nationals

Adam LaRoche was a true leader, set the tone on and off the field for Nationals

October 31, 2014, 6:23am

Each year, options are picked up or aren't. Players become free agents. Players move on, new players are welcomed in. So it was certainly business as usual when it was announced that options will not be picked up on veterans Rafael Soriano and Adam LaRoche. One can understand the business reasoning behind each move. But it is still tough to take when you realize that players like Soriano and LaRoche will not be on the 2015 Nationals roster. Especially LaRoche. I spoke to LaRoche before and...

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Livan Hernandez's story chronicled in ESPN's "Brothers in Exile" on Nov. 4

October 30, 2014, 10:06am

Nationals

Livan Hernandez's story chronicled in ESPN's "Brothers in Exile" on Nov. 4

Come Tuesday night, when you're tired of channel surfing to find something - anything - other than election results, you can tune to ESPN for a civics and history lesson with a Nationals twist. As part of its "30 for 30" series, ESPN will present "Brothers in Exile," which chronicles the path that led two half-brothers - ex-National Livan Hernandez and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez - to defect from their native Cuba for a chance to play baseball in the major leagues. The siblings, both...

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The offseason begins

October 30, 2014, 6:13am

Nationals

There are a few things that I can't believe as of this morning. I can't believe Madison Bumgarner is actually a human being, and not, in fact, a machine. Bumgarner's five-inning save in Game 7 last night left him with a ridiculous 52 2/3 innings of work this postseason, with a 1.03 ERA in that time. His career World Series ERA is now 0.25. How is that real? I can't believe that the one postseason game that the Nationals won this year was started by Bumgarner. A guy who was that dominant for...

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NL East offseason preview: Do Nats look for a third baseman or a second baseman?

October 30, 2014, 8:11am

Nationals

NL East offseason preview: Do Nats look for a third baseman or a second baseman?

Now that the San Francisco Giants have wrapped up their third World Series championship in five years, here's a look ahead to what will be going on this winter with the National League East: Atlanta: The Braves will try to rebound from their first losing record in six seasons. The first order of business for the new boss, John Hart, is to trade slumping outfielder B.J. Upton, who is still owed $46 million over three years. After hitting .251 with runners in scoring position last season, the...

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Game 7 memories

October 29, 2014, 5:35am

Nationals

Tonight, we will get to witness one of my favorite things in all of sports - a Game 7. I love Game 7s regardless of when they occur or what sport they come in. A Game 7 in the NHL playoffs is thrilling to me. A Game 7 in baseball's League Championship Series, with a spot in the Fall Classic awaiting the winner, is pretty special. And then there's a Game 7 in the World Series, which we will be treated to between the Giants and Royals tonight. There have only been 36 decisive Game 7s in the...

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A trade that quietly reaped benefits

October 28, 2014, 6:03am

Nationals

When assessing the roster moves made by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo that made a major impact on the Nats' division title, a couple jump out at you. The trade that brought Asdrubal Cabrera over just before the non-waiver trade deadline gave the Nationals an experienced infielder who delivered a number of clutch hits and played a smooth second base. The waiver claim that added left-hander Matt Thornton to the bullpen in early August bolstered the left side of the 'pen and added a...

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Ohlendorf elects free agency after being outrighted off 40-man

October 28, 2014, 1:50pm

Nationals

Ohlendorf elects free agency after being outrighted off 40-man

Veteran right-hander Ross Ohlendorf has elected free agency after being activated off the 60-day disabled list by the Nationals and subsequently outrighted off their 40-man roster. Ohlendorf was a solid contributor to the Nats pitching staff in 2013, going 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 16 appearances (seven starts). The club ended up avoiding arbitration with the now 32-year-old by signing him to a one-year, $1.25 million deal for 2014, but Ohlendorf never factored into things this season. He...

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Some of this, some of that

October 27, 2014, 5:46am

Nationals

The baseball world was hit with some awful news yesterday, as Cardinals prospect Oscar Tavares and his girlfriend were killed in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic. Tavares was just 22, and only two weeks ago, he hit a game-tying home run late in Game 2 of the Cardinals' National League Championship Series against the Giants, leading to an eventual St. Louis win. It was Tavares' first career postseason homer, and if not for this tragic accident, quite a few more were likely on the...

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Could Lucas Giolito skip high Single-A next season? (Renda named AFL All-Star)

October 27, 2014, 6:20am

Nationals

Could Lucas Giolito skip high Single-A next season? (Renda named AFL All-Star)

In the past, the Nationals have leapfrogged high Single-A Potomac for prospects such as outfielders Bryce Harper and Brian Goodwin. But top pitching talent has usually made a stop in Woodbridge, Va. A new crop of top pitching prospects appear to be headed to Prince Williams County next season. The question is: Will they stop in Potomac and if so, how long will they pitch for the high Single-A club? Right-hander Lucas Giolito, the highest-rated Nationals pitching prospect, dominated the South...

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Taking a look at the relief options

October 26, 2014, 7:01am

Nationals

Yesterday, I discussed the Nationals bullpen, and how they could look to add to that already strong group this offseason, either via free agency or a trade. The Nats have plenty of talented arms in their system, but that's certainly an area where you can never have enough talent. And don't be shocked if the Nats do choose to bolster their relief corps this offseason. As I mentioned yesterday, the Nats will have Rafael Soriano's contract coming off the books this offseason, as they almost...

