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Domenic Vadala: Should the Orioles buy or stand pat?

July 22, 2015, 6:15am

Orioles

If you read my column on Birds Watcher, perhaps you've noticed that we've started looking toward the trade deadline. This year, the Orioles do in a way find themselves in a bit of a dilemma. I'm not one of those folks suggesting that the Orioles should consider selling off because "they aren't good enough" or something like that. But in my view the real dilemma is "buy or stand pat?" The Orioles are a contending team, so let's just dismiss the notion of selling right now. So that...

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Zach Wilt: Orioles' biggest need at the trade deadline

July 23, 2015, 7:00am

Orioles

When Major League Baseball added a second Wild Card to each league in 2012, the trade market completely changed. As I look at the standings here on July 23, six teams are within five games for an American League Wild Card berth. If you include the three division leaders and two teams that current sit in a Wild Card spot, that's 11 of the league's 15 teams. How is it possible that only four clubs will sell at deadline? Maybe it's time to push pack that date another two weeks. Prior to Game...

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Matthew Taylor: Closer look at young Orioles who rivaled Machado's outstanding season

July 24, 2015, 7:38am

Orioles

If you're looking for bright spots in a disappointing season, look no further than the hot corner where Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continues to take on the look of a superstar in the making. After some unexpected early season defensive struggles, Machado has reclaimed his form in the field and taken on a new form in the batter's box. It's fair to say that Machado is having one of the best offensive seasons a young Orioles player has ever had. To make that kind of statement, we need...

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Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

July 22, 2015, 6:23am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

Here's the thing about Tuesday night's game at Nationals Park between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets - Washington starter Joe Ross threw a good game. He was able to keep up with 2015 All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom in a head-to-had match-up, which should be viewed as an accomplishment for the young rookie pitcher. The unfortunate part is that the accomplishment dissolved amid a quiet offense and struggling relief pitchers. The onus isn't completely on the quiet offense. deGrom is a...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Nationals in good place after All-Star break

July 21, 2015, 5:48am

Nationals

The All-Star break has passed and the second half of the 2015 MLB season has officially begun. After the series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Nationals face the Mets to kick off the second half. This is the first time the Nats are facing their second-place rival since the first week of May, if you can believe it. Even with all the injuries and the poor performance in May, it was a very good first half for the Nats. They ended the first half with sole possession of first...

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David Huzzard: Explanation of slow trade market

July 23, 2015, 6:32am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Explanation of slow trade market

By next Friday, our memories on this trade deadline will be very different, but the current atmosphere is one of inaction. The biggest news we have is that the Tigers might be sellers but haven't made up their minds. Lots of people blame the second wild card for the lack of moves, but the Reds, Phillies, Braves, Padres, Athletics, and a few other clubs are known to be sellers. The inaction can best be explained by what people think should happen and what is actually going to happen. Look at...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Hoping for a big splash from Nats at trade deadline

July 27, 2015, 3:24pm

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Hoping for a big splash from Nats at trade deadline

The trade deadline: baseball's most frantic and exciting time of the year. Already, Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir and Juan Uribe have been dealt to the Royals, Astros and Mets, respectively. There are probably a lot more deals coming before July 31 as teams that are postseason contenders are buying, and teams that probably won't make it to October are selling. The first-place Nationals are probably buyers this year because they have a few holes that need to be fixed to be playoff-ready. Last...

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Matt Kremnitzer: O's offense could use Hardy's power

July 27, 2015, 7:27pm

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: O's offense could use Hardy's power

Whether or not the Orioles end up making a major acquisition before the trade deadline, one of the most frustrating parts of this season has been the lack of production from position players who have previously demonstrated the ability to play well. Steve Pearce, Travis Snider, Delmon Young, and Alejandro De Aza are far from stars, but when used correctly, they have been able to contribute. Perhaps the expectations were too high for many of the O's role players. Despite his timely walk-off...

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Andrew Stetka: Development woes create clear path for Orioles

July 27, 2015, 5:10am

Orioles

This week's non-waiver trade deadline is unlike any in years for the Orioles. Not only do the O's have the clear distinction of not really knowing where they sit on the buy/sell fence, but there's also a certain weight of importance with this deadline because of key pending free agents. Some people you talk to are fully on the sell train, while others believe this team has a real chance to defend its American League East crown. I don't dismiss that this team can be competitive down the...

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Marty Niland: Taylor's breakout recalls past Senators rookie phenom Allison

July 27, 2015, 4:40am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Taylor's breakout recalls past Senators rookie phenom Allison

There's nothing quite like seeing a major league rookie come into his own, especially when he's making the most of an opportunity to fill in for a starter. You can say, "I remember when ..." So it was fun watching Michael A. Taylor have a breakout weekend, even though the Nationals lost a difficult series in Pittsburgh and saw their NL East lead over the New York Mets shrink to two games. The rookie recorded the first four-hit game of his career on Saturday, including a two-run,...

