nationals

Nationals announce 2014 spring training schedule

November 06, 2013, 1:17pm

The Nationals announced their 31-game 2014 spring training schedule this evening, a slate that features 14 home games at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., beginning with their Grapefruit League home opener Saturday, March 1 versus the Braves. The Nats will kick off their spring training schedule a day before that home opener when they face the Mets in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 28. Matt Williams' bunch will conclude their exhibition schedule at Nationals Park against the Tigers on March 29,...

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Starting to look at a couple more starters

November 05, 2013, 4:28am

Nationals

Starting to look at a couple more starters

As I mentioned yesterday, the Nationals did not issue a qualifying offer to either of their two free agents this offseason - Dan Haren or Chad Tracy. Again, no surprise there. Nine major league teams did issue qualifying offers to a total of 13 free agents yesterday, however, meaning we will see a bunch of guys hit the free agent market with their value being affected by the draft pick compensation that is now attached to them. The Red Sox and Yankees both issued three qualifying offers, and...

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Some of this, some of that

November 06, 2013, 5:05am

Nationals

After being fired by the Nationals mid-way through the 2013 season, Rick Eckstein has found himself a new gig. Eckstein has been hired by the Angels as an assistant hitting coach who will also serve as an advance scout and liaison to the minor leagues, according to the Los Angeles Times. Essentially, he'll be the seventh coach in the dugout. Eckstein had been the Nationals' hitting coach since 2008, but general manager Mike Rizzo fired Eckstein in July with the Nats possessing a 48-50...

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Detwiler, Garcia reinstated from 60-day DL (plus Haren update)

November 04, 2013, 9:58am

Nationals

Detwiler, Garcia reinstated from 60-day DL (plus Haren update)

The Nationals announced this afternoon that they've reinstated both left-hander Ross Detwiler and right-hander Christian Garcia from the 60-day disabled list, putting both hurlers back on the team's 40-man roster. Detwiler missed the last three months of the 2013 season with a herniated disc in his back. He went 2-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 starts this season and last pitched on July 3. Detwiler finished the season pitching in instructional league games down in Florida. The Nats liked what...

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What's on tap for today and a free agent to watch

November 04, 2013, 4:20am

Nationals

What's on tap for today and a free agent to watch

Remember when the Nationals shipped David DeJesus to the Rays in August just four days after they had acquired the veteran outfielder from the Cubs, and Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said that he'd be open to reuniting with DeJesus this offseason should he hit the free agent market? Yeah, that won't be happening. The Rays have reportedly picked up DeJesus' $6.5 million option for 2014 and are working on a new two-year deal, according to the Tampa Bay Times, keeping the friendly, speedy,...

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Though game plan is fluid, Williams wants Nats to be aggressive

November 01, 2013, 12:39pm

Nationals

Though game plan is fluid, Williams wants Nats to be aggressive

By his own admission, Matt Williams' managerial style will be a work in progress. At his introductory press conference Friday afternoon at Nationals Park, the sixth field manager in Nats history was consistent in his use of the word "fluid" to describe how he'll approach his rookie season as a major league skipper. "The plan's fluid," he said, "and it will present itself differently every day." But it won't be difficult to pinpoint one facet of the Williams era that will quickly...

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A few quick Sunday notes

November 03, 2013, 5:59am

Nationals

I might have missed Friday's press conference where the Nationals introduced Matt Williams as their new manager, but I didn't miss the quotes where Williams discussed how he wants the Nats to be aggressive under his watch. From the sound of things, Williams wants to put pressure on the opponent, be it on the basepaths, at the plate or in the field. The more that the Nationals can press the teams they're playing, the more that they can force mistakes and gain an edge. That's the way...

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Leftovers from Matt Williams' introductory press conference

November 01, 2013, 5:55pm

Nationals

Leftovers from Matt Williams' introductory press conference

Now that you've had a day to chew on it, how do you feel about the beginning of the Matt Williams era? In his introductory press conference Friday, Williams sure sounded the part of a 21st-century major league manager, as forward-thinking and embracing of the advanced metrics now frequently used to dissect baseball as he was respectful of the game he loves and true to his deep, traditional roots. He seemed to say all the right things, but that's by design. After all, introductory pressers...

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LeCroy replacing Lett, Weidemaier joining Willams' staff

November 01, 2013, 1:32pm

Nationals

LeCroy replacing Lett, Weidemaier joining Willams' staff

New Nationals manager Matt Williams' coaching staff will remain largely intact. Only bullpen coach Jim Lett, who began his Nationals tenure under Jim Riggleman and remained on Davey Johnson's staff after Riggleman resigned, will not return. Lett will be replaced by Matt LeCroy, the former major league catcher who has managed at several levels of the Washington organization, most recently at Double-A Harrisburg. The return of bench coach Randy Knorr, who had been a candidate for the job that...

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Werth, Desmond, Roark excited about new manager Matt Williams

November 01, 2013, 12:38pm

Nationals

Werth, Desmond, Roark excited about new manager Matt Williams

New field manager Matt Williams made a point during his opening introductory news conference to say how thankful he was that current Nationals players Ian Desmond, Tanner Roark and Jayson Werth were in attendance. Williams said he was struck by a conversation he had with Desmond before the introduction to the media. Desmond told Williams he wanted to work a little bit harder. Williams said he was all for it. That symbolized what kind of player Williams was - the marine, the Carson Crusher,...

