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How important are these stats for pitching staffs?

February 09, 2022, 1:29pm

Orioles

How important are these stats for pitching staffs?

The topic of the Orioles signing more groundball pitchers came up in the comments section of the blog yesterday. It is a topic worthy of discussion. The basic thinking states that ground balls are generally easier to turn into outs than fly balls and we have yet to see a hitter drive a grounder over the outfield fence. It's guaranteed to keep the ball in the ballpark. The pitcher we discussed here yesterday, O's lefty John Means, is not a groundball pitcher. His 2021 groundball rate of 32.9...

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Who's in Nats rotation at this point?

February 09, 2022, 6:03pm

Nationals

We haven't talked much about the Nationals roster in the last two months, because the roster hasn't changed at all in the last two months. So it might be time for a refresher on the current state of things, because it's easy to forget what this team currently has in place for 2022 and what it still needs to address once everyone's allowed to address needs again. Obviously, there will be an opportunity to add players as soon as the lockout ends, though it could be quite a mad rush by all 30...

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There are likely no untouchables in trade talks

February 11, 2022, 1:26pm

Orioles

There are likely no untouchables in trade talks

It was around Thanksgiving and it was a tweet that got a lot of attention around Birdland. ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted the Orioles were "dangling" lefty John Means in trade talks. Olney cited other teams, not the Orioles, as his source. When a credible national reporter states such, it should get our attention. He does have great sources within the game. But I as wrote in this entry, I felt it was a matter more of the Orioles doing due diligence. I pointed out that there must be numerous...

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Discussing pitching prospects, 20-game winners and more

February 12, 2022, 7:00am

Orioles

Discussing pitching prospects, 20-game winners and more

Orioles pitching prospect Kyle Bradish is ranked among the club's top 10 prospects on lists from Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com. He is rated No. 8 by MLBPipeline.com and No. 9 via Baseball America. This week, FanGraphs.com topped that, ranking the right-hander No. 7 when it released its list of the O's top 45 prospects. The outlet puts a 60 grade on his fastball, which tops in the 97 mph range, and a 55 on his curveball. As I have noted numerous times in this blog, FanGraphs also noted...

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Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?

February 12, 2022, 6:27pm

Nationals

Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?

Nobody really expected Major League Baseball's latest offer to players to bring an immediate end to the lockout, but there was hope it would at least spark more aggressive negotiations between the two warring parties as the clock ticks down to the point of no return. Based on the immediate reaction widely reported Saturday, it didn't achieve that goal. And that's only going to leave more people around the sport worried the season might not actually start on time. We don't have to delve into...

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Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues

February 13, 2022, 8:07pm

Nationals

Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues

The National Football League crowned a new champion Sunday night, the Rams winning their first Super Bowl in 22 years (when they still played in St. Louis), making this their first Lombardi Trophy while representing Los Angeles. And they did so by beating a Bengals franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years, a franchise still seeking its first title after this heartbreaking loss. The NFL, with its salary cap and even distribution of television money (something it can do...

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Was Adon's impressive debut a sign of things to come?

February 14, 2022, 6:30pm

Nationals

Was Adon's impressive debut a sign of things to come?

As the lockout drags on, we're taking this opportunity to break down some players in the Nationals organization who haven't garnered as many headlines. Today we look at right-hander Joan Adon, who spent most of 2021 in the low minor leagues but made a big impression in his major league debut on the season's final day. ... RHP JOAN ADON Bats/Throws: R/R Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 242 lbs. Age on opening day 2022: 23 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016 Service time: 1...

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Zimmerman announces retirement after standout career

February 15, 2022, 10:58am

Nationals

Zimmerman announces retirement after standout career

Ryan Zimmerman could've kept playing. But after 17 years with the Nationals, countless franchise records, a World Series title and a fitting farewell on the final day of the 2021 season, there really was nothing left to prove. So the face of the Nationals since the franchise made him its first draft pick in 2005 made it official today: He's retiring after a remarkable career with one organization that has become increasingly exceptional in the modern sports world. "Although my baseball...

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Face of franchise stayed true to himself through the end

February 15, 2022, 7:11pm

Nationals

Face of franchise stayed true to himself through the end

The Nationals drafted Ryan Zimmerman on June 7, 2005, making the lanky third baseman from the University of Virginia the No. 4 pick in the country. The Nationals also signed Zimmerman on June 7, 2005, immediately agreeing with the 20-year-old on a $2.975 million signing bonus that would allow him to begin his professional career right away and ultimately allow him to reach the big leagues for good only three months later. "I didn't want to be one of those guys that sits out the whole...

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Orioles sign Long to minor league deal

February 16, 2022, 10:41am

Orioles

The Orioles made their first transaction of 2022 that didn't involve the international market, with an industry source confirming that they've signed Shed Long Jr. to a minor league deal. The lockout prevents moves that impact the 40-man roster. The Mariners outrighted Long, 26, in October after he batted .198/.258/.360 with four doubles, a triple and four home runs in 34 games, and he elected free agency. Long underwent surgery in September 2020 to repair a stress fracture in his right...

