winterfest - Blog

Mike Rizzo: "I have no beef ... with Danny Espinosa"

December 11, 2016, 9:38am

Mike Rizzo said he had been working on a trade that would send Danny Espinosa to the Angels for the last week and that the deal that was finally consummated Saturday night wasn't a response to anything the infielder had said or demanded about his role with the Nationals in 2017. Espinosa was in position to lose his starting shortstop job after the Nationals traded for outfielder Adam Eaton on Wednesday, a move that in turn pushes Trea Turner to his natural position on the left side of the...

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Trade means Trea Turner finally has a defined position

December 11, 2016, 6:03am

Nationals

Trade means Trea Turner finally has a defined position

In a little more than a year, Trea Turner has gone from being a Padres prospect to a Nationals star, with an excruciating period of limbo in the middle as a player to be named. He went from a strong-armed shortstop to a center fielder learning the position on a fly, with a little time at second base in between. He went from a greenhorn at the bottom of the lineup for a non-playoff Nats team to an exciting leadoff hitter for a division champion that played in the postseason. Now, heading into...

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Espinosa traded to Angels for two minor league pitchers

December 10, 2016, 5:15pm

Nationals

Espinosa traded to Angels for two minor league pitchers

Danny Espinosa's long and often tumultuous tenure with the Nationals came to end Saturday night when the veteran infielder was traded to the Angels for a pair of minor league pitchers. Coming to Washington's farm system are 25-year-old right-handers Kyle McGowin and Austin Adams. McGowin, who was 9-14 with a 5.83 ERA in 27 combined starts between the Angels' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, was rated the organization's 20th-best prospect, according to MLB.com. Adams, who posted a 3.05 ERA...

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Norris confident in bounceback from "awful" 2016

December 10, 2016, 10:36am

Nationals

Norris confident in bounceback from "awful" 2016

Once he sensed the Padres were likely to trade him this winter, Derek Norris started thinking about potential destinations. One of them was Washington, a notion the 27-year-old catcher tried not to get too excited about, given the fact the Nationals had traded him away five years ago, that transaction coming 4 1/2 years after they originally drafted him. But when the call actually came last week, that he was returning to the Nationals organization as their starting catcher, Norris couldn't...

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Koda Glover battling back from torn labrum in hip

December 10, 2016, 9:39am

Nationals

Koda Glover battling back from torn labrum in hip

When hard-throwing Koda Glover burst onto the scene last summer, his unshakable demeanor and plus stuff immediately had people talking about him as a future Nationals closer. Never mind that he went from Single-A to the majors in less than a full season. Glover had a 2.63 ERA through his first 12 relief appearances before he hit a significant bump in the road. The eighth-round selection in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft struggled mightily in September, posting a 7.20 ERA in his final 10...

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"Flattered" by trade, Adam Eaton has enjoyed whirlwind week

December 10, 2016, 9:21am

Nationals

"Flattered" by trade, Adam Eaton has enjoyed whirlwind week

Adam Eaton knows the Nationals gave up a lot to acquire him. The club's new center fielder tried not to pay too much attention to the specifics of the blockbuster trade this week that brought him here and sent three elite prospects to the White Sox, but he knows the Nats thought highly enough of him to take the criticism that came with the deal. "I'm flattered," he said. "Coming into such a great organization that has won, and to be able to contribute, hopefully, as well as I have in the...

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New and familiar faces expected at Nationals Winterfest

December 09, 2016, 6:39pm

Nationals

The Winter Meetings were our first opportunity this week to get a much-needed baseball fix in December. Now comes the second opportunity: Nationals Winterfest. The club's annual fan festival takes place today and tomorrow at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and it will feature a few nice morsels of Nats winter cheer to fill you up before pitchers and catchers report for spring training in two months. For example, the two newest members of the roster are scheduled to attend. Adam...

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Murphy aims to prevent recurrence of leg problems

December 10, 2016, 7:13am

Nationals

Murphy aims to prevent recurrence of leg problems

The slow-to-heal upper left leg injury that limited Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy to three regular season at-bats after Sept. 17 - often referred to as a glute strain and possibly traced to a hamstring problem earlier in the season - may have been more serious than Murphy let on. Though he slashed .438/.545/.438 in the National League Division Series loss to the Dodgers, Murphy said Saturday he has been focusing his early offseason workouts on glute exercises and stabilization drills...

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MASN bringing spirit of giving to Nats Winterfest

December 04, 2016, 2:34pm

Nationals

MASN bringing spirit of giving to Nats Winterfest

There's no place like Nats Winterfest for the holidays! MASN is in the holiday spirit again this season. And you know what that means ... PRESENTS! We're giving you a ton of chances to win exclusive MASN Nationals prizes at our booth at Nats Winterfest, which will be held Dec. 10-11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In addition to signed jerseys, bats and baseballs from some of your favorite players, we're also bringing in new prizes for you to win! Swing by the MASN booth to...

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CareFirst Fan Challenge winner to face off against Scherzer at Nats Winterfest

December 02, 2016, 10:25am

Nationals

CareFirst Fan Challenge winner to face off against Scherzer at Nats Winterfest

Back in the dog days of summer, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield asked fans to challenge Nationals ace Max Scherzer to anything! Submissions for #IChallengeMax began pouring in to our Twitter account, ranging from cooking competitions to karaoke. And when it was all said and done, Scherzer selected to battle Nats fan Trey in a classic tailgate game ... cornhole! @masnNationals #IChallengeMax to a game of cornhole on my @Bharper3407 board. @Max_Scherzer pic.twitter.com/HA3M5AgZVZ -- Trey...

