nationals

Martinez vows to "push the envelope" in second year

December 01, 2018, 10:28am

As he prepared for his first season as a big league manager, Davey Martinez scanned the Nationals roster and saw names of players with considerable experience and considerable success up and down the list. So Martinez's instinct was to stay hands off, to trust that these players knew how to prepare and didn't need a new staff to come in and reinvent the wheel. As he now prepares for his second season - on the heels of a disappointing first season, mind you - Martinez has come to a different...

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Robles banking on return of his power stroke

December 01, 2018, 9:10am

Nationals

Robles banking on return of his power stroke

There's a good chance Victor Robles will be patrolling center field for the Nationals in 2019, and if that happens, Robles expects that the powerful stroke that was sapped by an early-season hyperextended left elbow will return. Manager Davey Martinez has hinted at that and hitting coach Kevin Long expects that offensive surge to occur, too. But hearing Robles talk at Nationals Winterfest about the return of his power stroke makes the possibility of losing Bryce Harper to free agency a little...

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Gomes surprised but excited by trade to Nationals

December 01, 2018, 8:16am

Nationals

When he got a call Friday afternoon from Indians general manager Chris Antonetti saying a trade was in the works, Yan Gomes assumed it involved one of a couple teams. The Mets and Dodgers both had been linked to him in recent days, so he figured he was headed in one of those directions. So what did the 31-year-old catcher think when Antonetti told him he was heading to the Nationals? "To be honest, I got taken back a little bit," Gomes said today during a conference call with reporters...

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Winterfest returns to Nationals Park

November 30, 2018, 7:30pm

Nationals

It's a couple weeks earlier than in previous years, and it's back on South Capitol Street for the first time in nearly a decade, but it's time again for Winterfest. The Nationals' annual offseason gathering will have a different look and feel this year, with the event being held the first weekend in December and at Nationals Park after a steady run later in the month at the Washington Convention Center. Among the new activities this year are opportunities for fans to hit in the Nationals'...

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Nats acquire Gomes for Rodriguez, two others (updated)

November 30, 2018, 1:05pm

Nationals

Nats acquire Gomes for Rodriguez, two others (updated)

The Nationals finalized a trade tonight that will bring All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to Washington in exchange for right-hander Jefry Rodriguez, minor league outfielder Daniel Johnson and a player to be named, completing a dramatic, 11-day overhaul of their catching corps. Having just signed veteran Kurt Suzuki to a two-year, $10 million deal last week, the Nationals went out and acquired another experienced catcher in Gomes, who had been the subject of trade speculation in recent days, though...

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Nats agree to terms with SolÃs, tender contracts to six others

November 30, 2018, 12:48pm

Nationals

Nats agree to terms with SolÃs, tender contracts to six others

The Nationals aren't ready to part ways with Sammy SolÃs just yet. Faced with an 8 p.m. EST deadline to tender a contract to the injury plagued and erratic reliever, the Nationals elected not only to bring SolÃs back in 2019 and give him another chance to right his ship following an especially frustrating season but to sign him right now. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $850,000 deal, according to a source familiar with the terms. The Nationals tendered contracts to all six of their...

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Nationals acquire catcher Yan Gomes

December 01, 2018, 2:53am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired All-Star catcher Yan Gomes from the Cleveland Indians on Friday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jefry Rodriguez, outfielder Daniel Johnson and a player to be named later. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gomes, 31, is under team control through the 2021 season. He hit .266 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs, 48 RBI, 21 walks and 52 runs scored in 112 games for the Cleveland Indians in 2018. He led...

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How do the Nationals get better defensively in 2019?

November 28, 2018, 5:34pm

Nationals

There are any number of ways the Nationals need to get better on an individual basis, addressing specific needs at specific positions. But there's also a broader way the Nats need to get better, something that encompasses the entire roster. They need to be a better defensive ballclub. There's really no disputing this fact. Even though they boast an elite third baseman in Anthony Rendon, an above-average shortstop in Trea Turner ,and really athletic center fielders in Michael A. Taylor and...

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It's tender (or non-tender) decision day for the Nationals

November 29, 2018, 10:56am

Nationals

It's the final day of November, which means it's another deadline day in baseball's offseason, this one for tendering contracts. By 8 p.m. EST, all clubs must inform players who are eligible for arbitration (those with more than three and fewer than six years of big league service time, plus the top 22 percent of those with two years-plus service time) whether they will be offered a 2019 contract. Teams and players don't have to agree to any particular salary figures yet; there's still...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": No crystal ball required

November 26, 2018, 7:37am

Nationals

As we turn another page on the calendar, the hot stove is getting warmer. Will the Nationals have a shot at free agent starters Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel? Will they sign another catcher to spell 35-year-old Kurt Suzuki, who is now a Nat again? What's happening at second base? Does Screech's salary count toward the luxury tax? For the answers to these and other questions, you'll just have to stay tuned for the next episode of "As the Nats Turn." The team's past, on the other hand,...

