nationals

Skole blasts two-run shot in Salt River's 8-3 victory

November 08, 2012, 2:36am

Nationals prospect Matt Skole picked up where he left off, going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBIs in Salt River's 8-3 win over Surprise on Wednesday night in the Arizona Fall League. Skole crushed the two-run shot in the fifth inning, walked in the first and smacked a two-run single in the third. He grounded out and flew out in his final two at-bats. His four RBIs marked the second game in a row a Nationals prospect connected for that total, and ran his RBI mark to a team-high 12...

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Rendon still has something to prove before reaching bigs

November 07, 2012, 6:17am

Nationals

Rendon still has something to prove before reaching bigs

Today marks the beginning of the GM meetings out in Indian Wells, Calif., an event that runs through Friday. These meetings aren't nearly as significant as the annual Winter Meetings when it comes to free agent action or trade talk, but they serve as a nice starting point for a lot of offseason deals which are completed at a later date. While Mike Rizzo is taking part in all that action out in California, Anthony Rendon is starting to heat up in nearby Arizona. As pointed out by my...

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A non-update update on LaRoche

November 05, 2012, 10:16pm

Nationals

How much should the Nationals be prepared to pay in order to keep Adam LaRoche in D.C.? How long a contract should they be willing to offer? Those are questions that are being tossed around both by people within the Nationals organization and within LaRoche's camp. Contract talks are still not to the point where a deal is expected in the very near future, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. But don't take that to mean that the Nationals aren't still very much in the...

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Jackson hasn't "closed the doors" on a return to Nats

November 06, 2012, 11:50am

Nationals

Jackson hasn't "closed the doors" on a return to Nats

Back at home after returning from a recent trip out west, Edwin Jackson isn't stressing about his contract negotiation process. The free agent right-hander hit the open market more than a week ago and has had plenty of chances to check in with his agent and ask which teams have already come calling. But Jackson says he's been pretty hands-off when it comes to the business side of things at this stage, choosing to relax, get some vacation time in and start some light agility training rather...

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Rendon with two doubles as Salt River wins slugfest, 14-12

November 07, 2012, 1:45am

Nationals

Rendon with two doubles as Salt River wins slugfest, 14-12

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon went 3-for-3 with two doubles and four RBIs as Salt River outscored Scottsdale 14-12 in the Arizona Fall League on Tuesday night. Rendon also had a single, two runs, sac fly and a stolen base, raising his average to .317. He has hit .382 (13-for-34) with five doubles, a triple and seven RBIs in his last 10 games. The third baseman has four stolen bases and 12 runs scored in 17 AFL contests. He has totaled 10 RBIs and 11 walks in Arizona. Rendon had the sac...

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Desmond invites fans to help Spread the Glove

November 06, 2012, 6:05am

Nationals

Desmond invites fans to help Spread the Glove

Ian Desmond wants you to help Spread the Glove. Through his Web site, the Nationals shortstop has begun a campaign - called Spread the Glove - to partner up with fans and help worthy charities. When fans purchase wrist bands, or sweatshirts and t-shirts featuring Desmond's facsimile signature, proceeds from the sale will be donated to three charities selected by fans. "This is just the beginning of how all of us can help make a difference," Desmond said. "We cannot help everyone at one...

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One area that needs little to no improvement

November 05, 2012, 4:49am

Nationals

One area that needs little to no improvement

When you assess the Nationals' roster, there are a handful of needs which will have to be addressed this offseason. There's obviously the Adam LaRoche situation, which will determine who will man first base for the next two or three seasons and also will end up impacting Michael Morse and the starting left field job. There's a need for a fifth starter, now that Edwin Jackson is unlikely to return and John Lannan appears likely to be non-tendered. There are bullpen spots that have to be...

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Brad Meyers on return to Nationals: "I feel like I am coming back home"

November 06, 2012, 4:34am

Nationals

Right-hander Brad Meyers would just as soon forget 2012. It started off well with a new opportunity with the New York Yankees following his selection from the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft at last year's Winter Meetings. But a shoulder injury and just one appearance altered that momentum quickly. Eleven months later, the Santa Ana, Calif., native has been returned to the Nationals and is excited about being back with the club that originally drafted him. "I feel like I am coming back...

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Offense from Nats prospects helping Salt River pursue AFL crown

November 04, 2012, 7:41pm

Nationals

Offense from Nats prospects helping Salt River pursue AFL crown

Some of the Nationals' best position player prospects are on display in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters. Brian Goodwin, Jason Martinson, Anthony Rendon and Matt Skole have combined to provide a good measure of the offense for the Rafters as they pursue the AFL crown. The Rafters are 11-9 with about two weeks remaining in the season. Salt River had hit 16 homers in 20 games, second to Mesa. They have 38 stolen bases, a league-leading total. Their .393 slugging percentage...

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Corrales leaves Nats after six seasons

November 05, 2012, 9:53am

Nationals

After spending the last six seasons with the Nationals, Pat Corrales has left the organization to become a special assistant to Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. Corrales served in a number of roles during his time with the Nationals. He was the team's bench coach on three separate occasions (2007-08, the second half of 2009 and the second half of 2011), served as a special assistant to the GM and most recently spent this last season working in player development. Corrales roamed...

