nationals

Legendary Billy Joel to return to Nationals Park for July 30 concert

January 21, 2016, 7:08am

The Washington Nationals and Live Nation Entertainment are proud to announce that by overwhelming demand, Legendary Musician Billy Joel will return to Washington, DC to perform at Nationals Park on Saturday, July 30, 2016. This performance will make Billy Joel the first artist in history to play Nationals Park in a record-setting third appearance. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, January 29 at 10:00 AM at Nationals.com/BillyJoel. "We are delighted that Billy Joel will be...

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Answers to pressing questions as offseason turns into home stretch

January 20, 2016, 6:12am

Nationals Orioles

Answers to pressing questions as offseason turns into home stretch

It's question-and-answer time: Q: The Orioles and Nationals each need a starting pitcher. Did they miss a deal when Ian Kennedy signed for $70 million with the World Series champion Royals? A: Kennedy, 31, was the best of the starters on the low-risk, high-reward free agent list, but it was shocking that the Royals, of all teams, gave him that kind of money. Kennedy is coming off a down year with the Padres after expectations were high that he'd be a key to keeping them in contention in 2015....

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Are the Nats looking for a new catcher?

January 19, 2016, 3:13am

Nationals

There has been speculation about the Nationals potentially looking to upgrade at catcher this winter. Wilson Ramos, 28, is coming off his most durable season in the majors, but also his least productive at the plate. Ramos slumped to a career-low .229/.258/.358 slash line with 101 strikeouts in 504 plate appearances. He also hit into 16 double plays in 128 games. And despite being named as a Gold Glove finalist in 2015, there remain concerns with his defense, particularly on plays at the plate....

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Oliver Perez likes Nationals' chances second time around

January 18, 2016, 3:41am

Nationals

After starting 195 games from 2002-2010 for three different teams, left-hander Oliver Perez found himself out of the majors. He ended up at Double-A Harrisburg, where Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams made a recommendation that eventually resurrected his career. "Williams talked to me a lot," Perez said. "I say thanks to him. I know him from the Pirates. He told me, 'You pitch really good against lefties. As soon as you get to the big leagues, go to the bullpen and figure out...

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Looking for a landing spot for Ian Desmond

January 19, 2016, 10:55am

Nationals Orioles

Looking for a landing spot for Ian Desmond

As spring training nears and big-name free agents such as Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes look for contracts, free agent shortstop Ian Desmond is lost in the shuffle. Desmond, 30, who was the last link to the Nationals' history in Montreal, is facing a looking for a tight for shortstops. Desmond turned down a long-term contract worth at least $100 million from the Nationals. Then, he turned down their qualifying offer, meaning that the team that signs him has to give up a draft pick to the...

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Notes on Chen, Parra and more offseason moves for the Orioles and Nationals

January 12, 2016, 11:35am

Nationals Orioles

Notes on Chen, Parra and more offseason moves for the Orioles and Nationals

The Miami Marlins have signed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen and the Colorado Rockies have added outfielder Gerardo Parra, so that puts the Orioles in the middle of trade speculation and free agent signings with pitchers. The news focus is left-handed batting outfielders, whether it is the Nationals or the Orioles. Parra, who played for the Orioles last season, gets three years and $27 million. He gives the Rockies four left-handed hitting outfielders along with Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and...

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Deep and healthy, the Nationals outfield appears set

January 17, 2016, 4:02am

Nationals

Multiple injuries had the Nationals experimenting in the outfield most of last season. Danny Espinosa and Clint Robinson, both career infielders, logged several innings in the outfield for the first time in the majors. Michael A. Taylor was expected to receive more seasoning in the minors. Instead, he ended up as the opening day center fielder and leadoff hitter, and appeared in 138 games. Even Reed Johnson and Matt den Dekker, who were acquired in the final days of spring training, made the...

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Mike Rizzo: "I think we've balanced our lineup"

January 16, 2016, 5:01am

Nationals

Mike Rizzo: "I think we've balanced our lineup"

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo finalized salaries for all of his arbitration-eligible players heading into the 2016 season. So the roster is set? Not so fast. Last year's Nationals headed to Viera, Fla., seemingly with a full roster. Yet, because of widespread injuries, non-roster invitees Clint Robinson and Dan Uggla made the team along with late spring training additions Matt den Dekker and Reed Johnson. Once again, Rizzo appears to have established his 25-man roster before the...

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Danny Espinosa, Ben Revere are the last to avoid arbitration with Nationals

January 15, 2016, 1:03pm

Nationals

The Nationals have agreed to terms with all of their arbitration-eligible players. Infielder Danny Espinosa and outfielder Ben Revere were the final two to settle with the Nationals, both deals coming together late this afternoon. Espinosa, 28, will make $2.875 million while Revere gets $6.25 million in 2016, according to baseball insider Jon Heyman. After combing to hit just .200/.255/.326 from 2013-2014, Espinosa's offense experienced a resurgence in 2015. He slashed .240/.311/.409 with 13...

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Out of the Park: The good and bad from the rest of D.C. sports, plus National Hat Day

January 15, 2016, 8:09am

Nationals

Out of the Park: The good and bad from the rest of D.C. sports, plus National Hat Day

Good news: Nationals pitchers and catchers report in almost a month (Feb. 18)! Bad news: One of the other D.C. teams that was holding you over until then finished its season last weekend. Even though the Redskins were handed an early exit in their surprising playoff run at the hands of a 35-18 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, there is a lot of upside for this team in the future. And MASN's Dan Kolko, for one, enjoyed a season that surpassed expectations, included a division championship and...

