affiliate told me it was going to be "really, really warm for December" here...

Tags:

john buck nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel wilson ramos winter meetings frontstory_nationals1

On rumors, mystery teams and improving the Nationals

December 08, 2013, 6:04am

Nationals

I'm sitting at Gate B-4 at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, having decided it's better to arrive early for a 1 p.m. fight with a wintry mix in the weather forecast than to risk getting shut out of my Airport FastPark, my preferred long-term parking destination for business excursions. Better safe than sorry, right? My friends who are trying to fly out of Reagan National or Dulles bound for Orlando (and, eventually, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., site of the annual...