In a week where his name cropped up in trade rumors at the Winter Meetings, shortstop Ian Desmond left little doubt that he'd like to remain with the Nationals.
Speaking during his media availability at NatsFest on Saturday, Desmond said he understood why his name was bandied about at the Winter Meetings, once as part of a blockbuster deal that would have sent him to Seattle. He said general manager Mike Rizzo has a job to do and acknowledged that his status as a free agent after the 2015...
Jordan Zimmermann knows what it will take to keep him in a Nationals uniform, and he's more than willing to let the process surrounding a long-term contract extension take its course.
"If it's fair value, like I've said all along, I'd gladly sign," Zimmermann said. "At the end of the day, it's got to be something that's fair. If it's not, then I'll be moving on."
How much Zimmermann, 28, is worth to the Nationals is the sticking point. He's going to be a free agent at the end of...
Let's not mince words. The Nationals are looking for an everyday second baseman.
Kevin Frandsen wants the gig.
"I mean, doesn't everyone?" Frandsen told reporters Saturday at NatsFest. "Do you want to write every day? You want to write every day. That's part of your job. I want to play every day. But is that like me saying, 'I demand?' No, it's the mentality you have to have."
It's certainly the mentality Frandsen has heading into 2015. The Nationals utility infielder is entering...
For young pitchers trying to make it into a team's starting rotation, there are two goals: make the rotation and stay in it.
Last year, Tanner Roark accomplished the first goal. Now comes the second one.
"Somebody can always come in and prove themselves and do better than me," Roark said. "That's what I've got to prove to myself, prove each year that I can be a starter and can still pitch at the big league level. That's my mentality and that'll always be my mentality."
For Roark, he...
Anthony Rendon didn't torment himself watching the rest of the postseason play out after the Nationals were eliminated in the National League Division Series. He's played some golf and immersed himself in basketball season, tuning in on his hometown Houston Rockets via DirecTV to take some of the sting away from the Nats' disappointing first-round ouster.
"I guess (seeing the Giants win) made it a little bit easier, I guess, for me," he said at NatsFest. "Might be terrible to say, but...
Ryan Zimmerman has heard the whispers about the Nationals dealing one of their key players who will reach free agency after the 2015 season. He's watched this season as first baseman Adam LaRoche, cast aside to accommodate the planned move of Zimmerman to first base, signed as a free agent with the White Sox. He understands baseball's economics and realizes the window for the Nationals to win might be closing.
But there's no hint of panic, certainly no palpable sense of urgency, in...
Bryce Harper's upcoming grievance hearing to determine whether he can opt out of his contract and into salary arbitration will be held Tuesday in New York. But the potentially contentious faceoff has already had an effect on Harper and the Nationals.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the star outfielder opted not to attend NatsFest, though he had previously been listed by the team among the participating players, because of the hearing, which will be held in New York.
"We're...
It's that time of year again, when you get to celebrate your favorite ballclub.
You know the drill: Today will be filled with Nationals player appearances, picture sessions, Q&As and much more!
Come by the MASN booth, where we'll have brand-new games, including the #SwagGrab Claw Machine. Check back here for videos and pictures throughout the day, and we'll see you at the MASN booth.
The Claaaaaw. Come try it at the MASN booth at #NatsFest. #SwagGrab https://t.co/j36pqUi36D—...
Just because the Winter Meetings are over doesn't mean we're not still stoking the hot stove. In fact, the period from now until Christmas (and maybe New Year's Day) is usually pretty active. For whatever reason, free agents seem to like knowing where they're going to be playing next season, what city they have to report to for spring training, etc. Those moves have a ripple effect on other transactions. January and early February used to be the deadest part of the offseason. No more.
Over...
Well, the day that many Nationals fans have been waiting for since the final pitch of the 2014 season has finally arrived.
It's time for NatsFest. What, you thought I meant the day that pitchers and catchers report to Space Coast Stadium?
Those of you attending today's winter baseball carnival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will want to make sure to stop by the MASN booth. You can learn more about what's going on in our little corner of the Convention Center here.
