Though he has spent the majority of his career at second base, Howie Kendrick really has morphed into an outfielder over the last two seasons. Kendrick started 79 games in left field for the Dodgers in 2016, more than three times as many as he started at second base. And last season with the Phillies and Nationals, he started 57 games in the outfield, only 16 in the infield. We'll see where Kendrick winds up spending most of his time with the Nationals this year - there could be a need at...

With the Orioles down to two unsigned arbitration-eligible players, they intend to continue negotiations until the hearing dates next month rather than go "file and trial," according to a source. Consider their approach "file and try." The club reached agreements on Friday with closer Zach Britton, third baseman Manny Machado, reliever Brad Brach, infielder Tim Beckham and catcher Caleb Joseph. They exchanged salary figures with second baseman Jonathan Schoop and starter Kevin...

While the management of the Pittsburgh Pirates is not saying the club has gone into full rebuild mode, the Bucs have traded pitcher Gerrit Cole and the face of their franchise, outfielder Andrew McCutchen, in recent days. The Pirates dealt Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, to the Houston Astros for four players on Saturday. They dealt McCutchen, a Pirate for nine years, to San Francisco for two players on Monday. You have to wonder if the Pirates have not gone in the last few days...

In case anyone doubted whether Manny Machado would attend FanFest later this month, his name is included on the list of players released tonight by the Orioles. Trade rumors won't keep him away. Put away the speculation and focus on getting your autograph vouchers, which go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. The annual event will be held on Jan. 27 at the Baltimore Convention Center and run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles season plan members beginning at 10 a.m. as part of the...

Golfers have until Friday, January 26 to register for the eighth annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic scheduled for Tuesday, February 13 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Individuals and foursomes are invited to participate with Orioles players and coaches in the event, which benefits the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. The event begins with...

Tomorrow's the day - fans will finally be able to purchase autograph vouchers for Orioles FanFest on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Vouchers go on sale here at 10 a.m., Eastern time. Prepare your keyboard or mobile device clicking fingers accordingly. But tonight's when the planning actually begins, as any FanFest veteran well knows. The Orioles have released the lineup of autograph stations for the annual offseason event, allowing fans to figure out how to best...

For all the star power and success within their everyday lineup and starting rotation, the Nationals know they would not have won 97 games and run away with a division title last season if not for the performance of their bench. When injuries knocked Bryce Harper, Adam Eaton, Jayson Werth, Trea Turner and Michael A. Taylor out for a minimum of five weeks apiece, how did the Nationals manage not only to stay afloat but continue to thrive? Thanks to the fill-in work of Adam Lind, Howie Kendrick,...

Mid-season free agent pickups usually build their brand with a good team, then turn that into a huge payoff with another team the next year. It has happened to the Nationals over the years. It happens to almost every team that surges for a playoff spot in hopes that late free agent acquisition will make the difference between almost reaching the playoffs to definitely playing October baseball. But this offseason has been different for the Nats. Reliever Brandon Kintzler and infielder/outfielder...

It is not a secret that the Orioles need to get more innings out of their starting rotation than they have in recent years. Not only has their starting rotation ranked near the bottom of the league in ERA, but also in combined innings pitched. But this has happened to the Orioles at a time when the entire American League has seen starters pitching fewer innings. The trend of teams pulling starters earlier and getting to their bullpens sooner was big in the 2017 postseason, when starting...