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Weekly Wrap

December 27, 2012, 8:49pm

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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Where are the weaknesses?

December 18, 2012, 6:06am

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Another day has passed, and still no announcement from the Red Sox on whether they've finally completed their deal with first baseman/catcher Mike Napoli. Napoli and the Red Sox agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million deal at the Winter Meetings more than two weeks ago, but the deal has still not been made official. There are reports that the Red Sox have found some sort of issues with Napoli's physical, and while the two sides are still working on a way to finalize the contract they...

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Keister takes positive attitude to Hagerstown

December 18, 2012, 8:43pm

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Keister takes positive attitude to Hagerstown

It was about one year ago that Tripp Keister was making the jump from collegiate coach at Wesley College to his job as manager for the Gulf Coast League Nationals. Now he has been promoted to manage the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Keister believes his purpose and job description really hasn't changed despite the classification jump. "I look forward to being at (Hagerstown)," Keister said this week. "I recognize as a player development staff member your job is still the same: Get these...

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Updates on Walters, Tatusko and Lozada for Leones de Ponce

December 17, 2012, 5:22am

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Updates on Walters, Tatusko and Lozada for Leones de Ponce

Here are some updates on Leones de Ponce in the Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (offseason league) this past week and how the Nationals' prospects are faring. Third baseman Zach Walters has put together four multi-hit games in his last nine contests, with 10 hits since Dec. 6. He had three hits on Dec. 6 and Dec. 16, plus a pair of base knocks on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Over his last 10 games, he is hitting .270 and his overall average is .260 overall with eight doubles and 13 RBIs...

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Look for more action on the bases in 2013

December 16, 2012, 5:24am

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Look for more action on the bases in 2013

The Nationals weren't a team that relied heavily on speed in 2012. They didn't have to. When healthy, the Nats' starting lineup featured eight guys who have hit at least 15 home runs in a season. Seven of those players have legitimate 25-homer power. The Nats also had a strong overall team on-base percentage, which nearly slotted them in the top third of the league in that category. They were tied for 14th in the league in stolen bases last season, swiping 105 bags. Not bad, but nothing...

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A few William & Mary standouts looking to make Nationals

December 15, 2012, 4:20am

Nationals

A pair of former College of William & Mary standouts, Will Rhymes and Bill Bray, will be looking to make the Nationals out of spring training. Second baseman Rhymes is a non-roster invitee who most recently played for the Tampa Bay Rays. The 5-foot-9, 155-lb. infielder is a career .266 hitter with 23 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs in 130 games. He broke in with the Detroit Tigers in 2010, and played 83 games in Motown. He was MiLB.com organization All-Star with the Tigers for 2010 and has made...