We've talked about how Tyler Clippard and Rafael Soriano's departures create a hole at the back end of the Nationals bullpen, and how roles might have to be adjusted this upcoming season. There are certainly guys who could be used in higher leverage situations, should they prove they are capable of handling the load. We've mentioned Casey Janssen, Matt Thornton, Aaron Barrett, Blake Treinen and others as possibilities, with Janssen looking like the most likely eighth-inning option. Should...

Travis Snider is no All-Star, but if he plays for the 2015 Orioles like he did for the 2014 Pirates, he could help the team and be a solid addition as they make another run at the playoffs. He is going to be 27 on Feb. 2 and is going to make just $2.1 million this season. If the Orioles like what they see, they can offer him arbitration for 2016 and keep him for at least two seasons. The Orioles acquired the lefty-hitting outfielder Monday night from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher...

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for not asking the Orioles about the availability of Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. See, that's how you get a deal done. You can't judge this deal until finding out whether pitcher Stephen Tarpley reaches the majors and makes an impact with the Pirates. Until learning the identity of the player to be named later and how he progresses. Until finding out whether Travis Snider can fill a chunk of the void left by the departure of right fielder Nick...

The Orioles tonight acquired lefty-hitting outfielder Travis Snider from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment. Tarpley is a lefty that will turn 22 on Feb. 17. The Orioles selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft out of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. This year, he went 3-5 with an ERA of 3.68 in 66 1/3 innings with short-season Single-A...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Michael Ohlman has been designated for assignment. Snider, 26, hit .264/.338/.438 with 13 home runs and a career-high 38 RBI in 140 games with the Pirates in 2014. He saw action at both left and right field last season. Originally selected in the first round of...

The deal is done. The Orioles have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates for minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later. To make room for Snider on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment. "Snider is a solid, dependable power-hitting outfielder and is an excellent fit for Camden Yards," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message. "Should be a good addition to the club at bat and in...

The Orioles are getting closer to acquiring outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates, according to multiple sources. One source said the sides rekindled talks a few weeks ago. Another source indicated that the Orioles are trying to limit the return to one minor leaguer. The player going to the Pirates at this stage wouldn't be on the 40-man roster and most likely would be a lower-level pitcher. The Orioles discussed Snider with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings in San Diego and...

Many times the player to be named is just that - and few remember who that player was. But the Nationals pulled off a deal this offseason involving a PTBN that indeed hasn't been named yet, but is very likely to be a top prospect from the Padres organization. In the three-team trade that sent left-hander Travis Ott and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays, first-round pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named were sent to the Nationals. In June, it is expected that player will be...

If the Astros and Nationals are going to get their long-awaited shared spring training complex in West Palm Beach, they're going to have to overcome a late-in-the-process hurdle. The Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale reported Monday that drinking water protections on the parcel of land where the teams want to have a $135 million facility constructed could stand in the way of the project's completion. In order for the shared spring training home to move forward, the Florida legislature needs to...

The Orioles today announced that the club will produce a new official legacy book entitled "Baltimore Orioles: 60 Years of Orioles Magic" to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Orioles baseball in Baltimore. Fans can secure their copy online through a pre-order at www.orioles.com/book, with the book scheduled to arrive in April 2015. Season Plan Members who have been with the club for the past three seasons will receive a complimentary book in appreciation for their continued support of and...