nationals

Baker, Rizzo understand the benefits revamped training system could have for Nats

November 06, 2015, 10:14am

After the season was completed, the Nationals announced they had dismissed their athletic training staff including head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz, assistant trainer Steve Gober, and strength and conditioning coach John Philbin. New manager Dusty Baker was asked in his introductory news conference about the Nationals' issues with injuries to key players last season. He was very concerned about the situation. "That's a big point," Baker said. "I've always said if I can keep my frontline...

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Which Nationals receive qualifying offers before today's deadline?

November 05, 2015, 2:32pm

Nationals

The time many Nationals fans have been dreading is nearing. Free agency officially begins after the clock strikes midnight, meaning beloved veterans Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Denard Span, Doug Fister, Matt Thornton and Dan Uggla have the right to sign elsewhere. Before then, the Nationals have until 5 p.m. today to extend a qualifying offer to any of their pending free agent players. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal worth $15.8 million, the average of the top 125 salaries in the...

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Dusty Baker says he's "ready to do more with more"

November 05, 2015, 8:20am

Nationals

Dusty Baker says he's "ready to do more with more"

The Nationals introduced Dusty Baker as their new manager at a news conference Thursday morning at Nationals Park. Baker becomes the seventh manager in the club's history since arriving in D.C. in 2005. "This is a big occasion in my life and in my family's life," Baker said. "My son and daughter and wife are very, very excited. It was my wife and my son that really helped me make up my mind to accept and take this job because I had their total blessing. "They know that I had a burning...

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How the Nationals ended up with Dusty Baker as manager and not Bud Black

November 05, 2015, 8:47am

Nationals

Nationals president and general manager Mike Rizzo indicated today that reports last week naming Bud Black as the team's next manager were premature and incorrect. "That was wrong," Rizzo said. "We started off with nine candidates that we interviewed. Throughout the process, we went painstakingly through each candidate. We finally called back seven of them telling that they weren't in consideration for the job and whittled down to our two finalists with Bud and Dusty (Baker), and...

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Dusty Baker brings much-needed personality and leadership to Nats (updated)

November 05, 2015, 3:51am

Nationals

Dusty Baker brings much-needed personality and leadership to Nats (updated)

Later this morning, the Nationals will officially usher in the Dusty Baker era with a press conference, which will be carried live on MASN at 11 a.m. Most of the questions - at least early on - figure to be dominated by searching for a clearer explanation on how the Nationals seemingly botched the hiring of Bud Black as manager only to turn back to Baker. Good luck getting an answer. Either way, last Wednesday night, the Nationals had found their man in Black. The 66-year-old Baker was...

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Mike Maddux named Nationals pitching coach

November 04, 2015, 11:58am

Nationals

The Nationals have agreed to terms with Mike Maddux to be their pitching coach and he will reportedly be introduced alongside new manager Dusty Baker on Thursday morning at Nationals Park, according to a team release. The club announced thatterms of the deal were agreed upon on Tuesday night. Maddux is considered to be one of the top pitching coaches in the major leagues, turning around a Texas Rangers staff that had had several seasons of plus-5.00 team ERAs prior to his arrival. During his...

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Dusty Baker: "Can't wait to get started!"

November 04, 2015, 4:07am

Nationals

Dusty Baker: "Can't wait to get started!"

The journey to find the next Nationals manager seemed like a smooth ride, but eventually ended with heavy turbulence and a bumpy landing. Did the process expose further problems that interfere with success inside the Nationals organization? Certainly, there are concerns. But did the Nats eventually come away with the exact man to change the culture and lead a return to the postseason? Without a doubt. "Blessed and thankful to be back in the dugout for (the) Nationals and work for this first...

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Questions face Mike Rizzo and Dusty Baker as new Nats era begins

November 03, 2015, 6:43am

Nationals

Questions face Mike Rizzo and Dusty Baker as new Nats era begins

Following the disappointment of a year without playoff baseball in Washington, the Nationals' offseason has gotten off to a rocky start. The team finally hired a manager, announcing a multi-year deal with Dusty Baker after contract talks with Bud Black fell apart, apparently over compensation. The embarrassing situation is the latest for the Nationals after dealing with Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper fighting in the dugout a day after the team was eliminated from the postseason in late...

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Former Nats pitching coach Steve McCatty trying to catch on with hometown Tigers

October 27, 2015, 4:27am

Nationals

Former Nats pitching coach Steve McCatty trying to catch on with hometown Tigers

A year ago, Steve McCatty was still recovering from the stinging disappointment of the Nationals' early exit from the postseason. But there was still a bright offseason ahead, and added excitement and expectations when the Nats added ace Max Scherzer to McCatty's pitching staff. Now the former Nationals pitching coach is attempting to land the same job with Scherzer's old team. According to a report from MLB.com, McCatty is one of the finalists to fill the Tigers' vacant pitching coach...

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MASN to air live coverage of Washington Nationals' press conference announcing manager Dusty Baker

November 04, 2015, 8:30am

Nationals

Coverage of the Washington Nationals' press conference announcing the hiring of manager Dusty Baker will air live on MASN on Thursday, Nov. 5, beginning at 11 a.m. "Nats Xtra" anchor Johnny Holliday and Nationals color analyst F.P. Santangelo will host MASN's press conference coverage live from Nationals Park. MASN will air the full introductory press conference featuring Baker and Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo in a one-hour broadcast. The...

