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Deck the halls with four "Nationals Classics" this week on MASN HD

December 22, 2014, 7:10am

Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! Our gifts to you this holiday week is four "Nationals Classics" games, including two from this past season. If you're spending time with your family and want to bond with America's Pastime, tune in to MASN HD. Here's what's on deck this week: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m.: Who doesn't love it when the Nationals beat the Braves? On Sept. 17, 2013, the Nats actually split a doubleheader with the Braves. Emotions were running high at...

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Heath Bell signs minor league deal with Nationals

December 22, 2014, 7:36am

Nationals

Well, it wouldn't be spring training without at least one reclamation project, right? Former Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell announced in a self-penned post on The Players' Tribune this afternoon that he had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. The contract includes an invitation to major league spring training, so Bell will be suiting up in Viera, Fla., when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 19. Bell, 37, is the classic low-risk, high-reward guy at this stage of his career,...

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With Souza gone, is Taylor next man up? (plus minor league signing)

December 20, 2014, 9:05am

Nationals

With Souza gone, is Taylor next man up? (plus minor league signing)

This week's trade that sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays as part of a three-team deal creates a possible vacancy on the Nationals bench. If Souza was to have competed for a backup role as the fifth outfielder, part-time first baseman and pinch-hitter in spring training, as manager Matt Williams said at NatsFest, which player benefits most from his departure? For at least the time being, it appears that guy is outfielder Michael A. Taylor, who enjoyed a breakout 2014 season at...

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A few thoughts on Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang (updated)

December 21, 2014, 3:08pm

Nationals

A few thoughts on Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang (updated)

Later today, we'll learn the name of the major league club that won the opportuity to negotiate exclusively with Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang. So far, 18 teams have said they weren't engaged in the bidding through the posting system. But one club reportedly has paid $5,002,015 for the right to hash out a deal with Kang, a 27-year-old slugger who blasted 40 home runs and had 117 RBIs for the Korean Baseball Organization's Nexen Heroes in 2014. Here is a refresher to the posting system used...

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One-word descriptions of every NL team at holiday time

December 22, 2014, 4:48am

Nationals

One-word descriptions of every NL team at holiday time

As the holiday season arrives, baseball transactions usually slow down. We know you are busy with preparations, so here's the one word that comes to mind when talking about National League teams: * Arizona: Revival. There's an Oakland connection that brings back memories of the A's World Series teams from 1988-90. The team president is former A's manager Tony La Russa. The general manager is former A's pitcher Dave Stewart and pitching consultant Dave Duncan was La Russa's pitching coach...

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Looking back on the Gio Gonzalez trade

December 19, 2014, 9:17am

Nationals

There's a tendency for fans to judge every trade made on its face value in the moments immediately after the deal is consummated and announced. This can be tricky, since raw emotion, rather than careful consideration, takes over. It's often better - and more useful - to judge a trade in three ways: immediate impact, short-term results and long-term gains or losses. Yes, it's natural to have an opinion once a deal is struck. But how a deal plays out for the coming season, even a few seasons...

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Rizzo on the trade for Ross and the player to be named

December 19, 2014, 10:28am

Nationals

Rizzo on the trade for Ross and the player to be named

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo just finished a conference call with the local media to make official what we've known for the past couple of days: The Nationals have dealt outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and minor league left-hander Travis Ott to the Padres for right-handed pitching prospect Joe Ross and a player to be named. Souza and Ott are then going from the Padres to the Rays as part of the deal that will bring 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers to San Diego. Rizzo's...

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What happens with Trea Turner? (deal is done)

December 18, 2014, 9:18am

Nationals

What happens with Trea Turner? (deal is done)

Most of baseball thinks Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made another lopsided deal Wednesday, when he agreed to send outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays, Washington's contribution to a three-team, 11-player blockbuster that shipped 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Meyers from Tampa Bay to the Padres. While I'm happy to recap the swap, you might want to go grab a snack and a soda. It'll take a couple of minutes to process everything. A flow chart may work well, too. OK,...

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By one metric, Ramos and Lobaton a formidable tandem behind the plate

December 17, 2014, 6:25am

Nationals

By one metric, Ramos and Lobaton a formidable tandem behind the plate

Not so long ago, general managers putting together their rosters didn't fret much over catchers. You had your starter, who hopefully could hit a little and was at least passable defensively. And you had a backup, whose skill set was the opposite of your starter. If the starting backstop was a good defender, you looked for a backup with a decent bat; if your starting catcher was better with the stick than the glove, you looked for a good catch-and-throw guy who might function as a late-inning...

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Washington Nationals acquire right-hander Joe Ross and Player to be Named

December 19, 2014, 7:24am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and minor league left-handed pitcher Travis Ott on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The deal was part of a three-team trade that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, who will receive Souza Jr. and Ott. Ross, 21, went 10-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) between...

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Report: Souza dealt to Tampa Bay in three-team trade

December 17, 2014, 12:37pm

Nationals

Report: Souza dealt to Tampa Bay in three-team trade

That memory of Steven Souza Jr.'s diving catch in left-center to seal Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter on the last day of the regular season may have to last you a while. It appears Souza is on his way out of D.C. in a mutliple-player, three-team trade that also involves the Padres and Rays. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting that a framework is in place that would send Souza and minor league left-hander Travis Ott to the Rays, with the Nationals receiving two prospects - shortstop Trea...