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Candidates in Lee County weigh in on efforts to lure Nats to Fort Myers

November 05, 2012, 8:45am

Nationals

Candidates in Lee County weigh in on efforts to lure Nats to Fort Myers

Election day in southwest Florida could have an impact on the Nationals' efforts to relocate their spring training facility from Space Coast Stadium in Viera to vacant City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. Officials from Lee County have been engaged in discussions with the Nationals since March, but this story in the Naples Daily News sheds some light as to why there is so little public discussion about the talks - and casts some doubts as to whether they will bear any fruit. "I can tell you...

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How 'bout Haren?

November 03, 2012, 7:13am

Nationals

As of midnight, free agency has officially begun. After being able to talk solely with their previous team for the last five days, free agents are now allowed to chat with any team and begin negotiations on contracts for the 2013 season. Adam LaRoche will mull over his one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer from the Nationals, but it's an offer he's certain to decline. A multi-year deal is in his future, be it with the Nats or one of the other 29 teams around the league. There were nine...

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Goodwin shines as East beats West 9-4 in AFL Rising Stars game

November 03, 2012, 8:58pm

Nationals

Goodwin shines as East beats West 9-4 in AFL Rising Stars game

Nationals outfield prospect Brian Goodwin smacked a home run and went 2-for-5 as the East All-Stars beat the West All-Stars 9-4 in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game at Talking Stick Saturday night. Trailing 2-0 in the first frame, Goodwin, a left fielder, crushed a solo homer to start the offense, cutting the deficit in half. Down 4-3 in the fifth, the East scored six times to take control and win going away. Goodwin had an RBI double in the inning to give the East a 7-4...

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Nats extend qualifying offer to LaRoche, not Jackson

November 02, 2012, 3:54pm

Nationals

Nats extend qualifying offer to LaRoche, not Jackson

The Nationals have extended a qualifying offer to Adam LaRoche, an industry source has confirmed, guaranteeing the team a compensatory draft pick in 2013 if LaRoche chooses to sign elsewhere. The Nats did not extend qualifying offers to any of their other free agents, including right-handed starter Edwin Jackson. LaRoche now has seven days to accept a one-year, $13.3 million deal. He's expected to decline the offer in search of a multi-year deal. The Nationals can still negotiate a new...

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Matt Skole playing first base exclusively in Arizona

November 02, 2012, 10:32am

Nationals

Matt Skole playing first base exclusively in Arizona

Nationals prospect Matt Skole is enjoying his opportunity to play for Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League and is anxious to get back on the field after "tweaking" his hamstring last Saturday. "I just tweaked it a little bit," Skole said. "They gave me this week off. I am going to play (today). I think they are being overcautious. It wasn't that big of a deal. Those guys took care of me." Skole is a third baseman by trade. For low Single-A Hagerstown and high Single-A Potomac...

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Some more buzz on Bourn (updated)

November 01, 2012, 9:47pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been linked to Michael Bourn for some time now, dating back a couple years to his days with the Astros. The reasons are fairly obvious: The Nats have been searching for their long-term answer in center field, they could use speed and a stable presence at the top of the order (even though Jayson Werth is an option there), and Bourn's agent happens to be Scott Boras, with whom Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has a good working relationship. Now, with Bourn poised to hit the...

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How high can Jordan Zimmermann go in 2013?

November 01, 2012, 5:51am

Nationals

How high can Jordan Zimmermann go in 2013?

Not only was Bryce Harper apparently pretty excited to welcome kids to his doorstep for Halloween, he also threw on a costume himself. What did the 20-year-old dress up as?

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LaRoche, Burnett decline options, become free agents

November 01, 2012, 12:36pm

Nationals

LaRoche, Burnett decline options, become free agents

As expected, both first baseman Adam LaRoche and left-handed reliever Sean Burnett have declined their mutual options and have become free agents, a source confirmed Thursday. LaRoche had a $10 million mutual option for 2013, while Burnett's option was for $3.5 million. Assuming the two players don't reach a new contract with the Nationals before Saturday, they will hit the open market and be allowed to negotiate with all 30 teams. Because the two players each declined their half of the...

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Experienced pitcher and leadoff hitter top Nats' wish list

November 01, 2012, 8:57am

Nationals

Experienced pitcher and leadoff hitter top Nats' wish list

As the offseason kicks into high gear, the Nationals are a defending champion in an unusual position: They could stand pat and be picked to win the National League East for a second consecutive season in 2013. But that's not how the Nationals operate. They'll likely be looking for an experienced pitcher and a leadoff batter. The Nationals rotation will have Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Ross Detwiler, but the fifth guy is up for debate. It could be Zack Greinke,...

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What type of market will there be for LaRoche's services?

October 31, 2012, 6:45am

Nationals

What type of market will there be for LaRoche's services?

I forgot to mention this the other day, but early odds for who will win the 2013 World Series have been released. Not surprisingly, the Nationals find themselves toward the top of the list of favorites. Bovada has given the Nats 12-to-1 odds to win the World Series next season, putting them behind just the Tigers (6-to-1), Yankees (7-to-1) and Giants (10-to-1). The Rangers and Angels also are listed at 12-to-1. Within the National League East, the Phillies and Braves were given 14-to-1...