nationals

Can Bernadina back up a strong 2012 campaign?

December 28, 2012, 7:07am

If you're looking for some good baseball programming on TV to get you through the weekend, I've got a suggestion for you. Cue up the DVR and record any future airings of a one-hour special that originally aired on MLB Network last night called "The Third Team." The show follows around the six umpires that worked the 2012 World Series and gives you a very cool look at the game from their perspective. All six umpires are miked up during the games, and you get to see how the umps handle...

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As 2013 nears, Nats still waiting on LaRoche

December 27, 2012, 6:11am

Nationals

As 2013 nears, Nats still waiting on LaRoche

If you happen to be interested in getting a sneak peak at the Nationals' new-look batting practice caps for this season, you're in luck.

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Baseball America's No. 7 Nats prospect: Eury Perez

December 27, 2012, 4:44pm

Nationals

Baseball America's No. 7 Nats prospect: Eury Perez

There has always been a lot of talk about the potential of outfielder Eury Perez. Last season, for the first time, Nationals fans finally got to see him play in the big leagues. Perez, ranked as No. 7 on Baseball America's list of 10 top Nationals prospects, played in 13 games in September, going 1-for-5 (.200) with three stolen bases and three runs. It was a small sample size, and now Perez will have a shot to try to grab one of the utility slots in the Nationals outfield in spring training...

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The forgotten man in the bullpen

December 26, 2012, 7:18am

Nationals

By the time pitchers and catchers report to spring training some six to seven weeks from now, we'll already have a pretty good idea how the bulk of the Nationals' bullpen will be put together. Barring injuries to any of these players, it's pretty safe to slot Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Craig Stammen, Ryan Mattheus and Zach Duke into the 'pen. Another left-hander (J.P. Howell? Michael Gonzalez? Bill Bray?) is almost certain to join that group, as well. A lot can change between now and...

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Baseball America's No. 8 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis

December 25, 2012, 4:31pm

Nationals

Baseball America's No. 8 Nats prospect: Sammy Solis

I remember that July day in 2011 when left-hander Sammy Solis notched his first victory at the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. The southpaw was pretty pumped about that victory and the promise that inevitably lied ahead. That promise is still intact, now that Solis is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in March. If everything goes well this season, Solis will be able to return to the mound and get through this season with an innings limit. Solis went 6-2 in 2011 with a 2.72 ERA...

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Weekly Wrap

December 27, 2012, 8:49pm

Nationals

If you were occupied by holiday festivities this week, it's OK, because it was a rather slow week of baseball news, barring the power rankings that labeled the Nats a team to watch for the 2013 season. ESPN's Buster Olney ranked the Nats second in his early power rankings. While D.C. is preparing to watch the Redskins fight for a division title, MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko compared the team's surprising season to that of the Nationals. Again, this week's news is the lack of news...

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Targets on their backs

December 23, 2012, 10:29pm

Nationals

Watching the Redskins pick up their sixth straight win yesterday and move within one more victory of a division title (boy, will Sunday night's game against the Cowboys be just a tad intense?), I realized that the Skins' 2012 season to this point somewhat mirrors the Nationals' 2012 campaign. Obviously, given how each team finished in 2011, the Nats entered this most recent season with a bit loftier expectations around them than the burgundy and gold, and while the Redskins might end up in...

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ESPN preseason power rankings have Nationals at No. 2

December 23, 2012, 5:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals had the best record in baseball in 2012 with 98 victories. Heading into the 2013 season, the team is already receiving expectations that they will be just as good. ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney ranks the Nationals as No. 2 on his early power rankings behind world champion San Francisco Giants (subscription required). Olney cites the addition of center fielder Denard Span and the continued progression of the young outfielder Bryce Harper. Olney also says with...

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More gift-giving during this holiday season

December 25, 2012, 7:14am

Nationals

More gift-giving during this holiday season

Here's wishing a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all the Nationals fans out there. Hope you all get to spend the day with family and friends, and enjoy the company of those close to you. Regardless of what religion you may practice, that's what's truly important this time of year. That, and some sweet gifts. If past years are any indication, today will be a very quiet day in the baseball world. The trade talks will likely come to a halt for the day. The calls to agents will be...

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A possible reason for LaRoche's miniscule market

December 23, 2012, 7:48am

Nationals

A possible reason for LaRoche's miniscule market

It was reported earlier this year that Nick Swisher wanted Jayson Werth-type money this offseason. Don't we all. Swisher didn't get $126 million over seven years. He didn't get close to that. But he did end up with a four-year, $56 million deal courtesy of the Indians, according to reports. The top free agents are starting to come off the board pretty quickly now. By my count, of the top 50 free agents

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Big splashes not necessary for a successful offseason

December 22, 2012, 6:09am

Nationals

Big splashes not necessary for a successful offseason

As spring training gets close to beginning each year, we see columns pop up all over the internet declaring the winners and losers of that particular offseason. Often, the teams that make the big splashes - the big-name signings, the major trades - are declared winners for that offseason period. It's those type of moves which excite a fan base, which make headlines and generate a lot of attention towards a club. The Marlins were considered winners last offseason after signing Jose Reyes,...

