Boras won't close door on Nationals re-signing Harper

Boras won't close door on Nationals re-signing Harper
LAS VEGAS - Echoing what general manager Mike Rizzo has been saying all week, and not what managing principal owner Mark Lerner said last week, agent Scott Boras today insisted the Nationals are not out of the running to re-sign free agent Bryce Harper. "I think when they say the door's open, I would certainly pay attention to what they say," Boras said during the early portion of what turned in a more than hour-long scrum with a throng of reporters today at the Winter Meetings. Despite a...

With an assist from Nationals, Reds begin reworking their starting staff

With an assist from Nationals, Reds begin reworking their starting staff
LAS VEGAS - Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark was traded Wednesday to the Reds, a team that's trying to rebuild its rotation and recover from four consecutive seasons of at least 90 losses. The Reds have had nothing but pitching problems. Last year, their staff gave up 5.06 runs a game, highest in the National League. The staff finished 14th in ERA (4.63) in 2018 and were last in 2017 at 5.17. Last year, the Reds fired their manager, Bryan Price, a former pitching coach, after the first 18 games,...

Nationals acquire Tanner Rainey from Reds

Nationals acquire Tanner Rainey from Reds
The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rainey, 25, went 7-2 with three saves and a 2.65 ERA in 44 games out of the bullpen for Triple-A Louisville in 2018. He struck out 65 batters, issued 35 walks and posted a .148 opponent batting average en route to being named an International...

Decisiveness, patience equally important in Rizzo's world

Decisiveness, patience equally important in Rizzo's world
LAS VEGAS - Even before he'd settled into his suite at the Delano Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Nationals general manger Mike Rizzo had swiftly and decisively checked off most of the items on his offseason to-do list. He'd bolstered the back end of his bullpen by trading with the Marlins for Kyle Barraclough and signing free agent Trevor Rosenthal to set up closer Sean Doolittle. He'd reworked his catching corps, signing free agent Kurt Suzuki for another tour in D.C. and...

Martinez's motto for 2019 Nationals: "Just one more"

Martinez's motto for 2019 Nationals: "Just one more"
LAS VEGAS - If Davey Martinez was going to create a motto for the 2019 Nationals, it would be rather simple while also driving home the main point he wants to convey to his players. "Just one more," the manager said Tuesday during his media session at the Winter Meetings. "One more. One more of everything. One more strikeout. One more stolen base. One more walk. Things like that. If we can do that consistently, we're going to win a lot of ballgames." Martinez has already mentioned on...

Teams inquiring about Roark, but Rizzo wants more pitching

Teams inquiring about Roark, but Rizzo wants more pitching
LAS VEGAS - Though multiple teams have approached the Nationals in recent days about Tanner Roark, general manager Mike Rizzo suggested he isn't looking to trade the veteran right-hander and would only do so if he had already bolstered his rotation with another significant acquisition. Responding to a report early this morning by Yahoo! Sports that the Nationals "have engaged in multiple discussions to trade" Roark, Rizzo admitted there have been some talks this week, but only those...

What to make of Tanner Roark trade speculation

What to make of Tanner Roark trade speculation
LAS VEGAS - The Winter Meetings are all about rumors. They dominate the lobby conversation day and night at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort. They fuel all sorts of media speculation. And they're discussed each day when reporters meet with general managers to get an update on their team's machinations. This morning brought some chatter n Yahoo! Sports about the Nationals shopping right-hander Tanner Roark, who seems an unusual trade candidate considering that general manager Mike Rizzo...

Spending spree underway, how deep and full are Phillies' pockets?

Spending spree underway, how deep and full are Phillies' pockets?
LAS VEGAS - The Phillies came into the offseason promising to spend money to add pitching, defense and a power bat for the lineup. On Tuesday, the second day of baseball's Winter Meetings at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the Phillies agreed to terms with outfielder Andrew McCutchen on a three-year, $50 million deal, pending a physical. But even with that kind of spending, reports are that the Phillies are could sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. Phillies ownership has a target on its...

Could defense up the middle make up for loss of Harper's power bat?

Could defense up the middle make up for loss of Harper's power bat?
LAS VEGAS - Anyone who's spent significant time around Mike Rizzo knows that what the Nationals general manager means isn't always what he says. There's a subtle subtext to his responses, which are calculated in such a way as to answer a question without revealing too much. Sometimes it's casual misdirection; other times, it's completely intentional. But sometimes, a sound byte from Rizzo gives you much more than you really hear. One of those moments came yesterday afternoon, when Rizzo...

Do Nats need to restrict Ross and Fedde's workloads in 2019?

Do Nats need to restrict Ross and Fedde's workloads in 2019?
LAS VEGAS - The Nationals got the frontline starter they've long coveted last week when they doled out $140 million to sign Patrick Corbin. Might they still be in the market for some back-of-the-rotation help, though? The Nationals, as currently constructed, have four locks to make their opening day rotation (assuming health for all those involved), with Corbin joining ace Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Tanner Roark. The fifth spot, for now, would go to either Joe Ross or Erick Fedde,...

