Given how effective he was for them last season - when healthy and when used strategically - Jeremy Hellickson always loomed as an enticing pitching option for the Nationals to bring back in 2019. Sure enough, the two sides have worked out a deal to reunite. And more than a month earlier than they worked out last year's deal. Hellickson has agreed to terms on a one-year, major league contract that guarantees him $1.3 million, with an additional $4 million possible via incentives, according to...

One of the offseason trends for the Orioles involves the hiring of college coaches to minor league positions, and the announcements coming via their Twitter accounts. Social media working its magic again. The latest confirmation arrived Tuesday night, with Matt Trate tweeting that "my family and I are looking forward to the next chapter with @Orioles as I have accepted a position as a MiLB hitting coach." Trate had been working as associate head baseball coach/recruiting coordinator at...

MLB Network handed out plaudits that include a couple of Nationals that are likely to be manning the outfield at Nats Park this season. In a recent segment called "Right Now!" MLB Network ranked Juan Soto as the sixth-rated left fielder in the their Top 10. MLB Network analyst and 11-year big league veteran Eric Byrnes said of Soto: "You could put him No. 1 and I'm not gonna argue, that's how good of a season he had. When he came up, he was doing things that you don't see 10-year seasoned...

As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the infield ... Despite significant changes across just about every other part of the roster, the Nationals' infield returns almost entirely intact in 2019 - with one notable exception at second base. Daniel Murphy, one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, has moved on after spending most of the last three years in D.C. terrorizing...

In June 2012, current Orioles general manager Mike Elias was a key contributor to what was a strong draft for the Houston Astros. It was one that got them shortstop Carlos Correa and pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. for their first two picks. Houston's fifth pick in that 2012 draft was a California high school infielder named Rio Ruiz. He played for the Astros until they traded him to Atlanta in January 2015. During the Winter Meetings this December, the Orioles claimed Ruiz on waivers from...

The inviting storylines awaiting the media at spring training, less than a week before it begins, include the competitions at third base and right field and behind the plate. Other candidates can be tossed into the mix as executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias attempts to swing a few trades and/or snatches up a couple of free agents lingering on another sluggish market. One-year deals become more attractive to players as we move through February. Manager Brandon Hyde can figure...

Fans of all ages can fully immerse themselves in the spring training experience a week from Saturday at Sarasota Springfest at Ed Smith Stadium. The chance to see pitchers and catchers going through their workouts in the sunshine in February has always drawn fans, but from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, they can do more than watch. The day will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the Orioles' spring training home, and the opportunity to have a catch on the field, take part in a "Pitch...

The Orioles invite fans of all ages to celebrate the start of Spring Training at Sarasota Springfest, a free family-friendly event at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday, February 16. Along with watching Orioles pitchers and catchers practice on the back fields, fans can also enjoy games and interactive activities in the stadium from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. The fourth annual Sarasota Springfest event will feature a question and answer session with Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins at approximately...

As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the catching corps ... The Nationals didn't get enough production from their catchers the last two seasons. Of this, no one can deny. Matt Wieters, well-liked as he was by members of the pitching staff and the rest of the clubhouse, simply could not hit well enough to justify as much playing time as he received. Trouble was, none of the Nats'...

Give Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin credit for being smart enough to know that while he had a strong 2018 season, hitters won't care about that when they face him in 2019. And Akin did have one impressive 2018 season. For Double-A Bowie, he went 14-7 with an ERA of 3.27 in 25 starts. Over 137 2/3 innings, he allowed 114 hits with 58 walks, 142 strikeouts and a .225 batting average against. Akin was named co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Orioles, winning the Jim Palmer...