nationals

Ben Revere talks defense

January 11, 2016, 11:57am

One of the knocks on Ben Revere is his defense or lack thereof. Mostly, the criticism begins with his arm strength. It was something Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed with the media hours after acquiring Revere and a player to be named later from the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen and cash. "He's a good defensive center fielder with a short-throwing arm, a poor throwing arm," Rizzo said. "But beyond that, he's got good range angles and (takes) good routes to the baseballs...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar mike rizzo frontstory_nationals3

Nationals host 2016 Racing Presidents auditions on Jan. 17

January 12, 2016, 7:55am

Nationals

WHAT: Washington Nationals fans will have a chance to run for office when they try out to become one of the Racing Presidents on Sunday, January 17 at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. Candidates looking to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and Bill have been invited to the Youth Baseball Academy to perform a freestyle dance, run a 40-yard dash and participate in two races from center field to first base. In addition, each applicant will be required to answer questions...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Is shortstop Danny Espinosa's job to lose?

January 11, 2016, 6:41am

Nationals

Is shortstop Danny Espinosa's job to lose?

The Nationals infield will have a much different look when opening day rolls around in 81 days. Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar have been subtracted, Anthony Rendon moves to third and reigning National League Championship Series MVP Daniel Murphy takes over at second. Barring injuries, those starters - along with Ryan Zimmerman at first base - are guarantees. But what about shortstop? Danny Espinosa figures to finally receive the chance to be the Nats' everyday shortstop after waiting behind...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson danny espinosa mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime stephen drew trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Mike Rizzo supports Jonathan Papelbon: "He brings a swagger to the bullpen"

January 09, 2016, 7:09pm

Nationals

Mike Rizzo supports Jonathan Papelbon: "He brings a swagger to the bullpen"

On Thursday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was asked about the latest on right-handers Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon, two back end relievers with volatile endings to their seasons. Both reportedly had been shopped since October with no movement. "I think we're in the same place that we've always been," Rizzo said following Daniel Murphy's introductory press conference. "If there's a baseball trade that makes sense, we would make it. We're not gonna trade anybody to move a...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson drew storen mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Mike Rizzo reacts after trading Drew Storen for Ben Revere

January 09, 2016, 7:52am

Nationals

Mike Rizzo reacts after trading Drew Storen for Ben Revere

Following a highly disappointing 2015 campaign and facing the loss of several veteran free agents, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was forced to change the complexion of the roster. Finding a leadoff hitter - preferably a left-handed swinging outfielder - and reconstructing the bullpen were high on Rizzo's winter wish list. In a trade with the Blue Jays late last night, Rizzo addressed both by sending right-hander Drew Storen and cash to Toronto for 27-year-old outfielder Ben Revere and a...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere chris johnson drew storen mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Mike Rizzo finds speedy leadoff hitter in trade for Ben Revere

January 09, 2016, 4:29am

Nationals

Mike Rizzo finds speedy leadoff hitter in trade for Ben Revere

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was serious about adding a starting outfielder all offseason. He positioned the Nationals into finalists for All-Star Jason Heyward - reportedly making a highly competitive offer - before the three-time Gold Glove Award winner signed a $184 million contract with the Cubs last month. Several other trades and free agents were also discussed. But as late as Thursday, Rizzo remained coy in discussing further pursuits of outfielders, sounding confident with a...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere chris johnson dusty baker jayson werth michael a. taylor mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals trade Drew Storen to Blue Jays for Ben Revere

January 08, 2016, 6:33pm

Nationals

Barely 24 hours after Denard Span signed with the Giants, the Nationals have found his replacement. The Nats announced late tonight that they dealt right-hander Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Blue Jays for speedy outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named. Revere slashed .306/.342/.377 with 22 doubles, seven triples, two homers, 84 runs scored and 31 stolen bases in 152 games with the Phillies and Blue Jays last season. Philadelphia sent the 27-year-old to Toronto at last...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere chris johnson drew storen mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Former Marlins GM Dan Jennings joins Nationals front office

January 08, 2016, 11:31am

Nationals

The Nationals have made another move, adding from a division rival. This time, it's off the field, as former Marlins general manager and manager Dan Jennings is joining the Nationals front office as a special assistant to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. Jennings will focus on all facets of scouting operations for the Nationals, according to a team-issued release. Jennings, 55, is considered one of the most highly respected minds in the game and was the Marlins...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson dan jennings nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"

January 08, 2016, 6:17am

Nationals

Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"

Denard Span is the latest Nationals free agent to officially leave Washington this offseason, signing a three-year, $31 million deal with the Giants on Thursday night. Span became one of the most beloved Nationals after arriving in D.C. in a trade with the Twins prior to the 2013 season. Over the last three years, Span slashed .292/.345/.404 as the catalyst of the Nationals lineup while displaying show-stopping defense in center field. In 2014, Span tied for the National League lead with a...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson denard span nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals acquire outfielder Ben Revere from Blue Jays

January 08, 2016, 6:03pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Drew Storen and cash considerations. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Revere, 27, joins the Nationals on the heels of his third consecutive season posting a .300 batting average or higher. The versatile outfielder hit .306 in 2015 with a .342 on-base percentage, 22 doubles, seven triples,...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves

January 08, 2016, 7:31am

Nationals

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves

Happy new year and welcome back to "Out of the Park," Nats fans! I hope everyone had a very nice holiday season as we return to the real world this week. It would probably take a short novel to put together all of the holiday posts from the Nationals players over the break, so we'll just pick up from this week. Outfielder Matt den Dekker happened to spend his New Year's Eve in Dallas and was able to get over to AT&T Stadium with wife Christine to watch the NFC East champion Redskins...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco bryce harper daniel murphy denard span fp santangelo matt den dekker nationals nationals buzz out of the park redskins trea turner