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A healthy Stephen Strasburg isn't focused on contract year

December 12, 2015, 9:02am

Nationals

A healthy Stephen Strasburg isn't focused on contract year

Stephen Strasburg battled through nagging injuries for much of last season, but emerged from two trips to the disabled list as one of the top pitchers in the majors down the stretch. The Nationals won eight of Strasburg's final 10 starts, while the right-hander went 6-2 with a 1.90 ERA, fanning 92 with just eight walks over 66 1/3 innings. A sprained left ankle in spring training coupled with a benign growth in his back bothered Strasburg's mechanics throughout the season. Speaking today at...

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After Tommy John, Aaron Barrett adds ankle surgery to his rehab

December 13, 2015, 11:36am

Nationals

After Tommy John, Aaron Barrett adds ankle surgery to his rehab

Late Sunday afternoon, with Jayson Werth sitting on his lap, Aaron Barrett came barreling down the cement floors of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on a motorized scooter. The two zoomed around batting cages and slides on their way to an autograph session while fans hurried to snap pictures. Though highly entertaining, it wasn't a skit planned for Winterfest. After a tough season of injuries, Werth is healthy. But Barrett needs the scooter after undergoing surgery to repair bone...

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Top prospect Lucas Giolito invited to spring training

December 13, 2015, 9:45am

Nationals

Top prospect Lucas Giolito invited to spring training

Last season, the Nationals starting rotation received a boost when 22-year-old right-hander Joe Ross made the jump from Double-A Harrisburg to majors. After an impressive rookie campaign - going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts - Ross is expected to find a permanent spot in the starting five in 2016. Now the countdown is on to Lucas Giolito's major league debut. The 21-year-old right-hander is ranked as the best pitching prospect in baseball. The Nationals drafted the 6-foot-6, 255-lb. pound...

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With rotation spot available, Cole adding weight and strength for long run

December 13, 2015, 8:07am

Nationals

With rotation spot available, Cole adding weight and strength for long run

The major league debut for right-hander A.J. Cole did not go as well as he might have envisioned. That night at Turner Field certainly did not demonstrate the capabilities the laser-throwing prospect had shown at the minor league level. In his April 28 debut at Atlanta, Cole registered two innings and allowed nine runs, four them earned on nine hits, with one walk, one strikeout on 55 pitches. "The way I look at it is it's good to get up there and get the feel for it. I went down and had a...

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Bryce Harper on contract talks and moving past the fight

December 13, 2015, 7:05am

Nationals

Bryce Harper on contract talks and moving past the fight

Bryce Harper strolled through the curtains into the makeshift media area at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sunday morning, and spoke in the nation's capital for the first time as the National League's Most Valuable Player at this weekend's Winterfest. "It was just very good for our family, the organization and the team," a humble Harper said about his honor. As phenomenal as Harper's record-breaking season was, it was not without a controversy. The slugger was involved in a...

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Veterans think Nationals can move past Papelbon-Harper fight distraction

December 12, 2015, 12:24pm

Nationals

Between mingling with fans, signing autographs and participating in game shows during Winterfest, Nationals players were shuffled through the bowels of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for media sessions. A common question posed to most was how the team deals with the fallout from Jonathan Papelbon's dugout brawl with Bryce Harper as the Nationals proceed into 2016. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has reportedly pursued other closers while attempting to deal Papelbon with no...

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Nats still talking to Rockies, Michael A. Taylor still working to improve

December 12, 2015, 10:57am

Nationals

Nats still talking to Rockies, Michael A. Taylor still working to improve

We've been home less than 48 hours from the Winter Meetings, but the rumors continue to swirl. The Nationals remain in contact with the Rockies about a trio of left-handed hitting outfielders, one of the areas that general manager Mike Rizzo specifically wanted to improve this offseason. That's not to say that veteran slugger Carlos Gonzalez, center fielder Charlie Blackmon or left fielder Corey Dickerson are being fitted for curly W caps, but that the teams continue to talk is proof that at...

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Rizzo disappointed Heyward passed on offer, talks Escobar trade and adding depth

December 12, 2015, 6:31pm

Nationals

Rizzo disappointed Heyward passed on offer, talks Escobar trade and adding depth

Outfielder Jason Heyward was the latest of the marquee free agents passing on a lucrative offer from the Nationals, instead signing with another ballclub. Like infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist, Heyward chose to take his talents to Wrigley Field next season. Right-hander Darren O'Day, the best reliever available on the free agent market, gave the Nats their first bit of bad news in free agency a week ago when he decided to stay with the Orioles. General manager Mike Rizzo was disappointed the...

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Mike Rizzo on Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon and new bullpen additions

December 12, 2015, 11:26am

Nationals

Mike Rizzo on Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon and new bullpen additions

The Nationals have attempted adding sexy pieces to their ballclub early this offseason, like their recent hot pursuit of free agent outfielder Jason Heyward. But general manager Mike Rizzo's biggest challenge over the winter months was overhauling a bullpen that stumbled mightily in a pennant race last season. So far, Rizzo has landed three relievers through free agency and two more via trade in the makeover. But the biggest decision facing Rizzo is how to work through the mess at the back...

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For Ryan Zimmerman, another new manager

December 12, 2015, 8:48am

Nationals

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman holds a unique distinction with the Nationals: He's played for every manager who has skippered the club in its 11 years. Zimmerman made his debut as a rookie in 2005, when Frank Robinson helmed the Nats, and the year after when the Hall of Fame slugger was unceremoniously ushered out of D.C. He was there for the rebuilding years under Manny Acta (2007-2009), the good and the bad under Jim Riggleman (2009-2011) and John McLaren's three-game interim stint after...