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Stephen Strasburg avoids arbitration, agrees to one-year deal

January 15, 2016, 10:49am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg avoids arbitration, agrees to one-year deal

The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-hander Stephen Strasburg on a one-year deal worth a reported $10.4 million, avoiding arbitration, according to multiple reports. Strasburg went 11-7 in 2015 with a 3.46 ERA, his best winning percentage since 2012, when he went 15-6. He battled injuries and started 23 games, coming on strong to end the season. MLBTradeRumors.com had predicted Strasburg would receive $10.5 million through arbitration. In the second half of the season, Strasburg went...

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Nationals avoid arbitration with Anthony Rendon

January 15, 2016, 7:55am

Nationals

The Nationals avoided arbitration with infielder Anthony Rendon today, agreeing to terms on a reported salary of $2.8 million for the 2016 season. MLBTradeRumors.com was first to report earlier this offseason that Rendon was granted an extra year of arbitration after qualifying as a Super Two player. The Nationals have made it clear Rendon will move back to third base in 2016. He started 59 of his 80 games at second base last season while Yunel Escobar played third. But with Escobar traded,...

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The eighth-inning picture after Storen's departure

January 14, 2016, 3:22am

Nationals

The eighth-inning picture after Storen's departure

One of the main downfalls of the Nationals' disappointing 2015 campaign was the inability to consistently identify an eighth-inning set-up man. A glaring void was left once general manager Mike Rizzo traded reliable reliever Tyler Clippard for infielder Yunel Escobar last offseason. Rizzo opted to sign former Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen to bridge the gap until Drew Storen took over in the ninth. Shoulder tendinitis prevented Janssen's season from getting started until late May. Once he...

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Daniel Murphy, Ben Revere aiming to help Nats get back to division crown

January 15, 2016, 3:52am

Nationals

Daniel Murphy, Ben Revere aiming to help Nats get back to division crown

Daniel Murphy and Ben Revere entered 2015 on ballclubs with different outlooks for the season. Murphy's Mets were seen as on the rise, especially with an assembly of dominant young starters, while Revere's Phillies figured to battle for last place in the National League East during a rebuilding phase. But neither team was expected to challenge the Nationals, who had been predicted to run away with the division. Obviously, we know what happened. The Phillies tanked, fired everyone and had a...

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#TBT: Nats hit four homers, outslug Bronx Bombers

January 13, 2016, 12:20pm

Nationals

#TBT: Nats hit four homers, outslug Bronx Bombers

If you missed it, MASN's spring training broadcast schedule was announced yesterday, bringing us just one step closer to the return of baseball. Whether it's from Viera, Fla., or from the broadcast booth at Nats Park, we're excited hear Bob Carpenter's "See you later!" call once again in 2016. And on a May night last season, we got to hear Carpenter call not just one home run, but four! Facing the Yankees, Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos had all homered, but the game was tied...

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Nationals avoid arbitration with Wilson Ramos (Davis and Hill outrighted to Syracuse)

January 13, 2016, 9:26am

Nationals

The Nationals avoided arbitration with catcher Wilson Ramos, agreeing to terms on a reported salary of $5.35 million in 2016. Ramos, 28, is entering the final year of his contract with Washington. Injuries limited Ramos to a combined total of 191 games played from 2012-2014. But Ramos avoided the disabled list last season, starting a career-high 123 games behind the plate. Despite his durability, Ramos experienced one of his toughest seasons offensively. His .229 batting average, .258 on-base...

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Nationals announce 2016 spring training broadcast schedule

January 14, 2016, 10:07am

Nationals

Washington Nationals broadcast partners, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and 106.7 The Fan, will broadcast a total of 14 Nationals Spring Training matchups. The Nationals' 2016 Grapefruit League schedule features seven games televised by MASN and a combined 12 games airing on 106.7 The Fan and partner station CBS Sports Radio 1580 WJFK AM. Nationals 2016 Spring Training Broadcast Schedule * March 10 vs. Houston, 5:05 p.m. (MASN) * March 11 vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m. (WJFK 1580 AM) *...

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MASN to broadcast seven Nationals spring training games

January 13, 2016, 3:10am

Nationals

With pitchers and catchers reporting in 36 days, spring training is nearing for the Nationals. MASN announced today it will broadcast seven Nationals games during the 2016 Grapefruit League season, beginning with a March 10 home contest against the Astros at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. The Astros, the winner of the American League wild card game, are one of four matchups against 2015 playoff teams to be featured on MASN. The network will also bring you live coverage of home games against...

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Strasburg, Rendon among five Nats filing for arbitration, plus lineup discussion

January 13, 2016, 3:05am

Nationals

Strasburg, Rendon among five Nats filing for arbitration, plus lineup discussion

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, catcher Wilson Ramos, outfielder Ben Revere, and infielders Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa were among the 156 major leaguers filing for salary arbitration on Tuesday. Of those five players, Strasburg and Ramos are approaching the final year of their contracts with the Nationals. Catcher Jose Lobaton and first baseman/left fielder Tyler Moore would have been eligible for arbitration, but both agreed to deals with the Nationals earlier this offseason. Salary...

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Ben Revere looking to rack up RBIs for Bryce Harper and crew

January 12, 2016, 3:08am

Nationals

Ben Revere looking to rack up RBIs for Bryce Harper and crew

Before Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo acquired outfielder Ben Revere in a trade with the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen on Friday night, the main offensive question skipper Dusty Baker faced was who to place at the top of his batting order. Revere's arrival in Washington solves that issue. "He's hit at the top of the lineup each stage of his career," Rizzo said. "He's got a propensity to steal you a base in big situations and he's the type of leadoff hitter that is very tough...