nationals

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

December 07, 2016, 3:35pm

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...

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Rizzo on trade: "We certainly got what we wanted in Adam Eaton"

December 07, 2016, 2:56pm

Nationals

Rizzo on trade: "We certainly got what we wanted in Adam Eaton"

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals knew all along the price tag to acquire the kind of impact players they were seeking in trades would be steep. And so when the opportunity arose this week to acquire one of their primary outfield targets, Adam Eaton, they knew they'd have to make the tough call to deal away not one, not two, but three of their most prized possessions: Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning. "You've got to give to get," general manager Mike Rizzo said in formally...

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Nationals acquire Eaton for Giolito, Lopez, Dunning

December 07, 2016, 12:17pm

Nationals

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals are about to acquire their much-desired new outfielder in a trade, but it's not the guy who has drawn most of the headlines over the last week. The Nats and White Sox have agreed to a deal that would bring Adam Eaton to Washington in exchange for pitching prospects Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning, according to a source familiar with the talks. The trade's completion is still contingent upon the review of all players' medical records, but...

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

December 07, 2016, 10:30am

Nationals

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...

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More McCutchen trade news, notes on Ross, Agustin and Robles

December 07, 2016, 6:05am

Nationals

More McCutchen trade news, notes on Ross, Agustin and Robles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals and Pirates continue negotiations for a potential trade of center fielder Andrew McCutchen to D.C. Last week, right-hander Reynaldo Lopez and minor league center fielder Victor Robles appeared to be a part of the initial talks between the clubs. Fast-forward to this week and the deal that sent Chris Sale from the White Sox to Boston. The latest is the Nationals apparently balked at an offering that included Robles and right-hander Lucas Giolito, a source...

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Morning notes on Ramos, Davis, former closers and McCutchen

December 06, 2016, 7:53pm

Nationals

Morning notes on Ramos, Davis, former closers and McCutchen

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Day Three of the Winter Meetings has arrived, and the Nationals roster ... well, it hasn't changed at all since this event officially kicked off Monday morning. Which isn't to say the roster won't change before the event officially ends after Thursday morning's Rule 5 draft. And even if it doesn't, there's no reason to believe it won't change as the remainder of the offseason plays out. In fact, recent Nationals history suggests just that. Trea Turner and Joe Ross...

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Rizzo on Sale: "We reached as far as we were going to reach"

December 06, 2016, 1:44pm

Nationals

Rizzo on Sale: "We reached as far as we were going to reach"

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - As talks with the White Sox about a potential Chris Sale trade progressed over the last week, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo found himself willing to part ways with some of the kind of elite prospects he normally would deem untouchable. The availability of Sale, a five-time All-Star left-hander under contract for the next three years at an affordable price, led Rizzo in a direction he hasn't gone before. But in order to pull off this blockbuster, the Nationals GM...

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Source: Talks back on between Nats and Pirates for McCutchen

December 06, 2016, 1:11pm

Nationals

Source: Talks back on between Nats and Pirates for McCutchen

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Following the White Sox's decision to trade Chris Sale to the Red Sox, the Nationals' focus has shifted to the possibility of dealing for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Talks with the Pirates regarding McCutchen were back on and a meeting was scheduled in the afternoon, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. The source also confirmed the Dodgers continued to express interest in McCutchen, that no deal was imminent,and talks were "fluid." Last...

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Red Sox top Nationals' offer, land Sale in blockbuster trade

December 06, 2016, 8:46am

Nationals

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals finished runners-up in the Mark Melancon sweepstakes on Monday. And it appears they've now finished runners-up in the Chris Sale sweepstakes today. The White Sox have struck a deal to send Sale to the Red Sox for elite prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, plus two other minor-leaguers, according to multiple reports here at the Winter Meetings. It's a blockbuster trade featuring one of the game's best left-handers going to a powerhouse contender in...

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

December 05, 2016, 3:15pm

Nationals

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...

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Nationals hopeful they're closing in on trade for lefty Sale

December 05, 2016, 8:31pm

Nationals

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Nothing is done until it's done. And nothing is done in this case. But the Nationals front office went to bed late Monday night hopeful they were closing in on a blockbuster trade for White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, one that would likely cost them at least two of their top four prospects. Club officials spent a good part of Day One of the Winter Meetings engaged in talks with the White Sox and by early evening had made significant progress toward a deal for Sale,...

