nationals

After surprising season, will Albers fit into Nats' 2018 plans?

November 10, 2017, 11:27am

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Matt Albers, perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT ALBERS Age on opening day 2018: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, January 2017 MLB service time: 10 years, 141 days 2017 salary: $1.15 million Contract status: Free agent in 2018 2017 stats: 7-2, 1.62 ERA, 63 G, 2 SV, 61 IP, 35 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 6 HR, 17 BB, 63 SO,...

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Should Nationals try to re-sign Kintzler, keep "Law Firm" together?

November 09, 2017, 6:40pm

Nationals

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Brandon Kintzler, who excelled in a setup role after his July 31 acquisition from the Twins. PLAYER REVIEW: BRANDON KINTZLER Age on opening day 2018: 33 How acquired: Traded from Twins for Tyler Watson and international bonus slot money, July 2017 MLB service time: 6 years, 3 days 2017 salary: $2.925 million Contract status: Free agent in 2018 2017 stats: 4-3, 3.03...

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Murphy wins second straight Silver Slugger Award

November 09, 2017, 1:35pm

Nationals

Murphy wins second straight Silver Slugger Award

Daniel Murphy won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award this evening, deemed once again the best offensive second baseman in the National League. Murphy was the only Nationals player to win a Silver Slugger this season, despite dominant offensive performances by several teammates. Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon, though, lost out at their respective positions to Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, respectively, while Bryce Harper's case was hurt by the 6 1/2 weeks he spent on the...

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Nats pitching prospect spotlight: RHP Gabe Klobosits

November 09, 2017, 3:37pm

Nationals

Nats pitching prospect spotlight: RHP Gabe Klobosits

On a scheduled off-day during the Nationals' National League Division Series matchup against the Cubs in early October, a few of the Nats' young pitching prospects got to pitch batting practice at the club's top hitters. One of those prospects was right-hander Gabe Klobosits out of Auburn University. A 2017 36th-round selection, Klobosits, 22, is a big dude, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 270 lbs. In his first pro season by way of Katy, Texas, he went an impressive 1-0 with a 1.47 ERA in 20...

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Nats add three more to staff, including pitching coach Lilliquist

November 09, 2017, 9:03am

Nationals

Nats add three more to staff, including pitching coach Lilliquist

The Nationals have hired Derek Lilliquist as pitching coach, Tim Bogar as first base coach and Joe Dillon as assistant hitting coach, adding two more experienced members to new manager Dave Martinez's staff plus another first-timer with ties to the organization. In announcing the additions of Lilliquist, Bogar and Dillon along with the previously reported hiring of Chip Hale (bench coach), Bob Henley (third base coach) and Kevin Long (hitting coach), the Nationals have filled all but one...

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Daniel Murphy wins Silver Slugger

November 09, 2017, 5:05pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy was honored as the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner for National League second basemen on Thursday night, the second consecutive season in which Murphy has earned this prestigious award. Louisville Slugger made the announcement on MLB Network. Murphy, who won the first Silver Slugger Award of his career in 2016, is the third player in Nationals history (2005-present) to win the award multiple times - joining former shortstop Ian...

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Can key midseason pickup Madson do it again in 2018?

November 08, 2017, 7:08pm

Nationals

Can key midseason pickup Madson do it again in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Ryan Madson, whose midseason arrival helped transform the Nats' struggling bullpen into a strength. PLAYER REVIEW: RYAN MADSON Age on opening day 2018: 37 How acquired: Traded from Athletics with Sean Doolittle for Blake Treinen, Jesus Luzardo and Sheldon Neuse, July 2017 MLB service time: 12 years, 155 days 2017 salary: $7.5 million Contract status: Signed for...

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Nationals announce additions to major league coaching staff

November 09, 2017, 8:31am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced the majority of manager Dave Martinez's coaching staff on Thursday, making the additions of bench coach Chip Hale, pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, hitting coach Kevin Long, first base coach Tim Bogar, third base coach Bobby Henley, and assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon official. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Hale, 52, joins the Nationals staff after serving as the Oakland Athletics third...

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Hale joining Martinez's staff as bench coach (plus awards note)

November 08, 2017, 5:06pm

Nationals

Hale joining Martinez's staff as bench coach (plus awards note)

Former Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale will join new Nationals manager Dave Martinez's staff as bench coach, according to multiple published reports. Hale, 52, skippered the D-backs in 2015 and 2016, compiling a 148-176 record (.457) but never finishing higher than third in the National League West in his rookie season. He spent last season as the bench coach on manager Bob Melvin's A's staff and was that club's third base coach for the three seasons before he was hired to pilot the...

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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Kendrick's walk-off grand slam lifts Nats

November 08, 2017, 8:28am

Nationals

The Nationals were busy at the non-waiver trade deadline this season. Even with a double-digit lead in the National League East, general manager Mike Rizzo still needed to make moves to set the team up for the postseason. Obviously, the bullpen needed reinforcements, so Rizzo acquired Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson immediately after the All-Star break, and then also Brandon Kintzler right at the July 31 deadline. But while Nationals fans were clamoring for new relief arms, Rizzo made another...

