New Nationals second baseman Starlin Castro met with the media via conference call Tuesday, and the veteran said he had realized how good the Nats were going to be while playing 19 games against them last season. With his season over in Miami, Castro then was able to become a fan of the team as the Nats battled the Astros for the world title. "I saw every game with them at home and I root for them," said the former Miami Marlin. "I didn't know I was going to sign with them, but I root for...

Does the José Iglesias signing, which was announced yesterday, remove some of the uncertainty over the Orioles roster on opening day? Of course. A new shortstop was a high priority and projections with Richie Martin at the position felt like he had become an offseason placeholder. He's going to play at Camden Yards in 2020. Maybe it's in April, maybe it's later. Maybe it's in a utility role. But it's going to happen. The Orioles had to decide which shortstop to sign and how much to give...

Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias doesn't know whether Richie Martin, last year's shortstop, is ticketed for Triple-A or will break camp in a utility role. There are too many days leading into the opener. Too many variables. Elias suggested a few possibilities that are tied to the signing of veteran shortstop José Iglesias, the one certainty being how Martin is going to benefit from any arrangement. "I think (the signing) is going to be good for him and his...

The Orioles created a spot for shortstop José Iglesias today on the 40-man roster by designating pitcher Eric Hanhold for assignment. The Iglesias deal is official. The Hanhold days might be numbered. Iglesias agreed to terms yesterday on a one-year deal that guarantees $3 million and can inflate to $6 million if the Orioles pick up his 2021 option. He receives $2.5 million this season, confirmed yesterday by an industry source, with the other $500,000 coming via a buyout. The infield is...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed INF José Iglesias to a one-year contract for the 2020 season, with a club option for 2021. Iglesias, 30, appeared in 146 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season, making 136 starts at shortstop. He hit .288/.318/.407 (145-for-504) with a career-high 11 home runs, 62 runs scored, and 59 RBI. Iglesias recorded an average of 7.57 PA/K (530 PA/70 K), the sixth-highest average in the National League. For his career, he has averaged 8.23 PA/K, the...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with infielder Starlin Castro on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Castro, 29, joins the Nationals after setting career marks with 22 home runs and 86 RBI with the Miami Marlins in 2019. He hit .270 with 31 doubles, four triples, 28 walks, 68 runs scored, a .300 on-base percentage and a .436 slugging percentage in his 10th Major League season. A four-time...

Infielder/outfielder Cole Freeman has put together two of the most consistent seasons in his first two campaigns in the Nationals organization. Along the way, Freeman has proven his ability to excel as the level of competition intensified. In his first season out of LSU in 2018, Freeman played in 122 games with low Single-A Hagerstown, slashing .266/.354/.371 with 32 doubles, three triples, three homers, 26 stolen bases and 43 RBIs. The next season, he was even better. In 2019 at high Single-A...

The Nationals bullpen, way back on July 30, 2019, was a mess. Sean Doolittle was beginning to show signs of fatigue from his excessive (but necessary) workload through the season's first four months. Fernando Rodney was his setup man and occasional fill-in closer. Wander Suero was pitching nearly every night. The rest of the unit included Tanner Rainey, Javy Guerra, Tony Sipp, Matt Grace and Michael Blazek. So Mike Rizzo, as he has been forced to do more than once during his tenure as general...

The Orioles filled one box on their to-do list yesterday when they agreed on a contract with free agent shortstop José Iglesias. The former Red Sox, Tiger and Red got a one-year deal for $3 million with a club option for 2021 at $3 million, although the deal has not yet been officially announced by the team. The deal provides the club a plus defender at short and you have to like the terms. It's a lower-dollar deal but also provides shortstop protection for two seasons if they want to bring...

The Nationals have found themselves this year's left-handed first baseman. Eric Thames, who averaged 24 homers and an .848 OPS the last three seasons for the Brewers, has agreed to terms on a contract with the Nats that guarantees $4 million, a source familiar with the with deal confirmed. Thames, who must pass a physical before the deal is official, will earn a $3 million salary this year, with a $1 million buyout of a mutual option for 2021 likely to be enacted after the season. Thus the...