But...
As much as I enjoy the Winter Meetings, it's always good to be back home. As I was settling into my aisle seat on Southwest Flight 144 out of San Diego yesterday afternoon, news broke that the Nationals had finally pulled off a trade.
Dealing left-hander Ross Detwiler was not unexpected. Because he throws from the port side, he was attractive to plenty of teams. Because he can both start and relieve, other clubs valued that versatility. The return in the trade with the Rangers wasn't...
The Washington Nationals acquired second baseman Chris Bostick and right-handed reliever Abel de Los Santos from the Texas Rangers on Friday in exchange for left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Bostick, 21, has a .270 career batting average and a .341 on-base percentage in four Minor League seasons ranging from Rookie Level to high Class-A. In 2014, with Single-A Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League,...
Ross Detwiler lost his spot in the Nationals rotation before last season and now he's moving on.
The Nats have traded the 28-year-old left-hander to the Texas Rangers for two minor leaguers, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan. In return for Detwiler, Washington will reportedly receive an infielder and a reliever.
Detwiler was selected by the Nats in the first round of the 2007 draft and had spent his entire career with the club. In seven seasons, he went 20-32 with a 3.82 ERA in 132...
SAN DIEGO - We saw quite a few changes in the National League East yesterday.
Jimmy Rollins - to this point a career-long Phillie - was shipped out to Los Angeles and will now play shortstop for the Dodgers. Dee Gordon and former National Dan Haren were traded from the Dodgers to the Marlins, although Haren is now taking time to decide whether he'd rather retire or play another season away from his West Coast home. Antonio Bastardo was sent from the Phillies to the Pirates. The Mets are...
SAN DIEGO - The Nationals got through the major league phase of this morning's Rule 5 draft without losing any players, nor did they make a selection with the 29th pick in the first round. They survived five rounds - yes, you read that right, five rounds - in the Triple-A phase of the draft without losing anyone and didn't add any players.
And when all 30 clubs passed in the Double-A phase of the Rule 5, the Winter Meetings closed without the Nationals making a move.
The morning entry by...
SAN DIEGO - The notion of free agent Max Scherzer reuniting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, the man who drafted him in Arizona, was just too tantalizing a storyline to ignore at baseball's Winter Meetings.
And then, on the day that Scherzer's agent, Scott Boras, held court for reporters pressed five and six deep for the better part of an hour, Rizzo went and threw cold water on the idea.
In his daily briefing with reporters. Rizzo said the Nationals are not likely to get involved...
SAN DIEGO - The Rule 5 draft takes place at 9 a.m. Pacific time (noon Eastern time) at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and is the final official activity of this year's Winter Meetings.
Unlike in past years, the Nationals won't be able to make a pick among players not included on teams' 40-man rosters. To do so, the Nats would have to have an opening on their 40-man roster, which is currently full.
But the Nationals have to consider the possibility that players they chose not to add to their...
SAN DIEGO - The Nationals have yet to make a move at the Winter Meetings, and based on what I'm hearing, nothing big is imminent at this point.
But according to multiple sources, the Nats have been incredibly active here despite the lack of a completed deal, and they are plenty willing to engage in trade discussions involving some of their big-name players.
Depending on who you talk to, you'll hear different deals that have been discussed. According to one source, a potential major trade with...
SAN DIEGO - The wait is finally over. Jon Lester is officially off the table, which could make for a busy news day here at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Late last night, Lester agreed to a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. This deal changes the landscape here at the Winter Meetings, which should hopefully open the door to plenty of free agent action. If there's Nationals news to be reported, you can be sure we'll have you covered here.
Headlines
* Souza's stock rising...
SAN DIEGO - Probably the biggest Nationals-related news that's come out at the Winter Meetings involves two players who are already on the roster.
General manager Mike Rizzo today expanded on comments made by Matt Williams yesterday, saying that the Nationals plan to move Jayson Werth to left field next season, with Bryce Harper becoming their right fielder.
Williams indicated that Werth could continue to see some time in right field, but Rizzo implied today that the switch will be on more of...