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Nationals, baseball remember Roy Halladay

November 08, 2017, 2:14am

Nationals

A ton of remembrances today for the passing of two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, who died tragically in a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico near St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer remembered being motivated by watching how hard Halladay worked in spring training. My deepest condolences to the Halladay family during this difficult time. The world lost a great one too early today #RIP34 pic.twitter.com/njBOuXZ9FW -- Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer)...

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Baseball America: Nationals system strong at catcher and shortstop

November 08, 2017, 2:11am

Nationals

It's that time of year. Getting ready for Thanksgiving and then the holidays before New Year's Day as the weather turns colder and the days shorter. At least Daylight Savings Time has kicked in so the kids don't have to walk to the school bus stop in the dark. It's also time to get ready for our annual Nats Top 10 countdown via the expertise of Baseball America. Click here to review last week's Nationals top 10 prospects, as ranked by Baseball America. Carlos Collazo, national writer at...

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Who is your all-time favorite National?

November 06, 2017, 8:45am

Nationals

As part of his "10 questions for fans" series, my MASNsports.com colleague Steve Melewski recently asked his readers who is their all-time favorite Oriole, and I thought to myself, "Hey, this would also be a good question to pose to Nationals fans, too!" There is obviously a major historical difference in terms of longevity between the two franchises - the Orioles have called Baltimore home since 1954 and the Nationals have only called Washington, D.C., home since 2005 - but I think that...

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Rendon and Taylor come up short for first Gold Gloves

November 07, 2017, 4:30pm

Nationals

Rendon and Taylor come up short for first Gold Gloves

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon did not win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his work on defense in 2017. The Rockies' Nolan Arenado took the honor, winning his fifth Gold Glove on Tuesday night. Rendon did win a Silver Slugger Award in 2014. Rendon still improved on his fielding percentage by three points in 2017, getting to .979. He committed only seven errors in 334 chances. Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor came up short as well in his nomination for a Gold Glove. Taylor...

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Scherzer, Strasburg highlight finalists for NL Cy Young Award

November 06, 2017, 1:47pm

Nationals

Scherzer, Strasburg highlight finalists for NL Cy Young Award

The Nationals raced out to a big lead in the National League East and secured the division with outstanding starting pitching throughout the season. The leaders in the starting rotation for the Nats were Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. The pair has been rewarded as finalists for the NL Cy Young Award, announced tonight by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on MLB Network. But Dusty Baker was left out of the top three for NL Manager of the Year. Scherzer won the Cy Young last...

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Strasburg's Cy Young consideration a significant milestone

November 07, 2017, 2:33am

Nationals

Strasburg's Cy Young consideration a significant milestone

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg took a significant step forward in 2017. The Baseball Writers' Association of America agreed it was, and arguably could be, the best season of his career. On Monday night, Strasburg was named one of three finalists for the NL Cy Young Award, alongside Nationals teammate Max Scherzer and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. The winners will be announced Nov. 15. Strasburg received consideration for the honor in 2014, finishing ninth in the balloting, but never has...

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Wieters exercises $10.5 million option, will return to Nationals

November 05, 2017, 5:19am

Nationals

Matt Wieters will remain with the Nationals for a second season. The veteran catcher has exercised his $10.5 million player option, a source familiar with the decision confirmed, ensuring he'll remain a member of the Nationals for 2018 on the heels of a disappointing debut season in Washington. Wieters' decision, which had to be made over the weekend, had become expected in recent weeks. When he initially signed with the Nationals a week into spring training, he was hoping to re-establish his...

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Victor Robles MVP of Fall Stars Game (plus AFL update)

November 06, 2017, 4:31am

Nationals

Victor Robles MVP of Fall Stars Game (plus AFL update)

Outfielder Victor Robles continues to impress in different settings, demonstrating his advanced skill set during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday night Robles won MVP honors in lifting the East past the West All-Stars 4-2 at Salt River Fields. He went 1-for-3 with a walk, stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI. Robles opened the game in the bottom of the first with a walk and a stolen base. Down 2-1, his RBI single in the eighth brought home the tying...

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Doolittle seized closer's role and now expects to keep it long-term

November 03, 2017, 1:09pm

Nationals

Doolittle seized closer's role and now expects to keep it long-term

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Sean Doolittle, who was acquired in July to help fix the Nats bullpen and wound up excelling as closer. PLAYER REVIEW: SEAN DOOLITTLE Age on opening day 2018: 31 How acquired: Traded from Athletics with Ryan Madson for Blake Treinen, Jesus Luzardo and Sheldon Neuse MLB service time: 5 years, 122 days 2017 salary: $2.63 million Contract status: Signed for $4.38...

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How will Roark bounce back from an erratic season?

November 03, 2017, 7:54am

Nationals

How will Roark bounce back from an erratic season?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Tanner Roark, who labored throughout the first half of the season but then found himself again down the stretch. PLAYER REVIEW: TANNER ROARK Age on opening day 2018: 31 How acquired: Acquired from Rangers with Ryan Tatusko for Cristian Guzman, July 2010 MLB service time: 4 years, 55 days 2017 salary: $4.315 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2018,...