SAN DIEGO - The Nationals won the World Series despite boasting - if that's the proper word for it - the majors' worst bullpen during the regular season. They managed to pull that remarkable feat off thanks to two key developments along the way: The acquisition of Daniel Hudson at the July 31 trade deadline, and the willingness of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin to make a combined seven relief appearances in between their respective starts during the postseason. Somehow, it...

SAN DIEGO - Angels manager Joe Maddon likes the idea of quickening the pace of the game. He doesn't like the idea of making relievers pitch to three batters or finish an inning before coming out of the game, a rule that Commissioner Rob Manfred might implement for 2020. "I don't like it. I haven't liked it from the beginning," Maddon said during his Winter Meetings press conference. "I don't quite get it. I'm all for messing with the pace of the game. I think that's important. "The...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with catcher Yan Gomes and a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2021 with infielder Howie Kendrick on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Gomes, 32, returns to the Nationals after hitting .223 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 RBI, 38 walks, two stolen bases and 36 runs scored in his first season with Washington in 2019. From August 18 through the end...

SAN DIEGO - While Stephen Strasburg was motivated to get his new deal with the Nationals done early this offseason, Anthony Rendon appears to be more willing to let the free agency process play out over the course of the winter. If Rendon somehow winds up rejoining the Nationals, though, Strasburg may play a key role in making it happen. The World Series MVP and new recipient of the largest contract ever given to a pitcher has been actively trying to convince Rendon to return to Washington...

SAN DIEGO - The annual Scott Boras media scrum at the Winter Meetings was held earlier than usual this week, with the super-agent making himself available at noon today to provide updates on clients Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon. He stood in front of a backdrop bearing his agency's logo. A nice touch in 2019. Boras fielded a question pertaining to Orioles first baseman Chris Davis about 30 minutes into the session, as he's done in the past. His response today was similar to the one he...

SAN DIEGO - Mike Elias isn't tuning out fans who vent over a 108-loss season and two trades of popular players that followed. Who demand reasons why they should buy tickets next season and support a team that is moving backward at a pace that could park it in the International League if the brakes aren't applied. He listens and he understands. He just can't let it influence how he conducts business. Which brings us to his first media session yesterday afternoon at the Manchester Grand Hyatt...

SAN DIEGO - It's not nearly as big a deal as the others they've given out so far this winter, but the Nationals did make sure they're bringing back yet another member of their World Series roster who could have been headed elsewhere. The Nats agreed to terms with reliever Javy Guerra on a minor league contract for 2020 late Monday night, according to a source familiar with the signing. The deal would pay the veteran right-hander $1 million if he makes the opening day roster, with more money...

SAN DIEGO - Stephen Strasburg always wanted to go home to the West Coast. He wasn't an East Coast guy. He didn't like humidity, and his stats in hot and sticky weather would back up that claim. He was only a National because that's the organization that drafted him in 2009, not because he chose to play in Washington. Surely he'd want out as soon as the opportunity arose. Oh, and he wilted under pressure and couldn't be trusted to come through in a big game. Remember when that was the...

The Orioles are still adding young pitchers. They've now acquired six in the last week. It started with getting lefty Easton Lucas from Miami for Jonathan Villar. It continued when they got four right-handers from the Los Angeles Angels for Dylan Bundy. In that deal they added Isaac Mattson, Kyle Bradish, Kyle Brnovich and Zach Peek. On Monday at the Winter Meetings they claimed right-hander Marcos Diplán on waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Diplan never pitched in a game for Detroit, either...

SAN DIEGO - The interviews to find a replacement for Orioles bullpen coach John Wasdin are carrying over from Baltimore to the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde involved in the process. Hyde's inclusion is important, of course, since the hire will be working on his coaching staff. He had a voice in Fredi González's recent selection as major league coach and their ties to the Marlins organization made it a...