As we approach the Christmas holiday, the Orioles still have lots of work to do on their roster unless they're committed to starting Alejandro De Aza or David Lough in left field and Steve Pearce in right. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wanted two more outfielders - one who batted from the left side and one who batted from the right. He wanted another catcher to improve the depth, though he's got four on the 40-man roster. And if the season started today, manager Buck Showalter...

If now-departed outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was the most popular name brought up by other teams at the Winter Meetings in San Diego earlier this month, right-handed pitching prospect A.J. Cole might have been a close second. One scout told me in the lobby of the Manchester Grand Hyatt that his team had been trying to pry Cole away from the Nationals since general manager Mike Rizzo reacquired him from the A's in a three-team trade in January 2013. "No dice," the scout told me. "They ain't...

Well, it wouldn't be spring training without at least one reclamation project, right? Former Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell announced in a self-penned post on The Players' Tribune this afternoon that he had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. The contract includes an invitation to major league spring training, so Bell will be suiting up in Viera, Fla., when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 19. Bell, 37, is the classic low-risk, high-reward guy at this stage of his career,...

Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! Our gifts to you this holiday week is four "Nationals Classics" games, including two from this past season. If you're spending time with your family and want to bond with America's Pastime, tune in to MASN HD. Here's what's on deck this week: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m.: Who doesn't love it when the Nationals beat the Braves? On Sept. 17, 2013, the Nats actually split a doubleheader with the Braves. Emotions were running high at...

Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! As the new year approaches, we wanted to give you another opportunity to watch four of the greatest Orioles games from this past season, including all three games from the American League Division Series. So sit back, relax, enjoy friends and family and watch some baseball! Here's what's on deck this week: Thursday, Dec. 25, 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Our Christmas present for you is an opportunity to watch the Orioles' playoff sweep of...

As the holiday season arrives, baseball transactions usually slow down. We know you are busy with preparations, so here's the one word that comes to mind when talking about National League teams: * Arizona: Revival. There's an Oakland connection that brings back memories of the A's World Series teams from 1988-90. The team president is former A's manager Tony La Russa. The general manager is former A's pitcher Dave Stewart and pitching consultant Dave Duncan was La Russa's pitching coach...

As the holidays approach, here's the one word that defines each American League team: * Baltimore: Favorite. If the season started today, the Orioles would be the pick to win the AL East, even without lefty Andrew Miller, designated hitter Nelson Cruz and outfielder Nick Markakis. At this point, Steve Pearce would play right field and Alejandro De Aza would be in left. How are the Orioles going to find anything better? Chances are they won't, but they will look, just in case. If Chris Davis,...

The Orioles have hired former major league third baseman Sean Berry as the hitting coach at Triple-A Norfolk. Berry replaces Denny Walling, who retired to spend more time with his family. Berry, 48, had been the Padres minor league hitting coordinator. He previously served as the Astros hitting coach. Berry played for the Expos while Dan Duquette was their general manager. The Orioles still need a field coach at Single-A Frederick. They've hired Howie Clark as Single-A Delmarva field coach...

The recent three-team trade that brought a pair of top prospects from the Padres organization has altered Baseball America's latest Nationals prospect list. Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel listed Trea Turner and Joe Ross in the top six. One spot was opened up when outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was shipped to Tampa Bay. But to have two brand-new prospects added to the Nationals' talent base worthy of ranking in the top 10 is a big step in building the strength of the...

Later today, we'll learn the name of the major league club that won the opportuity to negotiate exclusively with Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang. So far, 18 teams have said they weren't engaged in the bidding through the posting system. But one club reportedly has paid $5,002,015 for the right to hash out a deal with Kang, a 27-year-old slugger who blasted 40 home runs and had 117 RBIs for the Korean Baseball Organization's Nexen Heroes in 2014. Here is a refresher to the posting system used...