nationals

Nats expect healthy Eaton to be year-long force in 2018

October 26, 2017, 7:28pm

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Adam Eaton, who impressed in his first month with the Nats before suffering a season-ending knee injury. PLAYER REVIEW: ADAM EATON Age on opening day 2018: 29 How acquired: Traded from White Sox for Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo LÃ³pez and Dane Dunning, December 2016 MLB service time: 5 years, 30 days 2017 salary: $4 million Contract status: Signed for $6 million in...

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Cards hire Maddux; Rendon and Taylor Gold Glove finalists

October 26, 2017, 12:29pm

Nationals

Cards hire Maddux; Rendon and Taylor Gold Glove finalists

In electing last week not to bring back Dusty Baker as manager, the Nationals also informed their entire coaching staff their fates would not be determined until a new skipper was hired. Thus, those six men were free to talk to other clubs in the interim and pursue any opportunities made available to them. Today, Mike Maddux seized an opportunity. The Nationals' popular pitching coach of the last two seasons has taken that role with the Cardinals, ensuring his former club will have another...

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Nats prospects head for winter league play

October 26, 2017, 11:35am

Nationals

Nats prospects head for winter league play

It is winter league time of year, even as the World Series heads toward Game 3. Winter league ball has always been a very important part of a baseball player's continued evolution and a valued experience that can sometimes be that step a player needs to complete his game. Several Nationals prospects are hoping this experience now will help secure spots for 2018. Michael A. Taylor talked about how important his winter league play was to helping him see, time and hit breaking pitches as he...

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Suddenly available, Girardi could be in mix for Nationals job

October 26, 2017, 8:15am

Nationals

If the Nationals want an accomplished manager with postseason success already on his resume, one of the biggest names out there just became available in surprising fashion. Joe Girardi, who won the 2009 World Series and three more playoff series for the Yankees since, was let go this morning by the club that employed him the last 10 seasons, immediately making the 53-year-old the hottest managerial candidate on the open market. Whether that makes him the hottest candidate for the Nats' open...

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Can Nats convince Kendrick to return as bench player in 2018?

October 25, 2017, 9:22pm

Nationals

Can Nats convince Kendrick to return as bench player in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Howie Kendrick, a trade deadline acquisition who delivered for two months but then saw little action in the playoffs. PLAYER REVIEW: HOWIE KENDRICK Age on opening day 2018: 34 How acquired: Traded from Phillies for McKenzie Mills, July 2017 MLB service time: 11 years, 91 days 2017 salary: $10 million Contract status: Free agent 2017 stats: 91 G, 334 PA, 305 AB, 40...

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After seven years with Nats, Werth now faces uncertain future

October 24, 2017, 8:23pm

Nationals

After seven years with Nats, Werth now faces uncertain future

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Jayson Werth, whose seventh (and likely final) season in D.C. didn't go the way he hoped it would. PLAYER REVIEW: JAYSON WERTH Age on opening day 2018: 38 How acquired: Signed as free agent, Dec. 2010 MLB service time: 14 years, 102 days 2017 salary: $21 million Contract status: Free agent. (Nats will be paying him $10 million in deferred salary in 2018.) 2017...

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Breakthrough season changed Nats' outlook on Taylor

October 23, 2017, 8:53pm

Nationals

Breakthrough season changed Nats' outlook on Taylor

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Michael A. Taylor, who for the third straight year was given a chance to play every day and finally made the most of it. PLAYER REVIEW: MICHAEL A. TAYLOR Age on opening day 2018: 27 How acquired: Sixth-round pick, 2009 draft MLB service time: 3 years, 10 days 2017 salary: $557,900 Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2018. Free agent in 2021. 2017 stats: 118 G,...

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Single-A Hagerstown recaps: Perkins, Sharp, Noll, Kieboom, Soto

October 24, 2017, 7:56pm

Nationals

Single-A Hagerstown recaps: Perkins, Sharp, Noll, Kieboom, Soto

Center fielder Blake Perkins made nice strides in 2017. The 21-year-old hit .297 down the stretch for low Single-A Hagerstown. His slash line was .255/.354/.378. His 31 steals were sixth overall in the South Atlantic League. In 129 games, Perkins collected 27 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 48 RBIs. "Blake Perkins is a guy that sets up well for me," said Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson. "He did a great job all year long. He stole a bunch of bags and really did a great job in...

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Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search

October 23, 2017, 1:17pm

Nationals

Nats begin contacting candidates, hoping for quick search

The Nationals have begun the search for a new manager, and they would prefer that search be a quick one. After informing Dusty Baker on Friday morning he wouldn't be retained despite division titles in each of his two seasons in Washington, the Nationals began to compile a list of potential candidates to replace the popular former skipper. They're now beginning the process of zeroing in on a handful of top candidates from that list and beginning to reach out to some for a first round of...

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After eventful 2017, Harper now heads into contract year

October 22, 2017, 4:22pm

Nationals

After eventful 2017, Harper now heads into contract year

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Bryce Harper, who was on track for another MVP award until his scary knee injury in August. PLAYER REVIEW: BRYCE HARPER Age on opening day 2018: 25 How acquired: First-round pick, 2010 draft MLB service time: 5 years, 159 days 2017 salary: $13.625 million Contract status: Signed for $21.625 million in 2018. Free agent in 2019. 2017 stats: 111 G, 492 PA, 420 AB, 95...

