The Nationals extended qualifying offers to right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond, but not center fielder Denard Span, prior to today's 5 p.m. deadline. Neither Zimmermann nor Desmond, who have both played their entire careers for the Nationals, are expected to accept the qualifying offer worth $15.8 million for the 2016 season (the average of the top 125 salaries in the majors). Both have until Nov. 13 to decide whether to take the qualifying offer or pass and enter free...

The Orioles today announced that they have made Qualifying Offers to left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, first baseman Chris Davis and catcher Matt Wieters. Additionally, the club has selected the contract of left-hander Chris Jones from Triple-A Norfolk. Chen, 30, went 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA (71 ER/191.1 IP) over 31 starts for the Orioles this season. Davis, 29, batted .262/.361/.562 with 47 home runs and with 117 RBI in 160 games with the Orioles this season. Wieters, 29, batted...

After the season was completed, the Nationals announced they had dismissed their athletic training staff including head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz, assistant trainer Steve Gober, and strength and conditioning coach John Philbin. New manager Dusty Baker was asked in his introductory news conference about the Nationals' issues with injuries to key players last season. He was very concerned about the situation. "That's a big point," Baker said. "I've always said if I can keep my frontline...

Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' top prospect, allowed one run and two hits in his one inning today for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. He threw 19 pitches, including 14 for strikes. Bundy's fastball was 92-94 mph, according to the radar gun used on MLB Network. He also mixed in his slider, changeup and curveball. Surprise Saguaros leadoff hitter Charlie Tilson reached on a single down the left field line, stole second, moved to third on Yadiel Rivera's ground ball to short and...

There were many reasons the Double-A Bowie Baysox won their first Eastern League championship this season. The great leadership of manager Gary Kendall and his coaching staff and the strong performances of so many players were pretty important. But there was one man who was there for all of it and did some solid work out of the media spotlight. But as I talked to Bowie hitters, his name came up often. They were happy to thank hitting coach Keith Bodie for his help during the season. This...

The Orioles made the predicted moves today regarding their six pending free agents, sending qualifying offers to first baseman Chris Davis, catcher Matt Wieters and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. They declined the offers to reliever Darren O'Day and infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce. Outfielder Gerardo Parra isn't eligible because the Orioles acquired him in a trade during the season. Davis and Chen most certainly will decline the offers, which are worth $15.8 million next season, and Wieters is...

The Winter Meetings are right around the corner, if it takes you a month to complete the turn. And if that's the case, you may want to visit a cardiologist. I have the same feelings for the meetings as I do an open jar of unrefrigerated mayonnaise, but I'll withhold the incessant whining until next month. Find a comfortable seat for it. The Rule 5 draft will be held on Dec. 10 before executives and reporters make a mad dash to the Nashville airport. The Orioles aren't casual observers of the...

The time many Nationals fans have been dreading is nearing. Free agency officially begins after the clock strikes midnight, meaning beloved veterans Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Denard Span, Doug Fister, Matt Thornton and Dan Uggla have the right to sign elsewhere. Before then, the Nationals have until 5 p.m. today to extend a qualifying offer to any of their pending free agent players. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal worth $15.8 million, the average of the top 125 salaries in the...

So why did Miguel Gonzalez pitch so well in 2014, and for much of his first three years with the Orioles, only to struggle in 2015? Was it all about injuries? Did the league catch up to him? If so, why didn't that happen during the 2014 season? Is his stuff just not good enough? At one time, it seemed Gonzalez was the Orioles' most underrated and/or underappreciated starter. Now, after his 2015 campaign, there are certainly some that feel his spot in the 2016 Orioles rotation is far from...

New Nationals manager Dusty Baker was thrilled to be able to add former Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux his staff. Baker said he was able to talk to Maddux when the Rangers played a game at Oakland two years ago and Baker's son wanted to watch right fielder Shin-Soo Choo play for the Rangers. "I've been knowing Mike a long time and his brother Greg played for me in Chicago," Baker said. "I had a conversation with Mike at that time. He said, 'Hey I would like to be on your staff at some...