nationals

Nationals among favorites for Greinke, Rays may make run at Reynolds

December 02, 2012, 4:05pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Welcome to 2012 version of baseball's Winter Meetings: The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is an overwhelming maze of corridors, two million Christmas lights, restaurants and shops. Visitors can ride a showboat down the Cumberland River, visit the Holly Jolly Town Square, take a carriage ride or check out the two million pounds of ice sculptures with the theme of "Shrek the Halls." And, of course, a visitor can walk anywhere and get into a baseball...

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Time to take off for Nashville

December 01, 2012, 10:12pm

Nationals

I'm off for Nashville, where the weather is warmer than D.C., and the hot stove is certain to get toasty, as well. I've been to the Winter Meetings the last three years, but this will be my first as a beat writer. I'm looking forward to countless baseless rumors, having my phone glued to my hand for four straight days and trying to navigate my way through the massive Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, where the meetings are being held. Can you taste the sarcasm? In all...

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Winter numbers for Tatusko, Davis, McCoy, Walters, Rivero and others

December 01, 2012, 4:46am

Nationals

Winter numbers for Tatusko, Davis, McCoy, Walters, Rivero and others

Right-hander Ryan Tatusko has had a pretty good run with Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League. Tatusko has made five starts since Nov. 8, going 0-2 with a 1.54 ERA, allowing just four earned runs with 21 strikeouts, nine walks and no home runs allowed in 23 1/3 innings. He has given up only a .212 batting average against. Tatusko was 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 27 games this summer for Double-A Harrisburg. He also saw this grazing in the player's parking lot at a recent...

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Nats non-tender Lannan, Flores, Gorzelanny

November 30, 2012, 2:25pm

Nationals

Nats non-tender Lannan, Flores, Gorzelanny

The Nationals plan to cut ties with left-handed starter John Lannan, catcher Jesus Flores and left-handed reliever Tom Gorzelanny, a source confirmed, declining to tender those players a contract. Lannan was twice the Nationals' opening day starter, Flores was once viewed as the team's catcher of the future and Gorzelanny was a productive long reliever during the Nats' 2012 playoff run. All three would be free agents if they are indeed non-tendered. Teams have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to...

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A closer look at Span's 2012 reveals consistent offense

November 30, 2012, 7:36am

Nationals

A closer look at Span's 2012 reveals consistent offense

Newly acquired Nationals center fielder Denard Span said he did not feel like he was back at 100 percent health-wise and was building his strength back from shoulder and concussion issues in 2012. Yet he still put up consistent and crucial offensive numbers in the Twins offense. His presence in D.C. will mark the first time in their history the Nationals have had a real leadoff hitter/center fielder who has had success elsewhere for a period of time - but at 28 still has his best years ahead...

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Rizzo discusses the Denard Span trade

November 29, 2012, 1:45pm

Nationals

Mike Rizzo has had his eye on Denard Span for quite a while now. The Nationals' general manager scouted Span a decade ago back at Catholic High School in Tampa, Fla., followed him through the Twins' organization and was close to pulling off a trade for Span two years ago. Today, Rizzo finally got his guy. The Nationals acquired Span from the Twins for right-handed pitching prospect Alex Meyer this evening. Span will play center field and hit leadoff for the Nats, taking over a role that...

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Another look at the Span trade and the many options ahead

November 29, 2012, 10:47pm

Nationals

Another look at the Span trade and the many options ahead

The Nationals could have easily gone out and dropped $75-85 million on a big-name free agent center fielder. Michael Bourn and B.J. Upton were both out there for the taking until Upton landed with the Braves two days ago, and signing either would have turned heads and qualified as a big splash. Instead of going in that direction and being on the hook for a monster five-year deal, the Nats took the creative route. They made a deal with the Twins for Denard Span, a 28-year-old center fielder...

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Lannan's future with Nats could be decided today

November 30, 2012, 9:07am

Nationals

Lannan's future with Nats could be decided today

Sometime today, we'll learn whether John Lannan still could have a future with the Nationals or whether the team will cut ties with its two-time opening day starter. The deadline for teams to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players is 11:59 p.m. tonight. The Nationals have 10 players up for arbitration, but only two are legitimate candidates to be non-tendered, which is a fancy term for the team declining the option to negotiate a contract through arbitration. Ian Desmond,...

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Span excited and emotional about move to the Nationals (updated)

November 29, 2012, 12:24pm

Nationals

Newly acquired Nationals outfielder Denard Span is excited to be coming to D.C. after hearing the news he had been traded to the Nationals from the Minnesota Twins. "Yeah, most definitely, most definitely, man," Span said when reached by phone after the trade was announced. "My initial reaction as I talked to (Twins) general manager Terry Ryan. At first, when he told me it was definitely sad news. I have been with the Twins for 10 years. Everything I know about the game came from...

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Weekly Wrap

November 29, 2012, 8:24pm

Nationals

With basbeall's Winter Meetings just a few days away, there is one name that will be off the table next week. Center fielder Denard Span was acquired by the Nationals from the Twins on Thursday. Span was traded for top pitching prospect Alex Meyer. This deal came just a day after the Braves landed B.J. Upton. With the acquisition of Span, the subject of where Michael Morse will land in 2013 will be a frequent one at the Winter Meetings, as will the subject of Sean Burnett. Catcher...

