nationals

Red Sox eyeing pitching, could offer Nats Kalish, Reddick

December 05, 2011, 5:25am

DALLAS - The Nationals' search for a center fielder who can hit leadoff may lead to Boston, where the Red Sox could be willing to part with an outfielder in exchange for a pitcher. New Boston general manager Ben Cherington is dangling Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick in hopes that he can pry an arm from the Nationals, according to a major league source. Kalish is a 23-year-old left-handed hitter who reached the majors in 2010 and hit .252 with hour homers and 24 RBIs and stole 10 bases in 53...

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Nix signs with Phillies, Riggleman to manage Reds' Double-A team (updated)

December 04, 2011, 3:08pm

Nationals

Nix signs with Phillies, Riggleman to manage Reds' Double-A team (updated)

DALLAS - Just like last year, the Winter Meetings aren't waiting until their official Monday start for player news, and one of the first tidbits from the Hilton Anatole came in the form of reports that the Nationals have lost a guy off the bench they had hoped to re-sign. According to multiple media outlets, the Phillies have agreed to a two-year major league deal with outfielder Laynce Nix, ending the powerful left-handed hitter's tenure in D.C. after just one season. Nix, 31, posted career...

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Is balance of power shifting toward D.C. in NL East?

December 05, 2011, 4:26am

Nationals

Is balance of power shifting toward D.C. in NL East?

DALLAS - Is the balance of power in the National League East shifting? The Nationals came to the Winter Meetings with money to spend and holes to fill, guaranteeing that general manager Mike Rizzo will be among the more popular executives at the Hilton Anatole. Last night, the newly christened Miami Marlins landed their second huge free agent of the offseason, agreeing to a six-year, $106 million deal for shortstop Jose Reyes, who joins ex-Padres closer Heath Bell (three years, $27 million)...

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Balking at Wilson's asking price, Nats ready to move on

December 04, 2011, 7:51pm

Nationals

Balking at Wilson's asking price, Nats ready to move on

DALLAS - Looks like the Nationals, like most of baseball, are balking at the notion of paying left-hander C.J. Wilson north of $100 million to solidify their rotation. A source at the Winter Meetings told me tonight that the Nats are moving their focus to the other two top free agent pitchers, lefty Mark Buehrle and right-hander Roy Oswalt. This is typical of baseball's biggest offseason gathering: A free agent shoots for the moon, teams bristle at his asking price and the clubs move on to...

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Hector Nelo hits 100 mph, Nationals believe he has "best arm" in system

December 02, 2011, 4:33pm

Nationals

Right-hander Hector Nelo was able to display command of his mid-90s fastball and showed some positives from his other offerings in a solid first campaign with the Single-A Potomac Nationals last season. Nelo went 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 36 games in 2011, taking over the closer role when Patrick Lehman was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. Nelo had 18 saves in 41 1/3 innings, striking out 35 and allowing just 11 total earned runs. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris was...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 1: Bryce Harper

December 01, 2011, 2:18am

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 1: Bryce Harper

"You want to talk Bryce? He is sitting right here", then-College of Southern Nevada coach Tim Chambers said to me over the phone a couple of years ago. Bryce Harper was getting ready for his first and only season of collegiate baseball for the Las Vegas-based junior college and regularly sat in his coach's office talking baseball or reading books. That day, Harper was reading a biography of Willie Mays. He was pleasant, positive and soft-spoken. Harper would talk about baseball and his...

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How close are the Nationals to developing their own leadoff center fielder?

November 28, 2011, 7:13pm

Nationals

With Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings beginning Monday in Dallas, it is no secret the Nationals have a starting pitcher and leadoff hitter as their two priorities. How difficult will it be to solve both of those issues next week in Texas? It probably will not be an easy task to complete for many teams, not just the Nationals, because the Michael Bourns are not available as free agents. When you look at the Nationals' system, there are some bright stars in the future waiting in...

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What will go down at the Winter Meetings?

November 30, 2011, 7:30am

Nationals

What will go down at the Winter Meetings?

We're just days away from the start of baseball's annual Winter Meetings, the time when we click on the burners and watch as the Hot Stove ignites, giving teams a chance to build their rosters for the upcoming season. The Nationals are certainly no exception. After a third-place finish and an 80-81 record, fans are hoping 2012 will see the team take the next step, possibly earning their first postseason berth since moving to Washington. There's a lot of potential in our nation's capital,...

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Nationals live chat set for Tuesday, Nov. 29

November 25, 2011, 4:44am

Nationals

We may be on the cusp of December, but here at Nationals Buzz, it's always baseball season. We love it and we know you love it, so why not talk a little Nationals baseball? That's exactly what's going to happen. This Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m., join MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr and Pete Kerzel for a live video chat as they update fans on everything in the world of Nationals baseball, including the team's strategy for the upcoming Winter Meetings and details of baseball's new collective...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 2: Anthony Rendon

November 27, 2011, 2:30am

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 2: Anthony Rendon

As the 2011 First-Year Player Draft moved along, it was apparent that there was a run on pitchers, and with guys like Danny Hultzen and Gerrit Cole setting the tone, the Nationals quickly realized top position players would still be available at No. 6. Only outfielder Bubba Starling was taken before Washington selected Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon with the sixth pick. Many mock drafts had Rendon as the No. 1 talent on the board and the Nationals were thrilled the heralded corner infielder...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 3: Brad Peacock

November 24, 2011, 12:37pm

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 3: Brad Peacock

In 2011, right-hander Brad Peacock had one of the best overall seasons of any minor league pitcher in the Nationals' short history. Peacock went an incredible 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 23 starts in the minor leagues. In 146 2/3 innings, Peacock fanned 177 batters. Then in September, Peacock continued his dominance with the Nationals, going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three games with two starts. He allowed a single run in 12 innings of work. Baseball America has watched Peacock steadily climb the...