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The challenges of being a first-time skipper (Souza added to 40-man)

November 01, 2013, 6:21am

Nationals

The challenges of being a first-time skipper (Souza added to 40-man)

Matt Williams has been around professional baseball for 27 years. He played 17 years in the big leagues, spent a few years getting a different perspective on the game when he worked as a Diamondbacks broadcaster and has been a part of Arizona's coaching staff for the last four seasons. Williams has seen pretty much everything there is to see in pro baseball. His knowledge of the game is vast. But there is one aspect of Williams' resume that is lacking as he takes the newest leap in his...

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Rizzo discusses the Matt Williams hire

October 31, 2013, 9:18am

Nationals

General manager Mike Rizzo will introduce Matt Williams to the Washington media and Nationals fans tomorrow at 2 p.m. live on MASN HD. But this afternoon, Rizzo hopped on a conference call with reporters to discuss his hire of Williams as the Nats' next manager. Rizzo said that the Nationals had "a number of highly qualified candidates" inquire about their managerial opening in the last few weeks. But in the end, the organization went with the 47-year-old Williams, a five-time All-Star...

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Williams comes to Washington with impressive playing resume

November 01, 2013, 12:37pm

Nationals

Williams comes to Washington with impressive playing resume

Matt Williams, former third base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was introduced Friday as the fifth manager in Nationals history, taking over for the retired Davey Johnson. Williams played 17 seasons as a third baseman with the Giants, Indians and Diamondbacks, playing in a World Series with each team. His only ring came in 2001 with the Diamondbacks. He is the only player in history to hit at least one home run in the World Series for three different teams. Other nuggets about Williams'...

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Diamondbacks scribe on Williams: "He is a classic old-school baseball type guy"

October 31, 2013, 11:01am

Nationals

Diamondbacks scribe on Williams: "He is a classic old-school baseball type guy"

Former Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman and coach Matt Williams was named manager of the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Bob Baum, an Associated Press writer based in Phoenix who covers the Diamondbacks, remembers Williams as a player for Arizona. "I covered him since he was a player in his first year," Baum said. "He is a classic old-school baseball type guy. He is very straightforward. I like that he was always straightforward with us, no baloney. "He is exceedingly honest and to...

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Knorr excited to return as bench coach (plus McCatty note)

October 31, 2013, 10:35am

Nationals

Knorr excited to return as bench coach (plus McCatty note)

Randy Knorr might not have gotten the Nationals' managerial job, but he will return as the team's bench coach next season. And Knorr says he's thrilled to be back in that role. Knorr, who had been one of a handful of candidates to interview for the Nats' managerial vacancy, finalized his deal to return as bench coach today, he said. General manager Mike Rizzo and new Nationals manager Matt Williams both reached out to Knorr last week and let him know they hoped he would take the bench...

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Weekly Wrap: Matt Williams named Nats manager

October 31, 2013, 8:25pm

Nationals

Weekly Wrap: Matt Williams named Nats manager

The Boston Red Sox are 2013 World Series champions, and with another season wrapping up Wednesday, the Nationals officially announced that Matt Williams is their new manager. The official statement came from the Nationals on Thursday morning. With the announcement came the news that Randy Knorr would be continuing his role as bench coach. In case you missed the news, we'll have you covered here on MASNsports.com each Friday with top news from the Nationals. Here are some other headlines...

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Let the offseason begin

October 31, 2013, 6:49am

Nationals

The World Series is in the books. The Boston Red Sox are your 2013 champions, bringing an end to quite an entertaining Fall Classic that left us with no shortage of dramatic plays and close calls to discuss around the water cooler. The Red Sox were the most complete team in the postseason, and they earned the title. It marks quite a turnaround from a disastrous 2012 season and is yet another reminder that you never know what's going to happen in this game. In case you missed it, we also got...

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Nationals officially name Matt Williams manager

October 31, 2013, 7:16am

Nationals

Now that the World Series is over, the Nationals can make it official: Matt Williams has been hired as their new manager. Williams, 47, becomes the fifth full-time manager in Nationals history. The team made the announcement late this morning, and Williams will meet with the media tomorrow afternoon during a 2 p.m. press conference that will be televised live on MASN HD. "I feel privileged and honored to be a part of this team," Williams said in a statement. "It's a wonderful group of...

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Nationals name Matt Williams field manager

October 31, 2013, 7:12am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced the hiring of 47-year-old Matt Williams as their field manager. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. This is the first big league managerial position of Williams' coaching career. Williams joins the Nationals organization after spending the previous four seasons on Kirk Gibson's coaching staff in Arizona, the last three as Diamondbacks' third base coach. "Matt has a wealth of knowledge...

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Span, Desmond come up short in Gold Glove voting

October 29, 2013, 12:29pm

Nationals

Span, Desmond come up short in Gold Glove voting

The Nationals will not have a Gold Glove winner this season. Center fielder Denard Span and shortstop Ian Desmond, both named as finalists for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at their respective positions, came up short in the voting. It was announced tonight on ESPN2 that Milwaukee's Carlos Gomez won the Gold Glove for best defensive National League center fielder, while Atlanta's Andrelton Simmons took home the award among NL shortstops. It's the first Gold Glove award for both...