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Nats facing plenty of competition for frontline starters

November 27, 2018, 8:21pm

Nationals

Nats facing plenty of competition for frontline starters

The Nationals have been aggressive in addressing some of their needs early this offseason, more aggressive than most teams. They acquired two relievers (Kyle Barraclough and Trevor Rosenthal) before the calendar even reached November. They signed a catcher (Kurt Suzuki) before any of the other top free agents at the position found a new home. Those were important moves, and all should help the Nationals in areas where they clearly needed help. But let's not kid ourselves here, because the...

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Will Nats' outfield defense be better if Harper moves on?

November 29, 2018, 2:45am

Nationals

Will Nats' outfield defense be better if Harper moves on?

It wasn't a great season for Bryce Harper defensively, but MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis cautions to not get too worked up about the phenom's numbers with a gloved hand. "What is a little odd to me is the defensive metrics fluctuate from year to year with the same guys," Callis said. "Like Harper, without looking at it, had horrific numbers (in 2018). I don't know if he will be back. But a couple of years ago, he wasn't bad at all (on defense)." One metric that measures fielding skill...

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Suzuki signing was smart - if Nats sign another catcher, too

November 26, 2018, 8:16pm

Nationals

Suzuki signing was smart - if Nats sign another catcher, too

It never fails. The Nationals go weeks without making any news, and then the moment I go on vacation they suddenly create headlines. So I can't say I was shocked when - just as I was packing my bags and preparing to head to the airport eight days ago - the first report of the Nats signing Kurt Suzuki emerged. Yes, it happened again. Thanks, as always, to Byron Kerr and Pete Kerzel for stepping in to cover the news and everything else that happened over the last week while I was relaxing and...

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What to make of radio silence in the Harper talks

November 24, 2018, 9:28am

Nationals

What to make of radio silence in the Harper talks

Earlier this month, during the GM meetings in Carlsbad, Calif., news surfaced that the Nationals had extended an offer worth $300 million over 10 years to free agent-to-be Bryce Harper late in the regular season. The offer reportedly contained no opt-outs for the slugger, and was summarily dismissed by Harper and his agent, Scott Boras. Since then, there's been a ton of chatter about where Harper might wind up when he signs what could be the most expensive free agent contract ever. Daily...

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MASN kicking off season of giving at Nats Winterfest

November 27, 2018, 7:24am

Nationals

MASN kicking off season of giving at Nats Winterfest

Just a few short days ago, we were sitting around a lovely Thanksgiving table setting with family and friends while shoveling turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all sorts of food into our mouths. What a beautiful, American tradition. And now, with Thanksgiving come and gone, we are officially settling into the holiday season, which means only one thing for Nationals fans: Winterfest! The Nats' annual weekend-long celebration of baseball and the holidays is back and earlier than ever!...

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News on four Nationals pitchers from Arizona Fall League

November 26, 2018, 8:25am

Nationals

MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis believes the three left-handers the Nationals sent to the Arizona Fall League could all be useful out of the bullpen going forward. Ben Braymer, Taylor Guilbeau and Jordan Mills pitched well in Arizona, playing a part in the Salt River Rafters reaching the title game. "Guilbeau has the best velocity out of any of them and probably the least control," Callis said. "Braymer had a great year, (being named) Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the organization. I...

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Some thoughts on Realmuto, Grandal and Ramos

November 23, 2018, 6:53am

Nationals

Some thoughts on Realmuto, Grandal and Ramos

If Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants a difference-maker behind the plate, Kurt Suzuki is going to be a backup catcher in 2019. Oh, Suzuki may still get to strap on the gear and catch 50 or 60 games, but banking on a 35-year-old to handle the game's most physically demanding position for 110 or more games is asking for a lot. So buckle up, make sure that your seatbacks and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions, and get ready for some turbulence as the Nationals attempt...

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With Suzuki in the fold, will the Nats stay out of Realmuto bidding?

November 23, 2018, 12:52am

Nationals

With Suzuki in the fold, will the Nats stay out of Realmuto bidding?

Newly reacquired catcher Kurt Suzuki returns to D.C. as the Nationals look to bounce back from a down year. They missed the postseason for the first time since 2015 and saw the Braves (including Suzuki) win the National League East. Now that he's back with the Nats, can Suzuki help them with his bat as well as his his game-calling and defense behind the plate? He just had two very good years with the bat for the Braves. Or are the Nats OK with average offense output from that spot in the order...

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Carter Kieboom has a good shot at Nats in 2019

November 24, 2018, 8:00am

Nationals

Carter Kieboom has a good shot at Nats in 2019

Shortstop Carter Kieboom advanced to Double-A in 2018 within the Nationals organization. The 2016 first-round selection was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League. His team, the Salt River Rafters, advanced to the title game. Kieboom got some playing time at second base for the first time in his professional career. He hit .295 with a .427 on-base percentage in the AFL over 21 games. Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said the organization wanted to get...

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Looking at Nationals' non-tender candidates

November 20, 2018, 5:26am

Nationals

Having passed Tuesday's deadline for adding players to the 40-man roster to protect them from being exposed to the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas next month, it's now time to take a look a possible non-tender candidates. For the uninitiated, major league clubs can choose to not offer a contract to an arbitration-eligible player - non-tender him - if they would rather risk losing the player to another club than paying him what he might earn through the arbitration process....