The Nationals have an agreement in place with Dave Martinez to become the club's seventh manager, and despite his lack of experience they'll be giving him more job security than any of their previous six skippers. Martinez and the Nats have agreed to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. A formal announcement isn't likely to come until later this week, after the World Series ends. Martinez emerged over the weekend as the...

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Wilmer Difo, who upon being given a chance to play regularly showed off some dynamic skills and an excellent glove. PLAYER REVIEW: WILMER DIFO Age on opening day 2018: 25 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, June 2010 MLB service time: 1 year, 98 days 2017 salary: $537,800 Contract status: Under team control through 2019, arbitration-eligible in 2020,...

In looking back at the last week of blog entries in this space, today we would love to get a few more comments/opinions on any or all of them. On Monday, we discussed flamethrowing lefty Tanner Scott in this entry. The southpaw is one of the top Orioles pitching prospects. He was a sixth-round pick out of Howard (Texas) Junior College in 2014. For Double-A Bowie this season, Scott was 0-2 with a 2.22 ERA. Over 69 innings, he allowed 45 hits with 46 walks and 87 strikeouts. He had ended 2016 at...

There's no real update on the Orioles coaching staff, but I can offer a little clarity on the situation. Not all of the contracts expire on Tuesday. The coaches who came up from the minor league system have deals that run through the end of the year. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson, bullpen coach Alan Mills and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark fall into the latter category. Dickerson was minor league infield coordinator before replacing DeMarlo Hale in December 2012. Mills was Double-A...

If you thought the youngster who threw out the first pitch at Minute Maid Park before tonight's Game 4 of the World Series looked familiar, you're right. Hailey Dawson, the 7-year-old from Las Vegas with the 3-D printed hand who got tonight's ceremonial honor at the Fall Classic, was here in Birdland just two years ago with All-Star third baseman Manny Machado of the Orioles as her batterymate and new best friend. Then, as a 5-year-old, she got the star treatment at Camden Yards before a...

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Adam Lind, who was signed on the eve of spring training but proved to be a vital piece off the bench this season. PLAYER REVIEW: ADAM LIND Age on opening day 2018: 34 How acquired: Signed as free agent, February 2017 MLB service time: 10 years, 58 days 2017 salary: $1 million (made an additional $800,000 for playing in at least 110 games). Contract status: $5...

Baseball America started to roll out its latest top 10 prospects lists for major league teams this week. Before too long, we'll see a new Orioles list. But today, I'm taking my own shot at a top 10 list for the club. These are my own thoughts and rankings, and for this one, I didn't solicit a single opinion from a scout or team official to get their take on my list. It is just one man's list and when it comes to ranking prospects, there is no right or wrong, just a lot of opinions. Keep in...

The Orioles must do more than tinker with their rotation. With the possible departures of four starters, it requires a complete overhaul before opening day. Ubaldo Jiménez, Chris Tillman and Jeremy Hellickson are pending free agents and Wade Miley could join them, with the Orioles expected to decline his $12 million option. Tillman could be re-signed at a significantly reduced rate, but other holes must be plugged. I've heard that Miley would like a return to the National League, where he...

The Nationals interviewed one available World Series-winning manager today, but have yet to contact the other prominent name who also fits that description. John Farrell, fired two weeks ago by the Red Sox, formally met today with general manager Mike Rizzo and members of the Nationals ownership group, a source familiar with the process confirmed. Farrell becomes the third known candidate for the job, along with Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez (who interviewed Thursday and is considered among...

There are 30 teams in the majors. As of yesterday, 20 percent are changing managers. As of yesterday, 30 percent of the 2017 playoff teams will have different managers next year. The Yankees' Joe Girardi will not return to the Bronx. He has been the skipper the past 10 years, averaging 91 wins per season and finishing first or second seven times. His teams made the playoffs six times, won the World Series in 2009 and lost in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series this year. By most...