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Marty Niland: Nats get some good news on a tough weekend

July 20, 2015, 5:23am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats get some good news on a tough weekend

It was a frustrating, weekend of dormant offense for the Nationals against Dodgers aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, who combined to hold the Nats scoreless for 18 innings, striking out 25 batters. Amid all the whiffs and groundouts, however, the Nats did get a key bit of good news: Injured stars Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are all off to good starts on minor league rehab assignments. Although none will be on the field for what has turned out to be a crucial series...

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Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

July 19, 2015, 1:21pm

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

We're entering that portion of the baseball season where things start to get crazy. The non-waiver trading deadline is less than two weeks away, and teams are really starting to decide where they stand and whether or not they have what it takes to make a move. For the Orioles, this decision comes with many tentacles. The O's are a team looking to build off three straight winning seasons, which included the first division title since 1997. The problem is that the team still has a few glaring...

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Matthew Taylor: Will Nats' Harper be taking aim at warehouse this weekend?

July 10, 2015, 6:05am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Will Nats' Harper be taking aim at warehouse this weekend?

Would you be OK with a batter from a visiting team hitting the B&O Warehouse at Camden Yards? What if it were a member of the New York Yankees? The Boston Red Sox? How about the Washington Nationals? What if Bryce Harper were to do it this weekend? Two years ago, then-Washington Examiner columnist Thom Loverro predicted that Harper would hit the warehouse, boasting, "They might as well order the plaque now. Sooner or later, he is going to hit that warehouse." Loverro argued it could well...

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Zach Wilt: Manny Machado and the Home Run Derby

July 09, 2015, 5:23am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Manny Machado and the Home Run Derby

For the third consecutive season, an Orioles player will be participating in the Home Run Derby. Chris Davis represented Charm City in 2013 and Adam Jones donned the orange and black at the Derby a year ago. This year, 23-year-old Manny Machado will step into the batter's box and look to be the first Oriole to win the contest since Miguel Tejada in 2004. In 2015, the Home Run Derby has a few changes. For starters, it's now a single-elimination bracket-style tournament, where players are...

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David Huzzard: Re-examining how free agency affects the Nationals

July 09, 2015, 5:06am

Nationals

One of the big refrains coming into the 2015 season for the Nationals was that because of the loss of pending free agents Denard Span, Ian Desmond, Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann at the end of the season, the window is closing. While this has always been somewhat faulty logic, it made sense that the Nationals would have difficulty replacing four good players. But the season has not gone according to plan, and the idea that the window would be closing because of the loss of those four players...

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Domenic Vadala: Would a small change benefit Birds?

July 07, 2015, 6:18pm

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: Would a small change benefit Birds?

First off, greetings from the Delmarva shore, which is where I am this week! I'm taking my annual summer hiatus from the big city, if you will - so far so good, I suppose! Much like Ocean City, coastal Delaware is a place that's chock full of orange and black this time of year, and as I've walked along the boardwalks of the "Small Wonder State," I've seen lots of TVs showing Orioles games in bars and restaurants. Speaking of small wonders, we all know that small ball is a part of the...

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Rachel Levitin: Respect for Harper's decision on Home Run Derby

July 08, 2015, 5:13am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Respect for Harper's decision on Home Run Derby

The votes are in and it's all official - Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper are going to the All-Star Game to represent the Nationals. The 2015 game in Cincinnati is Scherzer's third game and first appearance with the Nats, while this is Harper's third appearance at the All-Star Game and festivities. This time around, Harper will not be participating in the Home Run Derby after receiving a National League record of 13.85 million fan votes. Harper is hot this season, which is why he's landed a...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Picking the Nationals' all-time All-Stars

July 07, 2015, 5:43am

Nationals

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is on Tuesday, July 14. At least one representative from each major league team plays for home field advantage in the World Series. Fans vote for the starting nine position players, a players' vote fills in reserves, and then the manager consults with the leagues and picks the pitching staff and remaining bench players. This year's contest is at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Two Nationals made it in - Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer - and that...

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Matt Kremnitzer: O'Day has been better than ever

July 06, 2015, 7:36pm

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: O'Day has been better than ever

Darren O'Day is a very good relief pitcher, but you already know that. You probably also know by now that O'Day was selected to the All-Star Game along with fellow Orioles Adam Jones, Manny Machado, and Zach Britton. All are deserving choices, though plenty of deserving players around the league are left off the team each year. Regardless, it's impressive to have four players on the team overall and two pitchers from the same bullpen. It's impossible to watch O'Day pitch without marveling...

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Andrew Stetka: Important trading deadline looming for Orioles

July 06, 2015, 5:15am

Orioles

As the Orioles hike their way through July, the end of the month looms as one of the more crucial periods in the franchise's recent history. The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline could provide a good sense of where the team is going the rest of the season, and perhaps over the next few seasons. The Orioles have eight pending free agents on the roster. Many have questioned the team's ability to re-sign certain players like Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Wei-Yin Chen. Those are what I would...