Nationals add Dan Jennings to front office staff

January 08, 2016, 11:55am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals added Dan Jennings to their front office staff on Friday, hiring the former Major League executive and manager as a Special Assistant to President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, who made the announcement. Jennings, who will focus on all facets of the Nationals' scouting operations, comes to Washington on the heels of the unique experience of serving the Miami Marlins both in an executive role (most recently as Vice President and General...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Mets' loss is Nats' gain with Daniel Murphy

January 07, 2016, 5:05pm

Nationals

Mets' loss is Nats' gain with Daniel Murphy

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has known Daniel Murphy for many of the wrong reasons over the past seven seasons. Murphy has been one of the toughest outs for Nationals pitchers as a member of the Mets since making his major league debut in 2007. So by signing Murphy, Rizzo has not only bolstered the Nats roster, but also damaged the division rival Mets lineup. "It's a very exciting day here in Nats Land, landing a supremely talented, gritty, team-orientated player to help take us to...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson daniel murphy mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants

January 07, 2016, 2:32pm

Nationals

Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants

If the Nationals add another outfielder this offseason, it won't be Denard Span. The Giants announced this evening they reached a three-year deal with Span, one reportedly worth $31 million, pending a physical. Span had been the Nationals' center fielder and leadoff hitter since coming to Washington in a trade with Minnesota before the 2013 season. Speaking earlier today following a press conference introducing new Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson denard span mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Will Daniel Murphy's postseason home run derby carry into 2016?

January 07, 2016, 10:32am

Nationals

Will Daniel Murphy's postseason home run derby carry into 2016?

Over his seven seasons, Daniel Murphy has been known as one of the best contact hitters in the majors. He struck out just 38 times in 538 plate appearances in 2015 while batting .281 last season. But after averaging nine homers per season from 2009-2014, Murphy launched 14 longballs last year. Then came a postseason power surge, with Murphy smacking seven homers, including one in a record-breaking six straight games. The artillery show helped the Mets to the World Series and won Murphy the...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson daniel murphy nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

#TBT: Denard Span makes dazzling snag

January 07, 2016, 2:18pm

Nationals

Happy 2016, Nats fans! A new season of Nats baseball will be here before we know it, with pitchers and catchers set to report in just a little more than a month. The Nationals have been busy this offseason, adding players such as Daniel Murphy, who had his introductory press conference today. With additions and with players heading into free agency after the 2015 season, the Nats roster will look much different in 2016. A key subtraction is veteran Denard Span, who just signed a three-year deal...

Comments

Tags:

denard span nationals nationals buzz nats tbt olivia witherite tbt throwback thursday

A deep bench is imperative for Dusty Baker

January 07, 2016, 3:50am

Nationals

A deep bench is imperative for Dusty Baker

In a week filled with playoff hype for the Redskins, the Nationals will take a slice of the attention today with a press conference - carried live at noon on MASN and MASNsports.com - introducing new second baseman Daniel Murphy. While Murphy, the reigning National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player, represents the biggest offseason acquisition so far, general manager Mike Rizzo has also been busy assembling a new bullpen and adding veteran role players for depth. Besides...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson dusty baker michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime stephen drew daniel murphy danny espinosa featured_sidebar matt den dekker trea turner tyler moore frontstory_nationals3

Griffey makes Hall of Fame clean, so what about those connected to steroids?

January 07, 2016, 4:02am

Nationals Orioles

Griffey makes Hall of Fame clean, so what about those connected to steroids?

The two biggest stories coming out of Wednesday's Hall of Fame election were Ken Griffey Jr. missing a unanimous selection by three votes and the ramifications of Mike Piazza opening the door for Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, two players that have been tied to performance-enhancing drugs. The hunt is on for the three voters who didn't select Griffey. It is within the voters' rights to use a ballot for political statements. Maybe the voters were protesting the Steroids Era. Maybe they...

Comments

Tags:

barry bonds frontstory_nationals4 frontstory_orioles4 hall of fame hall of fame ballot ken griffey jr. mark mcgwire mel antonen mike piazza nationals orioles roger clemens

Are the Nationals looking for a catcher?

January 06, 2016, 3:57am

Nationals

If Wilson Ramos' 2015 season was a stock chart, it would drive you crazy on whether to buy or sell. There were plenty of highs: staying healthy resulting in a career-best 128 games played, catching both of Max Scherzer's no-hitters, tying for the major league lead by throwing out 44 percent of potential basestealers and receiving recognition as a Gold Glove finalist. But there were also several lows: a career-worst .229/.258/.358 slash line, a career-high 101 strikeouts with just 21 walks in...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson daniel murphy nationals nationals pastime wilson ramos featured_sidebar jonathan papelbon jose lobaton pedro severino spencer kieboom frontstory_nationals3

Nats officially announce deals with Daniel Murphy, Stephen Drew

January 06, 2016, 10:49am

Nationals

Nats officially announce deals with Daniel Murphy, Stephen Drew

The Nationals announced this afternoon that they have finalized a three-year contract with second baseman Daniel Murphy. The deal, originally agreed upon on Christmas Eve and reportedly worth $37.5 million, was pending only a physical, which Murphy has passed. Murphy, who turns 31 on April 1, will be formally introduced during a press conference on Thursday at Nationals Park with live coverage beginning on MASN and MASNsports.com at noon. In addition, the Nationals officially confirmed a...