The Orioles haven't made any decisions regarding their minor league staffs with so much other work to be done, including the hiring of major league coaches to pair with new manager Brandon Hyde. Triple-A Norfolk doesn't have a manager after the Orioles decided to part ways with Ron Johnson. They could promote from within, perhaps elevating Gary Kendall from Double-A Bowie, or seek an outside hire. Pitching coach Mike Griffin remains under contract and could stay with the Tides or be...

It is a big deal the Nationals were able to quickly get Matt Adams back in the fold for 2019 and with a mutual option for 2020. Adams, 30, appeared in 94 games for the Nats last season before being traded to the Cardinals. He was important to the Nats when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was on the disabled list. Adams started 57 games, hit18 homers and contributed 48 RBIs. Known for his power, Adams also takes pride in his defense. In 2016, his range factor of 10.29 was the best in the majors for...

Because the trade occurred late in the Winter Meetings last week, and because the Nationals have made more news since, Tanner Roark's departure for Cincinnati perhaps hasn't received as much attention as it deserves. Consider this, then, one final acknowledgement of Roark's career in Washington. Because it was significant, it was very good at times and it may not be as easy to replace as some would like to believe. Did Roark have his faults? Sure. Especially over the last two seasons, he...

The press conference introducing Brandon Hyde as Orioles manager can be picked apart like a turkey carcass. How Hyde separated himself from the other five candidates. How the front office intends to maintain a daily dialogue with him. The task of constructing a coaching staff. The usage of analytics. Hyde's slow rise to up-and-coming star. One of the biggest curiosities for me involved the level of front office influence inside the manager's office and the dugout. How much authority will be...

From the moment he departed Washington for St. Louis (via a late-August waiver claim) Matt Adams made it clear he'd be interested in returning to the Nationals next season. He wasn't just saying it to be nice to his former employer. Adams officially rejoined the Nats today after passing a physical, the last step toward finalizing a one-year, $3 million contract that also includes a $4 million mutual option for 2020 (or a $1 million buyout). And the big slugger explained why he was so...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2020 with first baseman Matt Adams on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Adams, 30, returns to the Nationals after hitting .257 with nine doubles, 18 home runs, 48 RBI, 24 walks and 37 runs scored in 94 games with Washington in 2018. He recorded a .510 slugging percentage and an .842 OPS before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on...

It's the most wonderful time of the year - at least that's what that song tells me. Seriously, it seems like it's on a continuous loop. From the car to the department store to the supermarket. It's everywhere. While we don't have parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting or caroling in the snow, we do have some of the hap-hap-happiest results in this week's holiday array of "Nationals Classics" on MASN. Consider these our gift to you - and be of good cheer, as spring training is...

Tickets are now on sale for Orioles FanFest, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Presented by Visit Sarasota County, the event will feature appearances by current and former Orioles players and coaches as part of a day-long celebration of baseball that will also include clinics, exhibits and interactive games. The event will be held from 11 a.m-6 p.m., with early entry for Birdland Members beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are available online at...

The Nationals' luxury tax bill this season is slightly less than $2.4 million, a not-insignificant amount to pay for exceeding Major League Baseball's pseudo-salary cap, but probably not a steep enough penalty to deter the club from making an offer to Bryce Harper that would catapult it over the threshold again in 2019. The Nationals' final payroll for luxury tax purposes was roughly $205 million, according to a report over the weekend by the Associated Press, $8 million above MLB's 2018...

We may never know with pinpoint accuracy when Brandon Hyde received his offer from the Orioles to become the 20th manager in club history, when he accepted it, when it was safe to stitch his name across the back of a jersey. It really doesn't matter as we move forward, but someone in the organization insisted yesterday that, as reports surfaced at the Winter Meetings that Hyde would become the next manager, the Orioles hadn't started the process of negotiating a deal with him. We can argue...