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Baseball America's No. 10 Nats prospect: Zach Walters

December 20, 2012, 6:20am

Nationals

Baseball America's No. 10 Nats prospect: Zach Walters

Third baseman Zach Walters is No. 10 in Baseball America's top 10 Nationals prospects for 2013. The infielder, who can also play shortstop, played 126 games in three levels of the minors in 2012, plus the Arizona Fall League and winter ball in Puerto Rico. Here is the complete top 10 list from MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko. We will countdown from No. 10 to No. 1 and spotlight each of the Nats' top prospects, according to Baseball America. Walters played for Single-A Potomac, Double-A...

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Appreciating what we'll see on the mound in 2013 and beyond

December 20, 2012, 11:00pm

Nationals

Appreciating what we'll see on the mound in 2013 and beyond

Given the contracts that Edwin Jackson (four years, $52 million), Anibal Sanchez (five years, $80 million) and Zack Greinke (six years, $147 million) have scored this offseason, can you imagine what any of the Nationals' top three starters would fetch on the open market if they were all free agents this offseason? What type of deal would Gio Gonzalez land after winning 21 games, posting a 2.89 ERA and notching 207 strikeouts in 2012? How much money would a 26-year-old Jordan Zimmermann...

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Baseball America's No. 9 Nats prospect: Matt Purke

December 22, 2012, 3:40am

Nationals

Baseball America's No. 9 Nats prospect: Matt Purke

A heavy dose of potential is a theme for a few of the Baseball America Nationals' top 10 prospects. Left-hander Matt Purke is a pitcher I get constant questions about, as the Nationals have been unable to see Purke make it through an entire season healthy after showcasing one of the more amazing pitching arms at the collegiate level. Purke resides at No. 9 on Baseball America's top 10 Nationals prospects list because of his potential as a lethal southpaw starter. Sammy Solis and Purke are...

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Weekly Wrap

December 20, 2012, 5:55pm

Nationals

The Nationals have seen three of their former arms sign deals this week. John Lannan signed a one-year deal with the Phillies, Tom Gorzelanny signed a two-year deal with the Brewers, and Edwin Jackson agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Cubs. The Nats, however, have yet to make a deal with Adam LaRoche. Baseball America released its list of the top 10 prospects in the Nats' organization, which includes third baseman Zach Walters. In case you missed it, read more on these...

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Nats' decision on Jackson comes back to bite them

December 20, 2012, 11:11am

Nationals

Nats' decision on Jackson comes back to bite them

Five days after the World Series ended, the Nationals had a choice to make: extend Edwin Jackson a qualifying offer, or cut ties with the veteran right-hander completely. If the Nats presented Jackson with the qualifying offer and he accepted it, he would have been on the books for a one-year, $13.3 million deal in 2013. If he declined the qualifying offer and signed elsewhere, the Nats would receive a valuable compensatory draft pick, which would come between the first and second rounds of...

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Playing the waiting game (Gorzelanny signs with Brewers)

December 20, 2012, 3:57am

Nationals

Playing the waiting game (Gorzelanny signs with Brewers)

The Padres have reportedly dropped out of the Edwin Jackson sweepstakes, this apparently because they aren't willing to give the veteran right-hander a four-year contract. Yes, Jackson appears likely to receive a four-year deal that could end up topping $50 million. This for a guy with a 4.40 career ERA who has been with seven organizations in 10 years. I've got nothing against Jackson, who I liked a lot in my time covering him this season. But, man, this free agent market is...

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Rendon, Giolito head up Baseball America's list of Nats' top 10 prospects

December 19, 2012, 7:15am

Nationals

Rendon, Giolito head up Baseball America's list of Nats' top 10 prospects

There's no doubt that the Nationals' minor league system has been thinned out by recent trades that brought in Gio Gonzalez and Denard Span. But there are still a few prospects within the Nats' system with a pretty high ceiling, even after guys like Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole, Derek Norris, Tommy Milone and Alex Meyer were dealt in order for the Nationals to bring in proven major league players. Baseball America has released its list of the top 10 prospects in the Nationals' organization for...

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Nationals seeking new members for Nat Pack

December 19, 2012, 9:05am

Nationals

The Nat Pack - that group of baseball-crazy types who engage and excite fans at Nationals Park during baseball season - is looking for some new blood. If you think you have what it takes to be park of the group that directs entertainment in and out of the ballpark, the Nationals want to hear from you. Fans from across the area are encouraged to apply for the 2013 Nat Pack by sending a resume, cover letter and photo to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the title "2013 Nat Pack" in the subject...

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Why the Nationals won't offer LaRoche a three-year deal

December 16, 2012, 9:20pm

Nationals

The Nationals won their division and the Redskins are tied for the lead in theirs in mid-December. It's a wild time to be a D.C. sports fan. Last week, I discussed why Adam LaRoche has yet to make a decision on whether to return to D.C. and re-sign with the Nationals. The main reason is that LaRoche is still looking for a three-year contract, and the Nats are unwilling to offer anything beyond two years. At first glance, the Nationals' insistence on holding firm on their two-year offer...