Former major league general manager and current MLB Network analyst Dan O'Dowd said outfielder Juan Soto, ranked at No. 29 on MLB.com's top 100 prospects list, is another nice outfield prospect that brings a lot to the table, but a little bit different than what you would see from top Nationals prospect Victor Robles, who sits at No. 6. "I've watched video on Soto and read the reports," O'Dowd said. "I don't know if he's in Robles' class as it relates to the defensive and baserunning...

As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series continues today with the bullpen ... Undeniably the club's biggest weakness through the first half of the 2017, the Nationals bullpen morphed into one of its true strengths by season's end. For that, thank general manager Mike Rizzo, who acquired three key arms in July and transformed the nature of the seventh, eighth and ninth innings in dramatic...

The Major League Baseball Players Association issued a statement Sunday saying that reports of the players boycotting spring training are false and they've not recommended such plans. But the fact that the MLBPA was inclined to even issue a statement is the latest sign that these are turbulent times in the sport. The players' side is stirred up about both the lack of free agent movement and the commissioner's desire to implement pace of play rules. This has gotten a bit contentious at a time...

Included among the memorable nuggets to spill out of FanFest, along with the boulder-sized announcement that Manny Machado would play shortstop, was executive vice president Dan Duquette's confirmation that the Orioles have been in contact with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty. A season ticket holder brought up Flaherty's name during the Q&A session and Duquette noted the applause and the popularity of "Flash." Someone has to cover the four infield positions and, ideally, have the...

With the announcement that Manny Machado will play shortstop this season, did the Orioles create one of baseball's best double play combinations for the 2018 season? According to this story on MLB.com, they did. Reporter Anthony Castrovince, using stat projections for offense and defense for the coming season, ranked the best DP combos in the sport. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the World Series-winning Houston Astros are No. 1, and Machado and Jonathan Schoop were ranked second....

The Orioles have four catchers on their 40-man roster after Friday's trade with the Brewers that gave them Andrew Susac, a former top prospect for the Giants who hasn't hit in the majors, but is the depth move that executive vice president Dan Duquette sought before spring training. The roster is full and the Orioles still have three openings in their rotation. They can create room, of course, but it's been easier to find catchers and utility infielders than starting pitchers. This isn't...

As the start of spring training fast approaches, we're breaking down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series begins today with the starting rotation ... If asked to point to the one most significant reason for the Nationals' sustained, six-year run of success, the answer is simple: a dominant rotation. In every one of those six seasons, the Nationals have ranked no worse than seventh in the majors in starters' ERA. Three times, the unit has ranked first or second...

Whenever there is discussion about the Orioles offense, it seems almost all roads lead back to first baseman Chris Davis and his struggles of the last two years. He is a focal point - that comes with the big contract he signed. Of course, there is a lot more to any offense than just one player, but Davis is a key player no doubt. As his strikeout totals remained high - and even went over the 200 mark in 2015 and 2016 - his home run total dropped. He hit 47 homers in 2015 and then 38 and 26 the...

It's been the underlying story of the entire offseason throughout the baseball world, the lack of free agent signings. And yesterday the most controversial theory was put out there by a prominent agent, something many have wondered but few have publicly been willing to offer: collusion by all 30 clubs to keep spending down and increase their own profits. Brodie Van Wagenen, the co-head of CAA baseball and agent for a host of big-name players (including Ryan Zimmerman), posted a memo on his...

The Orioles today added to their catching depth when they acquired Andrew Susac from the Brewers for a player to be named or cash considerations. Susac has been added to the club's 40-man roster, which is now at a full 40. He was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Jan. 30 to make room for right-hander Matt Albers. Throw another player into the mix for the backup catcher's job in spring training. "Susac is a (righty)-hitting catcher with over 100 games ML experience who adds depth...