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Everything you need to know about Dusty Baker (including some things you probably never thought to ask about)

November 04, 2015, 5:09am

Nationals

Everything you need to know about Dusty Baker (including some things you probably never thought to ask about)

Dusty Baker, who has managed the Giants, Cubs and Reds, will be introduced Thursday as the Nationals' new manager, replacing his good friend, Matt Williams. The Nationals wanted an experienced manager and they got it: Baker has managed 20 seasons in the big leagues. Here's what you need to know about Baker: * Baker's given name is Johnnie B. Baker, but his mom gave him the nickname Dusty when he was a kid for an obvious reason: He was the type that was constantly playing in the dirt. *...

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Nationals hire Dusty Baker as next manager (updated)

November 03, 2015, 3:36am

Nationals

In a bizarre turn of events, the Nationals hired Dusty Baker as manager this morning, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract. After a reported deal with Bud Black imploded, general manager Mike Rizzo turned back to Baker, who had seemingly lost out on the job six days ago. Baker's 1,671-1,504 managerial record in the majors ranks him as the 17th-winningest skipper in baseball history. The 66-year-old has been awarded National League Manager of the Year three times (1993, 1997, 2000). Baker...

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Nats' talks with Black reportedly hit snag; Baker back in play?

November 02, 2015, 6:43pm

Nationals

Nats' talks with Black reportedly hit snag; Baker back in play?

Though the Nationals were expected to announce this week that they had selected former Padres skipper Bud Black as their new manager, multiple reports tonight suggest that talks between the parties have hit a snag and that the team will move instead to hire Dusty Baker. According to John Heyman of CBSSports.com, the reported deal between the Nats and Black has not been finalized and the team is thought to be turning its attentions to Baker, the former manager of the Giants, Cubs and Reds. Bob...

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New skipper Dusty Baker brings impressive pedigree to Nationals

November 03, 2015, 8:39am

Nationals

Bud Black is out. Dusty Baker, who was in the on-deck circle for the Braves the night Henry Aaron his 715th home run in April 1974, is in as the Nationals' new manager. It was a bizarre twist given that Black, the former Padres manager, reportedly was going to be the one that replaced Matt Williams. But on Tuesday morning, the Nationals made it official that Baker is their manager. Here's the question: Would Baker been available to the Nationals if the Reds had beaten the Giants in the...

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De Los Santos to AFL Fall Stars Game; McLouth and Janssen not returning

November 02, 2015, 7:52pm

Nationals

De Los Santos to AFL Fall Stars Game; McLouth and Janssen not returning

The Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game is Saturday at Salt River Fields and high Single-A Potomac manager Tripp Keister will manage the East Division All-Stars. Keister has guided the Salt River Rafters (10-6) to a first-place showing to begin the fall campaign. He will be joined by right-hander Abel De Los Santos, who will represent the Nationals on the East squad. Anthony Rendon, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen have represented the Nationals in...

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What does the future hold for Wilson Ramos?

October 30, 2015, 2:03pm

Nationals

What does the future hold for Wilson Ramos?

Anyone else a little bit surprised to see Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos among the National League finalists for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award? Yes, Ramos effectively controls the opposition's running game - gunning down 24 of 54 would-be base stealers last season - and has improved his game-calling ability. His .995 fielding percentage certainly looks impressive. But I don't know anyone who doesn't cringe when a throw from the outfield skips in front of the plate because of Ramos' inability...

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Nationals name Dusty Baker manager

November 03, 2015, 3:13am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals named Dusty Baker as manager on Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract that makes him the sixth field manager in Nationals history. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Baker, 66, brings nearly 50 years of professional baseball experience to the Nationals, including 20 years as a Major League manager, six as a coach, and a 20-year playing career that was highlighted by 19 decorated seasons in the Major...

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Bryce Harper wins Hank Aaron Award

October 31, 2015, 7:06am

Nationals

An offseason that figures to end with an overfilled trophy case began for Bryce Harper this evening with the Nationals slugger capturing the Hank Aaron Award, honoring the National League's best offensive performer. The 23-year-old secured the hardware following a breakout season that included the majors' best on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.649) and OPS (1.109). Harper lost out on an NL batting crown to Miami's Dee Gordon on the final day of the season, finishing as...

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Bautista, Severino and Simms notes

October 31, 2015, 6:21pm

Nationals

We are seeing a scorching start for Nationals outfield prospect Rafael Bautista, who currently ranks second in the Dominican Winter League in batting average at .472 over his first 10 games. His slash line is .472/.513/.639 and his OPS is 1.152. Bautista is 17-for-36 with four doubles and one triple, plus three RBIs and two stolen bases for Escogido. Catcher Pedro Severino is hitting .261 over eight games for Aguilas. He has two doubles, a homer and three RBIs. * In the Arizona Fall League,...

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It promises to be a busy offseason for Bud Black

October 30, 2015, 9:35pm

Nationals

It promises to be a busy offseason for Bud Black

Matt Williams certainly deserved blame for the Nationals falling woefully short of sky-high expectations this season. But believing that general manager Mike Rizzo's firing of Williams and hiring of Bud Black will simply solve all the Nationals problems is ignorant. Black, a pitching guru, assumes a team in desperate need of a bullpen rebuild. Order one will be how to handle Jonathan Papelbon after his choking of Bryce Harper left the veteran closer suspended for the remainder of the season....