nationals

Nats reportedly ink Daniel Murphy to three-year contract (updated)

December 24, 2015, 2:22pm

The Nationals have reportedly crossed two needs off their holiday wish list on Christmas Eve, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with second baseman Daniel Murphy, pending a physical. The 30-year-old brings a much-needed left-handed bat along with a veteran infield presence. Terms of the deal are not yet known. Following a monstrous postseason, Murphy rejected the Mets' one-year $15.8 million qualifying offer, choosing free agency. By signing Murphy, the Nats forfeit their first round pick...

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Nats reportedly a finalist for Scott Kazmir, but what about Tanner Roark?

December 23, 2015, 3:06am

Nationals

Nats reportedly a finalist for Scott Kazmir, but what about Tanner Roark?

How satisfied is Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo with the starting rotation as we approach the new year? The starting five was solid in 2015, but certainly not the wrecking ball rotation predicted to destroy the National League en route to the postseason. Right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister have departed via free agency, leaving openings behind aces Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and left-hander Gio Gonzalez. It's assumed right-hander Tanner Roark will regain his spot in...

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Max Scherzer focused on cleaning up mistakes

December 22, 2015, 3:12am

Nationals

Max Scherzer focused on cleaning up mistakes

When the Nationals signed Max Scherzer 11 months ago, it was viewed as an obscene addition to an already dominant starting rotation that would surely lead to a World Series berth. For the most part, Scherzer did not disappoint. But widespread injuries, underachieving around the roster and clubhouse friction led to playoff elimination in late September for the Nationals. Scherzer was arguably the National League's most dominant pitcher throughout the first half of the season. He posted a 2.11...

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Gonzalez focusing on nutrition and flexibility, seeking "monster year"

December 22, 2015, 1:32pm

Nationals

Gonzalez focusing on nutrition and flexibility, seeking "monster year"

For Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez, the quest for next season is to return to the way he was pitching in 2012, when he earned a career-high 21 wins. The last three seasons, he has not been able to win more than 11 times a year. Gonzalez said at Winterfest that his personal goal this season is to get back to dominating like he did when the Nationals brought home their first division title. Last year, he went 11-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 31 starts - not bad numbers, of course. But he had a few...

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Plans at second base

December 21, 2015, 3:54am

Nationals

In two months, the Nationals will head to Viera, Fla., for spring training, and not much is decided about the middle of their infield. Ian Desmond's departure through free agency, the recent trade of Yunel Escobar and Anthony Rendon's upcoming move back to third base have left holes at second base and shortstop. Danny Espinosa is presumed to be the Nationals' opening day shortstop, but that's not a lock. Trea Turner will battle Espinosa in spring training, and if he loses out, the rookie...

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Jayson Werth: "You can't outrun Father Time"

December 20, 2015, 3:55am

Nationals

Jayson Werth: "You can't outrun Father Time"

In many ways, 2015 was a lost season for Jayson Werth in the twilight of his 13-year career. The 36-year-old waited until January before undergoing AC joint surgery on his right shoulder, leaving him unavailable to participate in most of spring training and delaying his season debut until April 13. When Werth did return, his struggled mightily at the plate, batting just .208 with two homers, 12 RBIs and 25 strikeouts through his first 27 games. However, Werth was beginning to heat up at the...

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Danny Espinosa primed for full-time shot at shortstop

December 19, 2015, 4:16am

Nationals

Danny Espinosa primed for full-time shot at shortstop

The Nationals selected Danny Espinosa as a slick-fielding shortstop out of Long Beach State University in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. By the time Espinosa made his major league debut in September 2010, Ian Desmond was already entrenched as the Nationals shortstop, a position he played for six seasons at a high level. But with Desmond leaving via free agency and veteran infielder Yunel Escobar traded to the Angels last week, it finally appears that Espinosa will get his...

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Treinen fishing for consistency as he prepares for next season

December 20, 2015, 9:43am

Nationals

Treinen fishing for consistency as he prepares for next season

Right-hander Blake Treinen went from pitching in 15 games in 2014 to a career-high 60 games in 2015. But he was used in more specialty situations last season, as his innings total only went from 50 2/3 innings to 67 2/3 innings. It was the epitome of an up-and-down season for Treinen. In March and April, his ERA was 4.22. In May, he had a 3.00 ERA, allowing only five runs in 15 innings. In June, he reached a 4.38 ERA in 12-plus innings. In July, he allowed four earned runs in just three innings...

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Nats reportedly working to complete trade for Phillips (with Laffey note)

December 18, 2015, 3:06am

Nationals

Nats reportedly working to complete trade for Phillips (with Laffey note)

The Nationals reportedly have agreed on a deal with the Reds to acquire veteran second baseman Brandon Phillips, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. As a player with 10 years of major league service and five consecutive with the same club, Phillips must waive his full no-trade protection to approve the move for the Nationals. It's unclear what the Nationals are returning to Cincinnati in the trade. Late Thursday night, Phillips tweeted "513 to 202" with an airplane emoji. 513 is...

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Papelbon's no-trade list limits Nationals

December 17, 2015, 5:31am

Nationals

Jonathan Papelbon's short stay in Washington hasn't been peaceful. An unwelcoming entrance preceded a disastrous dugout brawl with Bryce Harper leading to a season-ending team-imposed suspension. Now Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is working to clear the embarrassment and start fresh in 2016. But it's not so easy with Papelbon who brings a limited no-trade clause to the table. Let's start with the positive. ESPN obtained the list of teams Rizzo can deal Papelbon to without his...

