nationals

Of all the misses this winter, which player would have helped the most?

January 30, 2016, 8:11am

From a perception standpoint, it hasn't been a most favorable winter for the Nationals. A dugout brawl between eventual National League MVP Bryce Harper and hothead Jonathan Papelbon in the final days of the season set the stage for piling on. But general manager Mike Rizzo strapped up and went for it, attempting to make a statement that the Nationals were still the big, bad boys to contend with in the NL East. The problem was that nobody bought it. First, they reportedly swung and missed...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime ben zobrist darren o'day featured_sidebar jason heyward justin upton yoenis cespedes frontstory_nationals3

Joe Ross looking to build on impressive rookie year

January 29, 2016, 4:01am

Nationals

Joe Ross looking to build on impressive rookie year

During his introductory press conference earlier this month, the new Nationals infielder Daniel Murphy revealed that he pays close attention to the First-Year Player Draft. Murphy, a seven-year veteran, was asked which of his new, younger Nationals teammates stick out most from recent drafts. He chose Joe Ross, a pitcher he recalled from their encounters last season. "Ross was the easy one to remember because he punched me out a couple times on that slider on my back foot," Murphy recalled....

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson joe ross nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar mike rizzo frontstory_nationals3

Out of the Park: The blizzard, Throwback Tuesday and new attire

January 28, 2016, 1:03pm

Nationals

Out of the Park: The blizzard, Throwback Tuesday and new attire

Well, Winter Storm Jonas came through the area last weekend and crushed D.C. like Bryce Harper crushes fastballs. It also crushed MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo's elbow from all the snow it left for shoveling. Is there a Tommy John for shoveling snow? #leftarmprobs -- F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) January 25, 2016 Although Jonas left everyone stuck in their houses and exhausted from shoveling almost three feet of snow, the storm also left a pretty scene at Nationals Park. A beautiful...

Comments

Tags:

billy joel bobby blanco bryce harper dan kolko doug fister fp santangelo nationals nationals buzz nationals park out of the park

Doug Fister signs one-year deal with Astros (with spring uniform photos)

January 28, 2016, 9:15am

Nationals

Doug Fister signs one-year deal with Astros (with spring uniform photos)

Free agent right-hander Doug Fister has signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Astros after pitching the last two seasons for the Nationals. Washington acquired Fister from the Tigers in December 2013 in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-hander Ian Krol and minor league lefty Robbie Ray. Fister became arguably the Nationals' most effective starter in 2014, going 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA and winning the only game for Washington in the National League Division Series. Fister, who...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson doug fister nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Max Scherzer aiming to carry no-hit success into 2016

January 28, 2016, 4:12am

Nationals

Max Scherzer aiming to carry no-hit success into 2016

Just over a year ago, Max Scherzer arrived in the nation's capital with a ton of fanfare and a monumental contract. The former American League Cy Young Award winner then backed it up, becoming just the sixth pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a season. If not for a bizarre blip in Scherzer's season during August, the dominant right-hander might have found himself with a matching Cy Young Award for the National League. Scherzer shut down the Brewers, Pirates and Phillies during a three-game...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar max scherzer frontstory_nationals1

Nationals sign veteran starter Bronson Arroyo to minor league deal

January 27, 2016, 12:39am

Nationals

The Nationals added some competition to the mix for their starting rotation when pitchers and catchers report next month by signing Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. Arroyo, who turns 39 on Feb. 24, hasn't pitched professionally since undergoing Tommy John surgery while with the Diamondbacks in July 2014. During his rehab, the veteran right-hander was traded to the Braves last June and then dealt to the Dodgers in July before becoming a free...