Nats searching for one player to fill holes at first and second base

Nats searching for one player to fill holes at first and second base
LAS VEGAS - The Nationals made it a priority each of the last two winters to acquire a left-handed backup first baseman, wanting to make sure they had not only a potent bat off the bench but also a capable slugger who could take over everyday duties if Ryan Zimmerman landed on the disabled list. And each time they struck paydirt, getting major contributions from Adam Lind in 2017 and Matt Adams in 2018 (until he was traded to the Cardinals once the Nats fell out of the race). The Nationals find...

Nats not focused on left-handed relief market - for now

Nats not focused on left-handed relief market - for now
LAS VEGAS - His roster may be crying out for a dependable left-handed matchup reliever, but Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo doesn't consider adding one among the most pressing tasks he has to accomplish at the Winter Meetings. Aside from closer Sean Doolittle, the Nationals bullpen tilts decidedly toward the right side. The other two left-handed holdovers - Matt Grace and Sammy Solís - had mixed results last season. Grace had his best season as a major leaguer, posting a 2.87 ERA and...

Rizzo won't rule out possibility of resuming talks with Harper

Rizzo won't rule out possibility of resuming talks with Harper
LAS VEGAS - Mark Lerner's surprising, if honest, revelation last week that he expects Bryce Harper to sign with another club this winter was met with understandably strong emotions from all those invested in the most significant free agent storyline of the offseason. But within the Nationals front office, it was viewed less as a firm declaration of the club's resignation to move on from Harper and more as an off-the-cuff remark from the man wielding the most power in the organization. So the...

Hitting lesson with Long, grounds crew experience up for bid

Hitting lesson with Long, grounds crew experience up for bid
LAS VEGAS - If you want to feel what it's like to be a member of the media covering the Nationals, get a behind-the-scenes look at what the grounds crew at Nationals Park does or receive a private lesson with Nats hitting coach Kevin Long in the stadium batting cages, get your clicking fingers ready to bid. Beginning this morning, and running through Thursday at 10 p.m., these Nationals-centric goodies and other baseball items and experiences are up for bid at the annual Winter Meetings...

"MASN All Access" bringing exclusive live Winter Meetings shows to fans

"MASN All Access" bringing exclusive live Winter Meetings shows to fans
LAS VEGAS - Season's greetings from the Winter Meetings! The "MASN All Access" crew touched down in Vegas this weekend and is gearing up to bring you our biggest and best live shows yet. Where will Bryce Harper sign? Which team will make the biggest splash this week? How the heck do we find the exit to this casino? We're looking to bring all of these answers to you this week with twice-daily live shows on MASN All Access. Be sure to follow along on Facebook Live from 3-5 p.m. Eastern time...

Wondering about Rizzo's next moves at Winter Meetings

Wondering about Rizzo's next moves at Winter Meetings
LAS VEGAS - Now that he's made the big splashes, let's see if Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo can excel at the small moves that pay sizable dividends. The whirlwind of activity that preceded the Nats' arrival at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino filled most of the team's glaring weaknesses. Signing Kurt Suzuki as a free agent and trading for Yan Gomes reworked the catching corps. Newcomers Kyle Barraclough and Trevor Rosenthal will take over setup duties in the...

The Harper-Vegas Winter Meetings are here, but who's bidding?

The Harper-Vegas Winter Meetings are here, but who's bidding?
LAS VEGAS - It's been circled on the calendar for years, this perfect confluence of baseball's signature offseason event, Bryce Harper's first foray into free agency and everything coming together on the Las Vegas Strip, just down the street from Harper's home. And after all that anticipation and speculation, it's finally time for this long-awaited spectacle to get underway. The Winter Meetings officially open for business today, and nobody's debating what the top story will be at the...

Racing Presidents application deadline

Racing Presidents application deadline
As we gear up for another Washington Nationals Baseball season, the Racing Presidents are training to be better than ever in 2019, and they are looking for new applicants to "run for office" and join the next class of Racing Presidents! Racing Presidents auditions will take place on Sunday, January 6 and the deadline to apply for a tryout is Saturday, December 15. Aspiring Presidents looking to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy, and Bill can find more information and apply here....

Nats head to Vegas having already filled most roster holes

Nats head to Vegas having already filled most roster holes
They've already signed the frontline starter they've coveted for a long time. They've upgraded the catching position with not one but two veteran additions. They've added two experienced late-inning relievers. And they've done all this before departing for the Winter Meetings. Which begs the question: Do the Nationals even need to go to Las Vegas this week? "You know I love the Winter Meetings," general manager Mike Rizzo said dismissively when asked the aforementioned question Friday...

Corbin on why he took a step forward in 2018

Corbin on why he took a step forward in 2018
Left-hander Patrick Corbin had a standout season pitching for the Diamondbacks in 2018. He demonstrated strength and durability, starting 33 games, winning 11 games and posting a career-best 3.15 ERA. He has started 32 or more games in four of his first six seasons. Corbin struck out a career-high 246 batters in 2018. He said he realized that off-speed pitches were becoming very effective after strategizing with Diamondbacks hitters. "I've learned a lot through talking with our hitters,"...