Pete Kerzel

What's left on Mike Rizzo's offseason to-do list?

January 27, 2012, 5:22am

It's less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to Nationals spring training at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., but don't expect general manager Mike Rizzo to be any less diligent about adding to his roster or looking for creative ways to improve his ballclub between now and Feb. 19. "We're trying to improve ourselves in the rotation and in the bullpen and any other way we can, and we're certainly open-minded and we'll not stop working," Rizzo said Wednesday. "We're...

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Nationals agree to terms with right-hander Brad Lidge

January 26, 2012, 6:52am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed relief pitcher Brad Lidge on a one-year contract. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. One of the game's most accomplished active relievers, Lidge is 26-31 with 67 holds, 223 saves and a 3.44 ERA (227 ER/594.0 IP) in 592 career games/one start. In 10 seasons with the Phillies (2008-11) and Astros (2002-07), Lidge has fanned over 31 percent of all batters...

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Nationals add Lidge to bullpen mix on one-year deal

January 26, 2012, 6:44am

Nationals

Yesterday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he had a few more roster "tweaks" in mind before players started reporting to spring training in Viera, Fla. Well, the tweaking is under way. The Nationals have signed former Phillies closer Brad Lidge, adding the right-hander to an already-crowded bullpen picture. Lidge gets a one-year deal for $1 million. The 35-year-old Lidge was 0-2 with a 1.40 ERA and one save in 25 games after rehabbing from a rotator cuff injury in his throwing...

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Give him the ball, but Gonzalez would rather listen than mentor

January 26, 2012, 6:06am

Nationals

Give him the ball, but Gonzalez would rather listen than mentor

When the Nationals traded four top prospects to the A's in exchange for Gio Gonzalez last month, general manager Mike Rizzo talked about the effect the 26-year-old left-hander would have on the Washington rotation. Despite his relative youth, four major league seasons - and three spent primarily as a starting pitcher for the team that gifted "Moneyball" to the game - are more than right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, whose promising careers were interrupted by Tommy John...

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Some leftovers from Mike Rizzo

January 25, 2012, 1:42pm

Nationals

A few leftovers from Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo after today's press conference to introduce left-hander Gio Gonzalez: * Whether Bryce Harper does enough to break spring camp with the major league club will be one of the biggest stories in the Grapefruit League starting next month. Manager Davey Johnson has gone on record as saying he thinks the 19-year-old outfielder can handle big league pitching now, while Rizzo seems to think the top prospect, who has played less than half a...

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New Nat Gio Gonzalez eager to get to work

January 25, 2012, 1:06pm

Nationals

New Nat Gio Gonzalez eager to get to work

First impressions from Gio Gonzalez's introductory press conference: This guy is going to be a lot of fun to be around. Gonzalez is well-spoken, excitable and has his own knack for thoughtful commentary - all of which will play well in the Nationals' clubhouse. On Wednesday afternoon, the Nationals finally got around to introducing Gonzalez, who was acquired last month in a six-player swap that cost Washington four of its top prospects. Gonzalez flipped between sounding like a kid who's...

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Rizzo: Nationals were "very close" to signing Prince Fielder before bowing out

January 25, 2012, 12:39pm

Nationals

If Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was upset at not landing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder, he masked the disappointment well. Speaking after the Nationals introduced left-hander Gio Gonzalez to the media Wednesday afternoon, Rizzo said the Nationals had done their best to come to terms with Fielder, who agreed to a nine-year, $214 million deal. Rizzo even hinted that the Nationals were "very close" to signing Fielder. "Does Prince Fielder help any club he's with? There's...

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O's spring training tickets are now on sale

January 25, 2012, 6:32am

Orioles

O's spring training tickets are now on sale

Mark your calendars, loosen up your dialing fingers and make sure your wrist is limber enough for mouse clicking. Orioles spring training tickets go on sale Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. and you're encouraged to order via telephone and online access for the best chance at the most coveted ducats. Spring training tickets can be purchased in the following ways: * Via the Internet at www.orioles.com/spring. * By telephone, by calling 800-745-3000. Season, group tickets, suites and other...

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After Fielder's choice, what's next for Nationals?

January 24, 2012, 3:24pm

Nationals

There's not much more to say about Prince Fielder's decision to agree to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers this afternoon, ending the most drawn-out free agent pursuit of the offseason. Several of the clubs interested in the slugging first baseman could have offered him the chance to win. Several of those teams could have offered him the opportunity to reprise Reggie Jackson's persona as the straw that stirs the drink. A couple could have offered him long-term security....

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Reports: Fielder spurns Nationals, signs nine-year deal with Tigers

January 24, 2012, 10:22am

Nationals

According to multiple reports, Prince Fielder isn't coming to Washington. The Tigers have agreed to sign the slugging first baseman to a nine-year deal worth $214 million. Five days after Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said of Fielder, "He doesn't fit for us. He's looking for a long-term deal and that just doesn't fit," theTigers swooped in at the end of the negotiations, emerging as the mystery team that snagged the powerful left-handed hitter. Assuming those contract figures are true, the...