Comments

Tags:

bronson arroyo chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

#TBT: Walk this way

January 27, 2016, 9:16am

Nationals

So what's an easier task: walking four times in a single game or walking down any street in the area without wiping out on the snow and ice? OK, I'll admit the latter is probably a much easier feat in comparison, but I figured I'd try to at least garner some sympathy for my clumsiness. But I digress ... In this week's #TBT, let's look back at one of the most amazing moments at the plate in 2015. OK, so when you think of a key offensive moment, you probably think of a huge home run or a...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper nationals nationals buzz nats tbt tbt throwback thursday frontstory_nationals3

Baseball America No. 5 Nats prospect: Reynaldo Lopez

January 26, 2016, 9:16am

Nationals

Baseball America No. 5 Nats prospect: Reynaldo Lopez

There is still a good buzz around right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who accelerated onto the scene the last two seasons by displaying a 95-plus mph fastball from his 6-foot frame. Coupled with the 6-foot-6 Lucas Giolito, they provided a lethal one-two punch in the Nationals system. A slight back injury slowed Lopez down a bit as the 2015 season wore on, but he is still considered a hot commodity and is No. 5 in Baseball America's ranking of top Nationals prospects. No. 5 Reynaldo Lopez Lopez...

Comments

Tags:

baseball america byron kerr john manuel lucas giolito nationals reynaldo lopez featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2 nationals farm report

Baseball America No. 8 Nats prospect: Andrew Stevenson

January 19, 2016, 9:49am

Nationals

Baseball America No. 8 Nats prospect: Andrew Stevenson

It is exciting to see the potential of an outstanding defensive center fielder who knows what it's like to win fall to the Nationals in the draft. In June, the Nationals selected LSU center fielder Andrew Stevenson in the second round of the First-Year Player draft. He is an aggressive, rangy and speedy outfielder who played in the College World Series and is the top-of-the-order lefty bat that the Nationals always respect. He is locked in as Baseball America's No. 8 Nats prospect for...

Comments

Tags:

andrew stevenson baseball america byron kerr john manuel nationals farm report featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2 nationals

Baseball America No. 7 Nats prospect: A.J. Cole

January 21, 2016, 10:13am

Nationals

Baseball America No. 7 Nats prospect: A.J. Cole

Right-hander A.J. Cole went 13-3 with a 3.16 ERA in 25 starts in 2014 with the Nationals organization. He then stepped up for his first major league start, which did not go well in Atlanta on April 28. He lasted two innings as the Braves pounded out nine hits and scored nine runs, with only four of those earned runs. He had only one strikeout, walked one and had one intentional walk. On May 15 against the Padres, he bounced back to record his first major league save. Then, Cole allowed two runs...

Comments

Tags:

aj cole baseball america byron kerr john manuel nationals frontstory_nationals2

Nationals reportedly interested in veteran starter Bronson Arroyo

January 26, 2016, 3:24am

Nationals

Even with the departures of right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister through free agency, the Nationals haven't been aggressively pursuing starting pitchers this offseason. "I like the rotation as it is," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier this month. "We have a very talented, quality starting rotation." Rizzo reportedly flirted with righty Mike Leake and left-hander Scott Kazmir before the free agents signed with the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively. According to...

Comments

Tags:

bronson arroyo chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

You can't always get what you want

January 25, 2016, 5:19am

Nationals

Whether it was a surprise or not, the Nationals chased free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes last week before the slugger opted to return to the Mets. The part that was hard to swallow for most Nats fans was why Cespedes chose a three-year deal with New York instead of the five-year offer on the table in Washington. Even more difficult was that the scenario seems to be replaying itself over and over this offseason. Last month, general manager Mike Rizzo laid a reported $200 million on the...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime mike rizzo frontstory_nationals3

How the NL East mound staffs look heading into spring

January 26, 2016, 5:32am

Nationals

How the NL East mound staffs look heading into spring

The New York Mets are set to defend their National League pennant with the pitching staff that had the fourth-best ERA (3.44) in the league. The Nationals have a new look to their rotation. The Marlins are hoping for health and a chance to show they were better than last season. The Braves and Phillies are dealing with rebuilding projects. As the mid-Atlantic moves snow and baseball fans look forward to spring training, here's how pitching stacks up in the National League East: ATLANTA...

