A new manager for the Orioles likely will bring in his own pitching coach rather than inherit Roger McDowell. It's the usual outcome. Few coaches carry over to the next skipper. The ones that do should receive an award bearing Elrod Hendricks' name. Manager Mike Hargrove inherited Eddie Murray on his 2000 staff, giving him an extra coach and forcing Brian Graham, formerly on the Indians' staff, to the press box as the "eye in the sky." Graham also was given the title of "offensive and...

Here is an update on a couple of minor league pitching prospects who came to the Nationals via mid-season trades for veterans. They both attended and worked out at instructional league after the season ended. RHP Andrew Istler 26 years old 5-foot-11, 175 lbs. 2015 Round 23, Dodgers Duke Andrew Istler was involved in the trade that sent right-hander Ryan Madson to the Dodgers. He pitched 29 games for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in the Texas League. In his last 10 games, Istler went 2-1 with a...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Matt Wieters, who finished strong after a slow start followed by a significant injury. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT WIETERS Age on opening day 2019: 32 How acquired: Signed as free agent, February 2017 MLB service time: 9 years, 129 days 2018 salary: $10.5 million Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 76 G, 271 PA, 235 AB, 24 R, 56 H, 8 2B, 0 3B, 8 HR, 30 RBI,...

Camden Yards is quiet now, except for the occasional grounds crew member doing some scheduled offseason upkeep. Seems strange, considering it was only a couple of weekends ago that the ballpark was buzzing with activity during the regular season's final series against the Astros. Maybe you still have the coasters, puffy vests and duffle bags that were given away to fans. Giveaways are nice, of course, but they don't replace the crack of the bat or the sound of a fastball meeting a mitt. Lucky...

OK, let's admit it. You weren't done watching baseball and fully expected the Nationals to be playing in the postseason deep into October. We get it. We're right there with you. And baseball withdrawal is a legit medical condition that deserves a lot more attention than it receives. Yes, you can tune to the National League Championship Series beginning on Friday. But that doesn't solve your Nationals fix, does it? Luckily, we can. Yes, it's time for another offseason of "Nationals...

After watching Division Series in an age of reinventing pitching order, one thing is clear: The four teams remaining in the postseason have plenty of starters. Is it any surprise that Boston, Houston, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee are playing for league championships? So maybe there will be more talk about starters going seven innings instead of how a manager will use seven pitchers to get through nine innings. The defending World Series champion Astros have Justin Verlander (2.52 ERA...

He began the 2018 season pitching well in the bullpen at Double-A Bowie and ended the year pitching well in the Baltimore bullpen. He may have found a home in that 'pen and projects as a key member of the 2019 Orioles. It was quite a ride during the season for left-hander Paul Fry. He spent about six weeks with Bowie, about five with Triple-A Norfolk and then got a late June call to Baltimore, and never went back to the minors. Three levels in one season. "I didn't really expect it (to get...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Wilmer Difo, who received extensive playing time this season and tried to make the case for himself as a long-term starting second baseman. PLAYER REVIEW: WILMER DIFO Age on opening day 2019: 26 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, June 2010 MLB service time: 2 years, 110 days 2018 salary: $557,900 Contract status: Under club control in...

Let's push aside for a minute the uncertainty within the front office and in the manager's chair, and how the impact could echo throughout the organization. Anyone who's interviewing to become president of baseball operations is going to wonder how Chris Davis and the $110 million remaining on the richest contract in franchise history can fit into the rebuilding process. How a square peg fits into a round hole. This individual will be told that it doesn't. That giving one player, coming off...

The Nationals got a jump on the Hot Stove League today and sought to begin making over their bullpen, acquiring Kyle Barraclough from the Marlins in exchange for international bonus slot money, a rare October trade that brings an experienced late-inning reliever to Washington. Barraclough, 28, has spent the last four seasons in Miami's bullpen, and though he struggled when given an opportunity to close this year, he had been a successful setup man prior to that. The hard-throwing right-hander...