The Nationals added another piece to their ever-changing infield puzzle this afternoon, signing the versatile Starlin Castro to a two-year, $12 million contract that doesn't prevent them from continuing to pursue star third baseman Josh Donaldson. The deal, which is pending a physical, was confirmed by a source familiar with the terms after first being reported by The Athletic. Castro, 29, is a four-time All-Star who first made a name for himself as the Cubs' potential long-term shortstop,...

The countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training has replaced the ball dropping in Times Square. This one is better because it doesn't require adults to stake out a spot for 18 hours and wear diapers. The Orioles' first official report date is Feb. 11, following by position players five days later. But the Sarasota, Fla., complex isn't sitting empty. There's going to be activity next week that leads into spring training. The team is holding another minicamp that features...

Will Harris could've let the memory of Game 7 linger, could've decided the best way to forget about the championship-changing home run he surrendered was to get as far away from the two teams that were involved in that moment. But that's not Harris' style. When the Nationals came calling this winter, and certainly when they offered a three-year, $24 million deal to the man who gave up the homer that won them the World Series, he didn't hesitate to embrace the idea. "Everybody I talked to...

Fredi González hadn't heard from or considered the Orioles before informing Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill in late September that he wanted to pursue other opportunities beyond serving as the team's third base coach. "It had nothing to do with the Orioles," he said. The phone calls that followed had everything to do with González joining the staff as major league coach, the penultimate hire after the Orioles started out with three vacancies. Friendships, proximity...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a three-year contract with right-handed pitcher Will Harris on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Harris, 35, joins the Nationals after going 4-1 with four saves and a 1.50 ERA in 68 games for the Houston Astros in 2019. He struck out 62 batters, walked 14 and posted a .196 opponents' batting average in his eighth Major League season. Harris' 1.50 ERA (10 ER/60.0 IP) led American...

Try to forget for a moment the name of the reliever the Nationals just signed, who he previously pitched for and what happened the last time he took the mound. Instead, just look at his numbers over the last five seasons and how he ranks among the 119 big league relievers who have made at least 200 appearances during that time frame: * 2.36 ERA, third best (behind Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman) * 0.987 WHIP, fourth best (behind Kenley Jansen, Roberto Osuna and Andrew Miller) * 2.72 FIP,...

In their quest to fix the most notable hole in an otherwise talented and deep roster, the Nationals have signed the veteran reliever who gave up the home run that propelled them to their first World Series title only nine weeks ago. Will Harris, the former Astros right-hander who threw the pitch that Howie Kendrick clanked off the foul pole at Minute Maid Park in Game 7, has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with the Nationals, a source familiar with the terms confirmed tonight. The...

It is a fair and reasonable question to ask about Orioles left-hander John Means: After he had such a strong 2019 season, will he regress next season? What will it take to keep him performing at such a high level? Means went 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.135 WHIP and finished second in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. He made the All-Star team, going 7-4 with a 2.50 ERA in the first half. The last O's starter with a better season-long ERA was Wei-Yin Chen at 3.34 in...

The Orioles must reach agreement with their remaining arbitration-eligible players in exactly one week or the sides will exchange salary figures. Hearings will be scheduled between Feb. 3-21. Communication could be cut off until the date arrives. It doesn't appear that the Orioles have made any progress in signing outfielder/first baseman Trey Mancini, infielder Hanser Alberto or relievers Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro. Negotiations were put on hold during the Winter Meetings in San Diego...

Happy new year! It's a brand-new year, and even though we're basking in the achievement of a World Series victory - and will be for some time - the Nationals are not too far from getting down to the business of baseball again. By mid-February, pitchers and catchers will report to FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., for spring training. Position players will follow (at least those who don't report early) and workouts will commence. So in the theme of all things new,...