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Cora reportedly out of the mix for Nationals job

October 21, 2017, 9:19pm

Nationals

One of the Nationals' preferred candidates for their now-vacant managerial position appears to already be headed elsewhere. And even if he's not, the Nats would have to wait until the end of the World Series to hire him. Alex Cora has been on the Nationals' radar, but the popular Astros bench coach already interviewed with the Red Sox and is expected to be named Boston's new manager once Houston's season is over, according to reports by The Athletic and NBC Sports Boston. The Astros'...

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Nats AFL prospect: 3B Kelvin Gutierrez

October 23, 2017, 3:29am

Nationals

The Nationals have been pleased with the progress of third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez. Despite an injury in 2017, they thought so much of him they placed him on their Arizona Fall League entrant, the Mesa Solar Sox. 3B Kelvin Gutierrez Age: 23 6-3, 185 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Pimentel, Dominican Republic Round 5 (2016) 2017 season: POT, GCL Gutierrez played well for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nats and Single-A Potomac this season. The 23-year-old slashed .278/.340/.408 in 68...

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Nats' two-year managerial policy leaves them in a familiar place

October 20, 2017, 9:22pm

Nationals

Nats' two-year managerial policy leaves them in a familiar place

Let's for a moment try to view the Nationals' managerial situation in a vacuum. Block out past history and reputation of both the organization and of Dusty Baker. Forget about dollar amounts. Don't consider who else might be available for the job right now. Baker's Nationals won 95 games and a division title in 2016, then lost a heartbreaker of a five-game National League Division Series to the Dodgers, with all three losses in the series coming by one run. Baker's team then won 97 games...

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Looking at some possible successors to Dusty Baker

October 20, 2017, 12:47pm

Nationals

Looking at some possible successors to Dusty Baker

With Dusty Baker out as manager after leading the Nationals to back-to-back National League East titles and consecutive first-round playoff departures, one question is on the lips of Nats fans: Who's next? Do the Nats turn to a veteran field boss, someone who's shown a propensity for getting teams deep into the postseason? Do they focus their attentions on someone whose personality is a good match for a star-filled clubhouse? Do they eschew an old-school candidate for someone more cutting...

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Rizzo: Managerial change was "baseball decision," not financial

October 20, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals

Rizzo: Managerial change was "baseball decision," not financial

Dusty Baker's unsettled contract situation hovered over the Nationals all season, but throughout it all, both Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo expressed confidence not only that both sides wanted the manager to return in 2018 but also that a deal was likely to get done once the season ended. Only two weeks ago, as his team prepared for the National League Division Series, Rizzo continued to express that same confidence, even though they had not yet engaged in contract negotiations. "We...

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Murphy undergoes successful knee surgery

October 20, 2017, 11:43am

Nationals

Murphy undergoes successful knee surgery

The Nationals announced this afternoon that second baseman Daniel Murphy underwent successful surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee. The club said Murphy's rehabilitation will begin immediately and "progress throughout the offseason." Specifically, Murphy underwent a debridement and microfracture surgery to repair damage to the articular cartilage in his right knee. Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed the procedure. The 32-year-old Murphy had another outstanding season for the...

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Contracts of entire Nats coaching staff won't be renewed

October 20, 2017, 10:36am

Nationals

Contracts of entire Nats coaching staff won't be renewed

It's not just manager Dusty Baker who will not return to the Nationals next season. The contracts of his entire coaching staff will not be renewed, allowing for whoever replaces Baker to choose his own coaches. Pitching coach Mike Maddux, hitting coach Rick Schu, bench coach Chris Speier, first base coach Davey Lopes, third base coach Bobby Henley, bullpen coach Dan Firova and assistant hitting coach Jacque Jones won't be retained, the team announced Friday. President of baseball operations...

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Baker out as Nationals manager after two seasons

October 20, 2017, 8:37am

Nationals

Dusty Baker is out as Nationals manager, leaving the franchise yet again looking for a new clubhouse and dugout leader. The club made the surprising announcement this afternoon, electing not to bring back Baker, who had won back-to-back National League East titles and an average of 96 wins per season. The 68-year-old Baker, whose teams lost in Game 5 of the National League Division Series each of his two seasons, was not under contract beyond 2017. "The Lerner family, on behalf of the entire...

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After MVP-caliber season, time to think long-term with Rendon

October 18, 2017, 11:31am

Nationals

After MVP-caliber season, time to think long-term with Rendon

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Anthony Rendon, who completed an elite all-around season that made him a legitimate MVP candidate. PLAYER REVIEW: ANTHONY RENDON Age on opening day 2018: 27 How acquired: First-round pick, 2011 draft MLB service time: 4 years, 130 days 2017 salary: $5.8 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2018. Free agent in 2020. 2017 stats: 147 G, 605 PA, 508 AB, 81...

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Can Nats commit to Wieters as their No. 1 catcher in 2018?

October 19, 2017, 11:52am

Nationals

Can Nats commit to Wieters as their No. 1 catcher in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Matt Wieters, who struggled in his first season in D.C. but was well-liked by the pitching staff. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT WIETERS Age on opening day 2018: 31 How acquired: Signed as free agent, February 2017 MLB service time: 8 years, 129 days 2017 salary: $10.5 million Contract status: Holds $10.5 million player option for 2018. Free agent in 2019. 2017 stats: 123 G,...