Comments

Tags:

frontstory_nationals4 mel antonen nationals nl east

Bryce Harper presented with MVP award (with video)

January 24, 2016, 4:35am

Nationals

Bryce Harper presented with MVP award (with video)

In November, Bryce Harper became the youngest unanimous Most Valuable Player winner in baseball history, capturing National League honors for his record-breaking season. In a snowy New York City, the Baseball Writers' Association of America formally presented Harper with the hardware at an awards ceremony on Saturday evening. At 22 years, 335 days old, Harper became the sixth-youngest player in major league history to hit 40 home runs in a season, behind Mel Ott (1929; 20 years, 203 days),...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Yoenis Cespedes chooses Mets over Nats, agreeing to three-year deal

January 22, 2016, 6:49pm

Nationals

Yoenis Cespedes chooses Mets over Nats, agreeing to three-year deal

The balance of power in the National League East shifted considerably late Friday as slugger Yoenis Cespedes signed with the Mets over the Nationals. Washington had reportedly offered Cespedes a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $100 million. But according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Cespedes opted for a three-year contract with the Mets worth $75 million that includes an opt-out after the 2016 season. The Nationals held a three-game lead over the Mets late last July when New York...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime yoenis cespedes featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?

January 22, 2016, 3:51am

Nationals

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?

Last season, the National League East seemingly was decided by one player. OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Mets' addition of Yoenis Cespedes minutes before the trade deadline completely changed the complexion of their lineup. New York went from a bottom of the barrel offense to pouring in runs behind Cespedes' violent bat. The Nationals inquired about a trade with the Tigers for Cespedes as well, but the slugger ended up with the Mets. New York evened up the division with a...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson jayson werth nationals nationals pastime yoenis cespedes ben revere featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Baseball America No. 6 Nats prospect: Wilmer Difo

January 23, 2016, 11:39am

Nationals

Baseball America No. 6 Nats prospect: Wilmer Difo

It was unfortunate to see second baseman Wilmer Difo go down with a hand injury in his first professional start when the Nationals took on the Mets in the final weekend series at Citi Field in 2015. Difo broke his left hand in the third inning of Max Scherzer's second no-hitter of the season and a Nationals 2-0 win. The 23-year-old Difo underwent hand surgery three weeks later and is expected to make a full recovery for the 2016 campaign. The 6-foot, 195 lbs., Dominican Difo played 106 games...

Comments

Tags:

baseball america byron kerr john manuel nationals farm report wilmer difo featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2 nationals

Out of the Park: Racing Presidents, Bryce Harper likes that and Nats Park concert

January 22, 2016, 7:20am

Nationals

Out of the Park: Racing Presidents, Bryce Harper likes that and Nats Park concert

The Nationals family isn't made up of just baseball guys, since they clearly cannot get enough of the NFL playoffs. Granted, the ending to last Saturday's NFC divisional game between the Packers and Cardinals was unlike anything I've ever seen. Sports are just the best, guys. -- Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) January 17, 2016 This game has officially turned into PE -- F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) January 17, 2016 I don't believe what I just saw... -- Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) January...

Comments

Tags:

billy joel bobby blanco bryce harper dan kolko fp santangelo max scherzer nationals nationals buzz out of the park racing presidents

Yo! Are the Nationals serious about Cespedes?

January 21, 2016, 4:19am

Nationals

When the Nationals made a serious run at Jason Heyward in December - reportedly offering a $200 million deal to the three-time Gold Glove Award winner - there was clear indication they intended on upgrading the outfield in 2016. There was some chatter about a potential trade with Colorado for Carlos Gonzalez, but not much connected the Nationals to this winter's other two major free agent outfielders, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes. It seemed even less likely the Nationals would get involved...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime ben revere bryce harper featured_sidebar jayson werth mike rizzo yoenis cespedes frontstory_nationals3

Nationals reportedly have interest in Yoenis Cespedes

January 20, 2016, 4:12am

Nationals

The one-year anniversary of the Nationals shocking the baseball world by signing right-hander Max Scherzer to blockbuster seven-year, $210 million contract just passed. At the time, the deal had many scratching their heads, with the Nats already boasting the National League's top rotation from top to bottom. Fast-forward to this January and rumors of another free agent signing has left some baffled. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Nationals showed interest in Justin Upton before...