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Nats' offer was reasonable, but so was Soto's response

February 16, 2022, 6:15pm

Nationals

Nats' offer was reasonable, but so was Soto's response

The 13-year, $350 million offer the Nationals made to Juan Soto shortly before the lockout began was a reasonable move by the organization. And Soto's decision to turn down that gargantuan offer was just as reasonable a move. What does all that mean in the big picture? It means it's going to take a historic contract to keep Soto in D.C., and it's probably not going to happen until he has the opportunity to field offers from 29 other clubs as a free agent following the 2024 season. And a...

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Missing the simple pleasures of spring training

February 17, 2022, 6:35pm

Nationals

Missing the simple pleasures of spring training

An old tweet of mine popped up Thursday. Exactly two years old, to be precise. It featured a slow-motion video of the Nationals holding their now-infamous "Cabbage Race" outside their spring training clubhouse. Sean Doolittle, designated closer for the team captained by Max Scherzer, was last to receive a head of cabbage that made its way all the way down a line of teammates and slammed it to the ground just before Daniel Hudson, closing for Stephen Strasburg's team, slammed his. It set off...

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Did the 1994-95 strike ultimately help bring MLB to D.C.?

February 24, 2022, 6:06pm

Nationals

Did the 1994-95 strike ultimately help bring MLB to D.C.?

Baseball is perhaps only a few days away from an event that hasn't been experienced in 27 years, one the commissioner himself recently said would be "disastrous" for the sport. Major League Baseball has said if it and the MLB Players Association can't agree to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement by Monday, some regular season games will be canceled. Whether that actually proves to be true remains to be seen, because the MLBPA insists the Feb. 28 deadline set forth by commissioner...

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Springing ahead with more Orioles camp memories

February 24, 2022, 5:51am

Orioles

Until the lockout ends and major league spring training camps finally open, I'm left to reminisce about past stays in Florida. The many stories that unfolded, some of which never made it into print. The many mornings spent inside the clubhouse and on the back fields. The road trips, more grueling when the home site was down in Fort Lauderdale. The unexpected arrivals and departures. I'll share a few more today: Betemit's knee injury Media wanting to interview the starting pitcher or a...

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Thursday morning Nats Q and A

February 23, 2022, 7:36pm

Nationals

Well, we've just about reached the point of no return. For nearly three months, we've speculated the lockout likely wouldn't end until the two sides faced a significant deadline: the potential loss of regular season games. And now, alas, we are on the verge of reaching that point. Major League Baseball reiterated Wednesday that if a deal is not in place by Monday, opening day will not proceed as scheduled March 31, adding that any games lost would not be made up and players would not be paid...

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Looking at lingering questions as spring training remains on hold

February 23, 2022, 12:31pm

Orioles

Looking at lingering questions as spring training remains on hold

The eventual implementation of a new collective bargaining agreement and the abolishment of the lockout that began on Dec. 2 are going to leave plenty of questions spread across baseball's landscape. Answers may be staggered like the players who arrived in camp last spring. Or perhaps we'll be educated with one big news release. The date of the CBA and how much of spring training is lost are going to be factors. Will the sacrifices be confined to exhibition games? Four days remain before...

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Two more Orioles spring training storylines

February 22, 2022, 11:36am

Orioles

The meetings between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Associations are strung together this week like pearls. The goal is to end the lockout before we ring in a new month. Spring training is on hold, with at least seven exhibition games lost. I've already written 18 anticipated camp storylines, however I'm able to revisit them. If I'm able to revisit them. There's the rotation behind John Means and Jordan Lyles, whether Adley Rutschman will get a fair shot at breaking camp with the...

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What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?

February 21, 2022, 7:08pm

Nationals

What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?

If you're the optimistic sort, you probably looked at Monday's face-to-face meetings between Major League Baseball owners and player representatives, which took up most of the afternoon in Jupiter, Fla., as encouraging news. At last they two sides were talking in person, with actual participants involved, extending and reacting to competing offers, caucusing in separate corners for a while, then returning to present counteroffers before breaking for the day. If you're the pessimistic type,...

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The little we've learned in recent days

February 21, 2022, 2:39pm

Orioles

Exactly one week has passed since Orioles pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Devising a new collective bargaining agreement also is complex, but the sides met yesterday in Jupiter - they caucused for about three hours separately before reconvening late in the afternoon - and Major League Baseball reportedly made modifications on the bonus pool and draft lottery, but there were no discussions about the luxury tax. They'll try again this...

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DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years

February 20, 2022, 6:20pm

Nationals

DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years

Whether the lockout ends later this week, later this month or just some time way later down the road, we do already know one significant change that appears to be coming to all of Major League Baseball. For all the rancor between the league and the players over a host of issues, the one hot-button topic they seem to agree on is the designated hitter. Despite more than 120 years of established history with pitchers batting for themselves, the National League is poised to make the DH a permanent...