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Out of the Park: City keys, a rap song and a Nats license plate

December 18, 2015, 7:16am

Nationals

Out of the Park: City keys, a rap song and a Nats license plate

Obviously, there was a lot happening on social media last week with the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, however much of it was just hearsay. Those posts were mostly focused on what was happening (or could happen) on the field. This being our third edition of Out of the Park, you know by now we are more concerned with what is going on with the Nationals off the diamond, and this week didn't disappoint. You knew it was going to be a big week...

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#TBT: Trea Turner smacks first major league homer

December 17, 2015, 7:39am

Nationals

#TBT: Trea Turner smacks first major league homer

While Nationals fans are anxiously anticipating the time when Trea Turner becomes an everyday major leaguer, they got a taste of Turner in the bigs last season when he was called up in late August. His speed and defensive abilities were immediately showcased when he took the field. But it took a little while before fans saw his pop. On Sept. 29, he tied the game up with a huge home run at Turner Field (appropriate!) Bob Carpenter had the call: "And Turner, he does turn on one. High in the air...

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Nationals, Reds reportedly in trade talks for Brandon Phillips

December 16, 2015, 3:11am

Nationals

It's no secret the Nationals are pursuing a veteran second baseman this offseason. During last week's winter meetings, they made a run at versatile free agent Ben Zobrist - before he chose the Cubs - and were reportedly involved in trade talks with the Pirates for Neil Walker - before he was dealt to the Mets. New Nationals manager Dusty Baker has a connection to the latest second baseman rumored to be headed to Washington. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Nats have engaged in trade...

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den Dekker hopes for expanded role with Nats in 2016

December 17, 2015, 10:37am

Nationals

den Dekker hopes for expanded role with Nats in 2016

Outfielder Matt den Dekker ended the 2015 season on a hot streak at the plate. In the last 26 games (eight starts) he played in September and October, den Dekker hit .298 with five doubles, three homers and seven RBIs. He ended up playing a career high 55 games in 2015, and hit .253 for the season with a career-high OPS of .800. "Personally, for me, I felt good about the end of the season," den Dekker said at Winterfest. "I finished strong, got comfortable in my role I was in, so just...

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Anthony Rendon heading back to the hot corner in 2016 (Baker's staff finalized)

December 15, 2015, 3:44am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon heading back to the hot corner in 2016 (Baker's staff finalized)

In 2014, Anthony Rendon led the National League with 111 runs scored while Bryce Harper missed 62 games after early-season thumb surgery. Last year, Rendon was on the pine for 82 games while Harper went bonkers in his record-breaking NL Most Valuable Player award season. Can you imagine the numbers both players could produce if they could stay on the field in 2016? Surely, Harper exceeds the 100-RBI mark with a healthy Rendon ahead of him in the lineup and maybe even contends for a Triple...

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Nationals finalize deal with Yusmeiro Petit, sign Nick Masset

December 14, 2015, 5:26pm

Nationals

The Nationals efforts to rebuild their bullpen continued on Monday as they officially announced the signing of right-handed reliever Yusmeiro Petit, while also inking righty Nick Masset to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. On Saturday at Winterfest, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed last week's reports that the team had reached an agreement with Petit pending a physical. Petit passed the medical examination and signed a one-year contract with a...

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The rising cost of a strong bullpen

December 15, 2015, 1:25pm

Nationals Orioles

With David Price and Zack Greinke signing contracts worth more than $200 million, do you think the price of starting pitching is skyrocketing this season? Check out the cost of bullpen help. The Orioles and Darren O'Day held a press conference Tuesday at Camden Yards after O'Day, 33, signed a four-year, $31 million contract to stay in Baltimore. Others teams, such as Washington, San Francisco and Atlanta, wanted to sign O'Day, who stabilizes the Orioles bullpen's setup role with Brian...

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Tyler Moore working on defense, mental side of game

December 15, 2015, 6:45am

Nationals

Tyler Moore working on defense, mental side of game

Tyler Moore signed a one-year deal worth $900,000 to stay with the Nationals through 2016. Meeting with the media at Winterfest this weekend, he was pleased to be back with the team and is eager to contribute. "Feels good to be back," Moore said. "Didn't know if I was going to be with all the changes and stuff. Obviously, it feels great to be back. Didn't know if I was going to be. Just ready to get going and spring will be here before you know it." Before the season starts, the...

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Nationals announce major league coaching staff

December 15, 2015, 5:57am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced manager Dusty Baker's full coaching staff on Tuesday, making the additions of bench coach Chris Speier, pitching coach Mike Maddux, hitting coach Rick Schu, first base coach Davey Lopes, third base coach Bobby Henley, assistant hitting coach Jacque Jones, and bullpen coach Dan Firova official. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Speier, 65, returns to the dugout as Baker's bench coach, a role he...

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Ryan Zimmerman: "I just need to stay on the field"

December 14, 2015, 3:29am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman: "I just need to stay on the field"

The Nationals need Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup to reach the next level in 2016. Nagging injuries have made it difficult over the past two seasons as "Mr. Nat" has become "Mr. DL," missing a combined 168 games. "The last two, three years have been frustrating for me," Zimmerman said at Winterfest. "I mean, nobody wants to be on the field more than I want to be on the field. But unfortunately, some of those things happen. That's not the amount of work you put in. It's hard to go 10, 15...