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Williams on his first year at the helm, what's ahead for 2015

December 16, 2014, 4:35am

Nationals

Williams on his first year at the helm, what's ahead for 2015

Since he was named Nationals manager on Oct. 31, 2013, the recently completed Winter Meetings marked a milestone in Matt Williams' tenure at the helm: He's been through a full annual cycle of life as a major league skipper. It's not as easy as writing down names on a lineup card every day during the season or fulfilling the role of engaging tour guide, as Williams did Friday afternoon at Nationals Park for some lucky MASN "Word of the Day" winners. Those are the kind of activities the fans...

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More on Zimmerman's transition to first (pitchers, catchers report Feb. 19)

December 14, 2014, 6:23am

Nationals

More on Zimmerman's transition to first (pitchers, catchers report Feb. 19)

Quantifying Adam LaRoche's importance to the Nationals over his four-year stint isn't difficult. Yes, there was the left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup that supplied necessary power. But LaRoche's prowess with the leather was something that came up over and over again at NatsFest as his now ex-teammates lamented his departure as a free agent. LaRoche was the kind of steady but stellar defender whose glovework often gets overlooked - not because it's not spectacular, but because...

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Harper and Nats settle, avoid grievance hearing (updated with terms)

December 15, 2014, 3:34am

Nationals

Harper and Nats settle, avoid grievance hearing (updated with terms)

The Nationals and outfielder Bryce Harper have reached a settlement on his 2015 salary and avoided a potentially contentious grievance hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday in New York. The two sides appeared headed for the grievance hearing, which Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo likened to an arbitration hearing, where teams take great pains to point out all of a player's shortcomings. But things took a curious turn over the weekend when Harper failed to appear as scheduled at NatsFest,...

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Though role unclear, Treinen will stretch out as starter in camp

December 13, 2014, 12:25pm

Nationals

Though role unclear, Treinen will stretch out as starter in camp

The Nationals rotation is deep enough that left-hander Ross Detwiler, a 10-game winner in 2012 couldn't crack it in spring training and was traded to the Rangers earlier this week after struggling to adapt to a bullpen role. The Nationals are already salivating over the future arrival of stud pitcher Lucas Giolito, a 20-year-old righty who hasn't pitched above low Single-A and is rated baseball's 13th-best prospect by Baseball Prospectus. Righty A.J Cole is on the horizon, too, maybe as...

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Watch two "Nationals Classics" from 2014 this week

December 15, 2014, 4:53am

Nationals

After a week filled with rumors at the Winter Meetings, the Nationals returned home to Washington, D.C. Two days later, your favorite Nationals players and coaches attended NatsFest, giving fans a taste of the upcoming baseball season. To hold you over until spring training, we will continue to air some of the greatest games in Nationals history on MASN HD. This week, we are airing two "Nationals Classics" from last season, including Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter and yet another Ryan...

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Ripken understands Williams' transition from hot corner to hot seat

December 14, 2014, 4:14am

Nationals Orioles

Ripken understands Williams' transition from hot corner to hot seat

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation held a star-studded fundraiser called "Beltway Baseball" Friday night at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. Former Orioles great, Hall of Famer and foundation co-founder Cal Ripken Jr. brought along Nationals manager Matt Williams to speak to fans and help raise funds to help at-risk youth across the country. Williams said he was thrilled to be a part of the fundraiser. "When he calls, I say yes," Williams said. "The foundation is fantastic and they...

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Source: Blue Jays have not contacted Rizzo about president/CEO job

December 13, 2014, 11:10am

Nationals

Source: Blue Jays have not contacted Rizzo about president/CEO job

Nothing like a hot rumor to spice up NatsFest, though this one had nothing to do with a big trade or free agent signing. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported Saturday afternoon that the Toronto Blue Jays are interested in Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo, who they'd like to hire as their new president/CEO when Paul Beeston relinquishes those roles after the 2015 season. Rizzo, who has already met with the media during a scheduled session at NatsFest,...

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Ready to close, Storen grateful for vote of confidence

December 13, 2014, 11:51am

Nationals

Ready to close, Storen grateful for vote of confidence

Though Drew Storen struggled in his two postseasons, there won't be any closer controversy as the Nationals enter spring training. At the Winter Meetings in San Diego, general manager Mike Rizzo said that the right-hander would handle the ninth inning for the Nats in 2015. "Any guy throwing late in games wants to be closer, but think more important to have that vote of confidence from Matt (Williams) and management is great. It means a lot," Storen said. "It doesn't change my approach to...

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Closer role an option for Clippard

December 13, 2014, 11:14am

Nationals

There was a lot of debate in 2014 about who should assume the closer role for the Nationals. Rafael Soriano was brought in to shut the door in the ninth before 2012, but seven blown saves and myriad other close calls in 2014 left fans with little confidence, and even fewer fingernails, as the final three outs seemed to constantly be a struggle to obtain. Drew Storen assumed the role, too, racking up 11 saves, including 10 consecutive saves during the team's September stretch run. Still, as...