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HGH testing in new labor pact gives baseball added credibility

November 23, 2011, 5:39am

Nationals Orioles

HGH testing in new labor pact gives baseball added credibility

The latest agreement between the owners and players, announced Tuesday, means baseball will have 21 consecutive seasons of labor peace, and that makes baseball look good compared to the NBA and, to a certain extent, the NFL. The key to this year's agreement was the workable personalities of Rob Manfred, the owners' top negotiator, and Michael Weiner, who heads the players' union. The two worked together much better than the Bud Selig-Donald Fehr battles that were part eight work stoppages...

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Adjustments to Purke's delivery led to outstanding Arizona finish

November 23, 2011, 4:12am

Nationals

Adjustments to Purke's delivery led to outstanding Arizona finish

Former Texas Christian pitcher Matt Purke was one of the bigger headlines coming out of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft and with good reason. The tall southpaw could bring the heat and had an impeccable college career with the Horned Frogs, leading them to their first College World Series. After looking very good in instructional league camp with the Nationals, Purke was sent to the Arizona Fall League to pitch for the Scottsdale Scorpions under the watchful eye of pitching coach Paul...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 4: A.J. Cole

November 21, 2011, 8:20pm

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 4: A.J. Cole

Right-hander A.J. Cole made a nice splash in the Nationals' system in his debut season with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. The fourth-round selection from the 2010 draft posted a 4-7 record with a 4.04 ERA in 20 games, 18 of those as a starter. He struck out 108 batters in 89 innings, allowing only 24 walks. His best month was in June, where he went 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA with 23 punchouts in 20 innings. The lanky, 6-foot-4, 180-pounder from Winter Springs, Fla., has always been noticed by...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 5: Brian Goodwin

November 18, 2011, 9:16pm

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 5: Brian Goodwin

The Nationals were very impressed with the speed and hitting ability of outfielder Brian Goodwin at instructional league. The coaches marveled at his speed from home plate to first base and were equally appreciative of his work at the plate. The way Goodwin played in Viera, Fla., showed a little bit of the potential and a great deal of the talent that the Nationals were looking for when they selected the speedy outfielder early in the First-Year Player Draft in June. Baseball America has also...

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Nationals add five players to 40-man roster

November 18, 2011, 12:03pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected the contracts of first baseman Tyler Moore, catchers Derek Norris and Jhonatan Solano, and outfielder Eury Perez. Additionally, the Nationals claimed right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Moore hit .271 with 35 doubles, 31 home runs and 90 RBIs in 137 games with Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League in...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 6: Alex Meyer

November 17, 2011, 10:21am

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 6: Alex Meyer

The Nationals' prospect list has moved into the fast lane this offseason, thanks to the franchise's big take in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. The team was able to select Anthony Rendon, Matt Purke, Brian Goodwin and pitcher Alex Meyer with their early June selections. Meyer, at 6-foot-9 and 220 lbs., could be an imposing force in the Nationals' rotation once he gains experience and consistency. Recently in Florida at the team's instructional camp, Nationals director of player...

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Nationals announce coaching staff for 2012

November 17, 2011, 3:22pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced that hitting coach Rick Eckstein, pitching coach Steve McCatty, third base coach Bo Porter, first base coach Trent Jewett and bullpen coach Jim Lett will return as members of manager Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2012 season. The Nationals also announced that Randy Knorr will join the staff as bench coach. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Eckstein and McCatty return...

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Pitcher's perspective: The art of throwing a ball

November 14, 2011, 10:39am

Nationals

Pitcher's perspective: The art of throwing a ball

While watching and listening to postseason baseball, I came upon a conversation going on during a radio broadcast of the Texas Rangers/Detroit Tigers series. The announcer and newly appointed Marlins hitting coach Eduardo Perez were discussing how difficult it is for a pitcher to throw a ball instead of a strike. One of the pitchers in the series had given up a game-changing home run when attempting to throw a pitch out of the zone. Perez opined it was actually a very difficult art for the...

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Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 7: Matt Purke

November 13, 2011, 3:37am

Nationals

Baseball America's top Nats prospects - No. 7: Matt Purke

BERKELEY, Calif. - Greetings from the Golden State. College basketball season is under way and this weekend, I am on assignment with the George Washington Colonials as they venture into Haas Pavilion to take on the No. 24 California Golden Bears. When we arrived, I got a good report on the pitching of left-hander Matt Purke, who threw another scoreless inning in the Arizona Fall League on Saturday. The Nationals are very proud of the progress the former TCU standout has made since a rocky...