As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Joe Ross, whose erratic season was cut short by a major elbow injury ... PLAYER REVIEW: JOE ROSS Age on opening day 2018: 24 How acquired: Traded from Padres with Trea Turner for Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott, who were sent to Rays in three-team deal, December 2014 MLB service time: 2 years, 67 days 2017 salary: $551,000 Contract status: Under team control in...

When a team loses 19 of its last 23 games and tumbles to the bottom of the division with a sickening thud, the natural inclination is to pick apart each player and focus on the negatives that destroyed a season. Finding the silver linings can be a strain to the eyes. I randomly chose three players who trended upward in a specific area and will need to keep heading in that direction as the Orioles attempt to ditch the cellar and get back into contention. Can Jonathan Schoop rev up the on-base...

They are both Orioles first-round draft picks that are right-handed pitchers and were selected out of high school. They have both been ranked as top 100 prospects. They have both had Tommy John surgery. The similarities between Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey don't end there. Bundy has thrown 167 minor league innings and Harvey has pitched 144. Bundy is 10-9 with an ERA of 2.59, WHIP of 1.05 and .211 batting average against. Harvey is 7-8 with an ERA of 2.56, WHIP of 1.12 and .210 batting...

It's Black Friday, aka the busiest shopping day of the year. If you're into waking up at 3 a.m. and physically fighting with strangers over a discounted toaster oven, that is. But, hey, some people live for this stuff. They have a few items they absolutely must buy, and this is the best deal they're ever going to find on them. So traditional manners need not apply. In that spirit, we're opening up the floor to all of you today. What's your must-have gift for the Nationals this winter? Is...

Now that we've moved past the Thanksgiving holiday, it's time to tackle two important questions: How many ways can turkey be used in leftovers before it turns colors? And how will the Orioles continue to address their need for left-handed bats? Soups, sandwiches, chili, casseroles, pot pies, enchiladas, omelets and hash are handy ways to transform whatever remains on the carcass and serving dish. That one was easy. Executive vice president Dan Duquette suggested last week that he could be in...

There's a lot of reason to be upset with the world right now, but - believe it or not - there's a lot more reason to be happy. I often remind myself of this. There's way more good than bad in the world, way more good people than bad people. We only hear about the bad stuff more. And so on this Thanksgiving, it seems like the right time to remind ourselves of the good things in our lives. So I called up a bunch of Nationals players and other club personnel and asked them to share what...

Sending out a wish today that everyone has a great Thanksgiving and weekend with family and friends. It remains as true today as ever: I'm thankful for the readers of this blog and that so many post questions and comments to keep a great conversation going through the year. During this offseason to this point we have written about here and debated several questions surrounding the Orioles. Today I will throw out a few topics from recent weeks. Feel free to add your own in and around trips to...

How intense is the roll that catcher Austin Wynns is on these days? How big is the wave he's riding? He was given another opportunity to play baseball in the Dominican Republic, the same fulfilling experience as last year. He was able to go home for Thanksgiving and be surrounded by family and friends. He lives in San Diego, where the weather is always ideal. And he found out Monday evening that the Orioles placed him on their 40-man roster three weeks shy of his 27th birthday. I'd suggest...

As the Orioles seek more balance in their lineup, they found a left-handed hitting outfielder today who will compete for a spot in spring training. The Orioles acquired outfielder Jaycob Brugman from the Athletics for a player to be named or cash. The 40-man roster has increased to 34 players. The A's designated Brugman for assignment on Monday as rosters were set prior to the Rule 5 draft. He made his major league debut on June 9 and batted .266/.346/.343 with two doubles, three home runs, 12...

WAR, what is it good for? In a baseball statistical sense, it may be a useful metric that allows us to compare players and takes into account hitting, fielding and even baserunning among position players. There are WAR stats for pitchers, as well. It has become more prominent in the game in recent years and is used more by media and fans. But in my humble opinion, it remains a stat/metric still trying to find its way into the mainstream. It is still often misunderstood by some who then tend to...