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Taking a look at the 'pen

October 25, 2014, 6:30am

Nationals

One thing that I've really taken note of this postseason is how a couple of teams with dominant back ends of their bullpen have really been able to shorten games in their favor and turn a one-run lead after six innings into a fairly comfortable victory. We've seen it time after time with the Royals, who have relied on Kelvin Herrera in the seventh inning, Wade Davis in the eighth and Greg Holland in the ninth. All three bring heat and all three are nearly untouchable, both over the course of...

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Nats announce front office promotions, expansion of analytics department

October 24, 2014, 4:31pm

Nationals

Nats announce front office promotions, expansion of analytics department

The Nationals announced a few changes to their front office today, including the expansion of their baseball research and development department. Adam Cromie, the Nats' director of baseball operations, will keep that title but has also been promoted, getting the title of assistant general manager. Sam Mondry-Cohen was promoted to director of baseball research and development after previously serving as the Nats' manager of baseball analytics. Michael Debartolo, previously the Nats'...

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Minniti joins D-backs, Zimmermann keeps improving

October 24, 2014, 5:43am

Nationals

Minniti joins D-backs, Zimmermann keeps improving

Bryan Minniti has found a new home, as the Diamondbacks have announced that the former Nationals front office man has joined Arizona's organization as an assistant general manager. Minniti spent the last five years with the Nats as an assistant GM under Mike Rizzo, before announcing that he was leaving the organization just a few days after the Nats were knocked out of the postseason. Minniti was a well-liked member of the Nats' front office, and assisted with everything in the baseball...

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Convention Center to host NatsFest on Dec. 13

October 23, 2014, 1:10pm

Nationals

Convention Center to host NatsFest on Dec. 13

NatsFest is returning to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and will be held Dec. 13, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase online here beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. The fun-filled baseball festival - coming on the heels of the team's second National League East title in three seasons - will give fans of all ages the opportunity to interact with select Nationals players and team personnel. Among the activities will be live batting cages, exclusive...

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Reflecting on Roark's stellar 2014

October 23, 2014, 4:20am

Nationals

In 2012, Tanner Roark lost 17 games at Triple-A Syracuse. In 2013, Roark pitched well at Syracuse, made his way to the big leagues for the first time in his career and posted a stellar 1.51 ERA in 14 games, split between the bullpen and rotation. In 2014, Roark became arguably the best fifth starter in the majors. Roark's rise from frustrated minor leaguer to legitimate major league starter has been one of the more interesting stories we've seen on the Nationals roster over the last couple of...

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LaRoche, Span named Gold Glove finalists

October 23, 2014, 9:58am

Nationals

LaRoche, Span named Gold Glove finalists

For the third straight year, the Nationals have two players named finalists for Rawlings Gold Gloves. This time, it's Adam LaRoche and Denard Span. LaRoche was selected as one of three finalists among National League first basemen, along with the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez and the Rockies' Justin Morneau. The 34-year-old LaRoche won his first Gold Glove in 2012. This season, he posted a .994 fielding percentage, making seven errors in 1,200 chances. LaRoche doesn't have tremendous range at...

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NatsFest returns to Convention Center on Dec. 13; tickets, autograph vouchers on sale next week

October 23, 2014, 12:58pm

Nationals

NatsFest returns to Convention Center on Dec. 13; tickets, autograph vouchers on sale next week

Following what proved to be an exciting 2014 season, the Washington Nationals invite fans of all ages to celebrate with their hometown team this offseason at NatsFest, returning to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase online at nationals.com/natsfest on Wednesday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m. Returning to the Convention Center, the fun-filled baseball festival will give fans the exciting...

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Storen bounces back in a big way (Rendon on Sporting News NL All-Star team)

October 22, 2014, 5:08am

Nationals

Storen bounces back in a big way (Rendon on Sporting News NL All-Star team)

Until last night, the Royals had been a perfect 8-0 in this year's postseason. They'd thrived largely because of their speed and dominant back end of their bullpen. So how do you beat them? Keep them off the bases, and don't let Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland play any type of factor in the ballgame. The Giants kept on rolling last night, thanks to their balanced offense and ace Madison Bumgarner, who continues to establish himself as one of the best postseason pitchers in the...

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Palm Beach County OKs funds for Nats/Astros spring complex, teams have 90 days to find site (updated)

October 21, 2014, 7:53am

Nationals

Palm Beach County OKs funds for Nats/Astros spring complex, teams have 90 days to find site (updated)

Palm Beach County commissioners this morning voted 5-2 to approve $108 million in hotel bed tax revenues that will help fund the new spring training facility the Nationals and Houston Astros want to share. The teams now have 90 days to find a suitable site to build a new stadium, practice fields, offices and other facilities that would be used for both spring training and Grapefruit League games. "It's a critical step in the success of keeping Major League Baseball on the east coast of...

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Williams voted Sporting News NL Manager of the Year

October 21, 2014, 8:01am

Nationals

Williams voted Sporting News NL Manager of the Year

The league-endorsed end-of-season awards, voted on by the members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, won't be announced until November. Matt Williams could find himself taking home the National League Manager of the Year award at that time. For now, Williams will add another award to his mantle courtesy of the Sporting News, which announced that Williams was voted its NL Manager of the Year for 2014. This award was voted on by Williams' fellow managers. The Nationals skipper...