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Rizzo looking for "dynamic" center fielder, LaRoche talks not progressing far

November 29, 2012, 11:00am

Nationals

Rizzo looking for "dynamic" center fielder, LaRoche talks not progressing far

When the Winter Meetings begin in Nashville in four days, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo will sit in on dozens of meetings with agents and front office personnel from other teams, looking to upgrade his roster for the 2013 season and beyond. Speaking this afternoon on 106.7 the Fan, Rizzo revealed that one of his top goals during these sessions will be to add a "dynamic" center fielder, which would allow Bryce Harper to move to a corner outfield spot. "Circle back to months ago and...

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Nats acquire Denard Span from Twins for Alex Meyer (updated with Rizzo quick hits)

November 29, 2012, 11:37am

Nationals

Nats acquire Denard Span from Twins for Alex Meyer (updated with Rizzo quick hits)

After a couple of years of searching, the Nationals have finally found their center fielder and leadoff hitter. The Nats have acquired Denard Span in a trade with the Twins in return for minor league right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer. Span, 28, hit .283 with four home runs, 41 RBIs and 17 stolen bases and a .342 on-base percentage in 128 games this season. He gives the Nats speed at the top of the order, will bring strong defense in center and provides another left-handed bat in the...

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Nationals acquire Denard Span from Twins

November 29, 2012, 11:36am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired center fielder Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor-league right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span is a career .284 (669-for-2354) hitter with 105 doubles, 36 triples, 23 home runs, 230 RBI, 90 stolen bases, 254 walks, 360 runs scored in 589 big league contests spanning five seasons (2008-12) with the Twins. In 2012, Span...

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Looking at the remaining center field options

November 29, 2012, 6:33am

Nationals

Looking at the remaining center field options

The Braves had a shot to re-sign Michael Bourn, who had spent the last season and a half in Atlanta. Instead they chose B.J. Upton, signing the former Tampa Bay Rays center fielder to a five-year, $75 million deal. Not sure what that says about Bourn as he looks to get a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $80-90 million. Upton certainly brings qualities that Bourn doesn't; he's nearly two years younger, has more pop in his bat and many scouts still feel he hasn't yet lived up to his...

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Upton lands in the NL East

November 28, 2012, 12:53pm

Nationals

Scratch B.J. Upton off the list of free agent outfielders. And get ready to see him in the National League East for the next few years. The Braves have signed Upton to a five-year deal worth a shade over $75 million, according to multiple reports. That not only gives the Braves their center fielder and a middle-of-the-order bat, but it also pushes Michael Bourn out of Atlanta. Bourn now has a benchmark contract off which to work and a host of teams which will be calling, looking to fill a...

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Burnett's price continues to rise

November 28, 2012, 4:13am

Nationals

With every deal signed by a prominent free agent reliever, Sean Burnett's price goes up a bit more. As a result, his chances of returning to the Nationals could be decreasing. The Reds have agreed to a three-year deal with right-hander Jonathan Broxton, a contract which will pay the hard-throwing reliever $21 million, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The deal also includes a $9 million club option for 2016 with a $1 million buyout. This comes after the Giants signed left-hander...

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Now a starter, Ryan Perry has some unfinished business

November 28, 2012, 12:16pm

Nationals

Now a starter, Ryan Perry has some unfinished business

Right-hander Ryan Perry was pleased with his season and the progress he made, moving from reliever to starter, trying to become a pitcher instead of just a thrower. He not only was able to find success at his new job with Double-A Harrisburg, but also received an invitation to pitch in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. His season wrapped up with the starting pitching spot in the Arizona Fall League title game, and although he did not go out the way he wanted, he still was happy with where...

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Rendon and Skole selected to AFL Top Prospects Team

November 26, 2012, 6:14pm

Nationals

Rendon and Skole selected to AFL Top Prospects Team

The Arizona Fall League announced its Top Prospects Team and a pair of Nationals prospects made the list. Both are third basemen - Anthony Rendon and Matt Skole. The team was put together by AFL managers and coaches. The Top Prospects Team recognizes players who distinguished themselves throughout the league's six-week 2012 schedule against other top prospects from every organization in Major League Baseball. Voters also were asked to consider AFL performance and major league...

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Will this be the year Raines, Smith reach Cooperstown?

November 28, 2012, 7:16am

Nationals

Will this be the year Raines, Smith reach Cooperstown?

The 2013 Hall of Fame ballot is out, released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Members with 10 years under their belts get a vote, and 75 percent of the votes is the threshold necessary for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Last year, the first National appeared on the ballot: third baseman Vinny Castilla. He received only six votes among 573 ballots cast, meaning he's no longer eligible, relegated to the answer to a trivia question....

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Phillies' catcher suspended, Nats' catcher healing

November 27, 2012, 12:20pm

Nationals

Phillies' catcher suspended, Nats' catcher healing

The Phillies had a rough 2012 season, but catcher Carlos Ruiz helped them fight through the tough patches, batting .325 and posting a .935 OPS, both career highs. He was arguably the Phillies' top position player over the course of the season. This upcoming year, the Phillies will be without Ruiz for nearly the first month of the season. Major League Baseball has announced that Ruiz has been suspended for 25 games for testing positive for amphetamines. The suspension means that Ruiz has...