It's been a while since the Nationals held an offseason press conference on South Capitol Street. The last one came more than a year ago, when Davey Martinez was introduced as the club's seventh manager in 14 seasons. None of last year's player acquisitions warranted a full-scale press conference at the ballpark. So today represents a significant moment for the Nats, who have announced a 12:30 p.m. press conference at Nationals Park for what at this point the club is only saying is "a major...

Daylight's at a premium as we approach the winter solstice, and it can be tough keep your spirits up. MASN's here to help. For this week's throwback telecasts, we bring you a gem from the guy who wrote the jeweler's handbook on gemology, then a tough choice in the middle of a Nationals romp. After that, we take a glance back at the Nats' early days in D.C. for a glimpse of what was to come for the guy who would become Mr. National. So cheer up! In another week or so the days will start...

The NCAA football playoff matchups are set, and the Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Clemson and Alabama teams are x-ing and o-ing in preparation over the long layoff that follows the end of the regular season. The Maryland grid squad has a new coach. The NFL playoff picture is becoming clearer, though it's by no means settled, certainly not where the Ravens are concerned. Especially at this time of year, you hear the term "sudden death" more commonly in the context of football. But it happens in...

We don't know yet who the next Orioles manager will be, but he might be among five names we will mention here today. The first four are expected to interview with the club, or maybe have already. The fifth name has ties to O's general manager Mike Elias. Both worked for the Houston Astros last season. Will the next O's skipper be among this group? Washington Nationals bench coach Chip Hale: The Nationals hired Hale for the 2018 season to assist a first-year manager in Davey Martinez. The...

As we move closer to the start of the Winter Meetings, we can rehash the items on the Orioles' shopping list that don't include a new manager and a coaching staff. The need for a middle infielder, with shortstop seemingly the preference. Veteran pitchers who could be plugged into the rotation or bullpen, because no team really has enough. A veteran catcher after Caleb Joseph was non-tendered. Negotiations with Joseph didn't die after the deadline passed. Do the Orioles need to find another...

The Nationals' signing of Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140 million deal came in fast and furious Tuesday afternoon, the kind of head-spinning transaction that was felt across baseball. It also produced no shortage of follow-up questions. Now that we've had some time to digest the news, let's see if we can come up with some answers to those questions ... Did the Nationals really need to spend so much money for a No. 3 starter? Yes. First of all, let's not diminish Corbin by referring to...

After pitching only in the minor leagues in 2017, right-hander Justin Miller made a return to the major leagues with the Nationals last season and did quite well. In 51 games, Miller went 7-1 with a 3.61 ERA and two saves. In 52 1/3 innings, he struck out 60 batters and walked 17. In his three seasons with Detroit and Colorado, Miller combined for a total of five wins and one save over 88 1/3 frames. On Sunday at Nats Winterfest, Miller said he was thankful for his season and do have an...

Even listening through the telephone and using the assistance of a translator, you could tell it meant a lot to Miguel Castro. He recently recently took part in an event to help kids and it was most meaningful for the Orioles reliever. In his hometown of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Castro was one of three major league pitchers taking part in a program to provide kids with some of the necessities in life. Things some of us may take for granted - like food, notebooks for school or a haircut -...

Starter Dylan Bundy and left fielder Trey Mancini are calling into Thursday's "Orioles Hot Stove" show on 105.7 The Fan, which already has my mind racing to come up with the appropriate questions. The inappropriate ones are saved for later. OK, seriously, I'll want to know their feelings on the changes rippling throughout the organization. How Bundy feels about the possibility of a new pitching coach and Mancini a new hitting coach. Do they have a preference for manager? Do they know any...

The Nationals have agreed to terms with left-hander Patrick Corbin on a six-year, $140 million deal, according to a club source, landing the biggest free agent pitcher on the market to go along with the already formidable (and expensive) one-two punch of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. The signing is still contingent upon Corbin passing a physical, according to the source, but once it becomes official he'll become the first big-name free agent to sign this winter. He should provide a...