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Despite down offensive year, Norris' pedigree convinced Rizzo of bounceback possibility

December 05, 2016, 2:01pm

Nationals

Despite down offensive year, Norris' pedigree convinced Rizzo of bounceback possibility

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals reacquired veteran catcher Derek Norris from the Padres last week for a minor league pitcher. With the transaction, Norris returned to the club that he started out with from 2007-2011. After being traded to Oakland in 2011 in the deal for Gio Gonzalez, Norris got into a nice groove. In 2014, he made the American League All-Star team, hitting .270 with 19 doubles, 10 homers and 55 RBIs. In 2015, he moved to the Padres, where he connected with a career-high 33...

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Rizzo reacts to Melancon's departure, closer market and Glover's future

December 05, 2016, 1:09pm

Nationals

Rizzo reacts to Melancon's departure, closer market and Glover's future

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The news arrived Monday afternoon at the Winter Meetings that former Nationals closer Mark Melancon had agreed to terms with the San Francisco Giants. Instead of focusing on the possibility of a new leadoff center fielder and a starting pitcher, the Nationals now must also address the ninth-inning role again for 2017. Melancon agreed to a four-year deal worth $62 million, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Specifics of the deal were tweeted out by Alex Pavolic of CSN Bay...

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Nationals remain unwilling to include top prospects in trades

December 05, 2016, 2:38pm

Nationals

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals came to the Winter Meetings having already begun trade talks with the Pirates for outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the White Sox for left-hander Chris Sale. They've continued those talks since arriving at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, getting a better sense of what those two clubs are seeking in a deal. The end result as of early Monday evening? No trades have been made, and the asking price for both players remains high. "We've had...

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Rizzo addresses report of "balking" at Harper's contract demands

December 05, 2016, 1:15pm

Nationals

Rizzo addresses report of "balking" at Harper's contract demands

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Just when you thought all the chatter about the Nationals at the Winter Meetings was going to be focused on Andrew McCutchen, Chris Sale and closers, an even bigger name got thrown into the fire this afternoon and nearly drowned out everything else: Bryce Harper. A report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggesting the Nationals are "balking" at Harper's demands for a long-term extension and are "preparing themselves to be without their All-Star outfielder after 2018"...

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Winter Meetings Day 1 wrap: Local teams busy, but Giants and Dodgers land big names

December 05, 2016, 1:52pm

Nationals Orioles

Winter Meetings Day 1 wrap: Local teams busy, but Giants and Dodgers land big names

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The first day of baseball's Winter Meetings was a day of fact-finding for the local nines. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was on the telephone all day. His Orioles counterpart, Dan Duquette, prepared for the Rule 5 draft, met with agents and talked trades with others teams. But two National League West teams signed free agent pitchers, hoping to fix glaring needs: San Francisco signed closer Mark Melancon and Los Angeles retained lefty Rich Hill. Melancon, 31,...

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Stevenson, Ward named to AFL All-Prospects Team

December 05, 2016, 6:48am

Nationals

Stevenson, Ward named to AFL All-Prospects Team

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Arizona Fall League today announced its 2016 Top Prospects Team, which included two top Nationals offensive prospects, third baseman Drew Ward and center fielder Andrew Stevenson. "We are proud of how all of our players went about their business, how they work and represented the Nationals organization in Arizona this fall, and are excited to see both Andrew Stevenson and Drew Ward recognized for thier accomplishments by being named to the AFL Top Prospects Team,"...

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Nats need a new closer: Melancon signs with Giants

December 05, 2016, 7:45am

Nationals

Nats need a new closer: Melancon signs with Giants

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals have employed four different experienced closers in the last four years, and it appears they'll have to employ a fifth one next season. Mark Melancon, whom the Nationals acquired in July to fortify a tenuous position at the back end of their bullpen, has agreed to a deal with the Giants, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. And if that deal is finalized after Melancon passes a physical, the Nats will be left searching elsewhere for a ninth-inning pitching...

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With meetings officially underway, can Nats land a big prize?

December 04, 2016, 6:23pm

Nationals

With meetings officially underway, can Nats land a big prize?

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Winter Meetings officially open for business this morning - no, anything you saw or read about yesterday at the Gaylord National Resort didn't officially happen - and so the rumors will begin to fly fast and furious through the lobby here. Whether the Nationals make official news these next four days or just continue to find themselves the subject of potential news remains to be seen. But there's certainly a sense among everyone that they are primed to do...

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

December 04, 2016, 12:12pm

Nationals

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...