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What if ... Smiley Gonzalez hadn't turned out to be Carlos Alvarez?

January 24, 2012, 10:03am

Nationals

What if ... Smiley Gonzalez hadn't turned out to be Carlos Alvarez?

When baseball wags talk about a "player to be named later" - and really, shouldn't it be "player to be named," since you're already talking about something that will happen in the future? - they mean an asset in a trade that's yet to be determined. In Washington, that nomenclature has a totally different meaning, since the Nationals have had to deal with the subterfuge and deception that actually caused them not to know the name of a Dominican teenager to whom they gave a $1.4 million...

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MASN announces Nationals spring training broadcast schedule

January 24, 2012, 8:06am

Nationals

MASN, the television home of the Washington Nationals, has announced its 2012 spring training schedule. The network will televise seven Nationals spring training games, and all will appear on MASN's dedicated high-definition channel, MASN HD. The Nationals' March 4 home game against the Houston Astros in Viera, Florida, will kick off MASN's Grapefruit League coverage. MASN will broadcast four more games from Space Coast Stadium, the team's spring training home: March 13 against the...

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MASN announces O's spring training broadcast schedule

January 24, 2012, 8:04am

Orioles

MASN announces O's spring training broadcast schedule

MASN, the television home of the Baltimore Orioles, has announced its 2012 spring training schedule. The network will televise six Orioles spring training games and all will appear on MASN HD. The Orioles' March 5 prime time Grapefruit League opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota, Florida, will kick off MASN's spring training coverage. MASN will broadcast five more games from Ed Smith Stadium, the team's spring training home: March 11 against the Boston Red Sox; March 18...

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Seven Nationals spring training games to air on MASN (updated with radio schedule)

January 24, 2012, 6:36am

Nationals

It may be in the 50s today, but here's something guaranteed to create some additional warm feelings in NatsTown: the Nationals' 2012 spring training broadcast schedule on MASN. Seven Nationals Grapefruit League games will be televised on MASN's dedicated high-definition channel, MASN HD, beginning with a Sunday, March 4 game from Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., against the Houston Astros. All afternoon games will be replayed the same day in prime time on MASN HD. * Sunday, March 4 at 1...

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Orioles sign veteran infielder Wilson Betemit

January 24, 2012, 6:14am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed infielder Wilson Betemit to a two-year contract with a vesting option for 2014. Betemit, 30, batted .285/.343/.452 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 97 games for Kansas City (57) and Detroit (40) in 2011, including a .303 average and .865 OPS in 263 plate appearances from the left side. He has batted .298/.367/.501 with 54 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 433 at-bats against right-handed pitching in the last two seasons. Betemit owned an .871 OPS...

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Rounding up news on Fielder, Zimmerman (updated)

January 23, 2012, 5:28pm

Nationals

Rounding up news on Fielder, Zimmerman (updated)

Better prepare for the long haul - it's going to be a while before Prince Fielder comes to a decision on where he's going to play in 2012 and beyond. To get your morning started, here are some random thoughts related to the Nationals, their pursuit of Fielder and other news in and around NatsTown: * Fielder and agent Scott Boras are holding firm on their demand for a deal of eight years or more. That's not going to fly with the Nationals, who would prefer a shorter term - say, five or six...

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How about an O's ticket for your birthday?

January 23, 2012, 10:26am

Orioles

How about an O's ticket for your birthday?

You already know the Orioles are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards in 2012. Once again, the club is also making it possible for you to celebrate your birthday at the one of the game's most iconic ballparks. The Orioles will gift one complimentary upper reserve ticket to a non-prime game for during your birthday month for each fan who registers here. If your birthday falls in January, February or March, you get an April non-prime game. If you were born in October, November or...

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Rumor mill churning on Fielder, Upton

January 23, 2012, 7:12am

Nationals

First things first: That report last night indicating that the Nationals had come to an agreement with Prince Fielder on an eight-year deal with an opt-out clause after the third season was erroneous. My sources tell me that no deal is imminent, though the Nationals continue to be interested in the slugging first baseman, but only on their terms. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweeted this morning that there is "something close to a final 4" on Fielder. Whether this constitutes reality or is...

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The sound of silence (updated)

January 22, 2012, 4:45am

Nationals

It's difficult to interpret Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo's prolonged silence on the subject of Prince Fielder. Either the club continues to negotiate with the free agent slugger in hopes that he'll man first base in 2012, or talks have again reached an impasse. There's really not much middle ground. One thing we do know: This is standard operating procedure from Rizzo, who clearly prefers the backroom, behind-the-scenes approach to his job, as opposed to those front office...

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Five questions about Michael Morse's multi-year deal

January 20, 2012, 5:12pm

Nationals

Five questions about Michael Morse's multi-year deal

While you're digesting whatever was for dinner tonight - for me, it was PF Chang's kung-pao chicken, stir-fried in sirachi sauce - it's also a good time to deliberate the two-year, $10.5 million extension between the Nationals and outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse that was announced late this afternoon. The contract essentially buys out the slugger's final two arbitration years after a breakout 2011 season, but raises some questions. So here's five queries and their answers concerning...