It's been more than two months since he was named the National League's Cy Young Award winner, but on Sunday night, Max Scherzer officially was presented with the award itself. Scherzer was among several players honored at the annual New York Baseball Writers' Dinner, joined by fellow winners of the BBWAA's annual end-of-season awards along with the winners of awards given out specifically to New York players. It was Scherzer's second straight January trip to the Big Apple to receive a Cy...

On Saturday night, current Nationals and former Virginia Cavaliers Ryan Zimmerman and Sean Doolittle were inducted into the inaugural class of the University of Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame. Mike Cubbage, a special assistant to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, was also among the first inductees. Of course, Doolittle can always brag he hit more homers than Zimmerman did while they were at Virginia in 2005. Doolittle, a first baseman in college, hit 11 to Zimmerman's six. Which got me...

In three of the last six seasons, the Orioles have led the major leagues in home runs. They topped every club by hitting 212 in 2013, 211 in 2014 and 253 in 2016. The 2017 Orioles hit 232 home runs, but that ranked only fifth both in the American League and the major leagues behind the Yankees (241), Astros (238), Rangers (237) and Athletics (234). The Orioles had seven players hit 20 or more homers last season for just the second time in club history. The 1996 team also had seven. Tim Beckham...

Zach Britton couldn't attend Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, an excused absence based on his Achilles surgery and rehab in California. But the Orioles closer was a presence at the annual event, spreading positive updates about his recovery in an online Q&A and conference call with the media. He also maintained a humorous dialogue through his Twitter account while referenced in the season ticket holders' session with executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager...

The Nationals' offseason to date has not included any real additions, only the re-signing of free agents Howie Kendrick, Brandon Kintzler and Edwin Jackson, plus the swapping of Adam Lind for Matt Adams. There's still plenty of time and, more importantly, plenty of available players to make some significant transactions that will dramatically alter things. But for now, the 2018 Nationals look a whole lot like the 2017 Nationals. That's not a bad thing, mind you, considering the 2017...

At FanFest, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he is confident the club will still be able to fill its, shall we say, thin starting rotation. Manager Buck Showalter reminded fans that it's only January and that analysts doubt his team every year. And keeping with that theme, when vice president of baseball operations and former Oriole Brady Anderson met with reporters, he echoed those thoughts. He feels the club still has the time and resources to add a solid pitcher or more...

Mark Trumbo led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016, drove in 108 runs and parlayed his career highs into a three-year, $37.5 million contract to remain with the Orioles. A virtual bargain given today's salaries. Trumbo followed it up with 23 home runs, 65 RBIs, an OPS that dipped from .850 to .686 and a vow to clear his head and get a fresh start. His offseason routine is, in his words, "a little bit different this year." No sense repeating anything that led to such a...

With free agency on the horizon and the bulk of fan and media attention on others who could leave Baltimore, center fielder Adam Jones confirmed this afternoon at FanFest that he hasn't been involved in any contract negotiations with the Orioles. Jones is set to earn $17 million in the final season of the six-year, $85.5 million extension he signed in May 2012. Rumors surfaced at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., that the Orioles had approached him about a three-year offer, which...

Tim Beckham said he found out last night, through a conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter, that he would move from shortstop to third base and he's ready for it. No nerves, no reservations. He'll do what's needed without complaint. "It's exciting, man. It's a new position for me, so I'm ready to go over and have some fun for sure," he said during his media sesson at FanFest. "Last night, Buck mentioned it and I'm open to it, especially if it helps the team and it's a...

Right-hander Michael Kelly was a minor league free agent this winter, but now he may have a major opportunity. Signed by the Orioles to a major league contract in December on the day of the Rule draft 5, the 25-year-old right-hander is among a handful of in-house rotation candidates. Kelly had other teams showing interest in December, but signed with the Orioles because, like the rest of us, he knew the club had - and still has - just two established pitchers in its rotation. "I truly like the...