Anthony Rendon didn't torment himself watching the rest of the postseason play out after the Nationals were eliminated in the National League Division Series. He's played some golf and immersed himself in basketball season, tuning in on his hometown Houston Rockets via DirecTV to take some of the sting away from the Nats' disappointing first-round ouster. "I guess (seeing the Giants win) made it a little bit easier, I guess, for me," he said at NatsFest. "Might be terrible to say, but...

Bryce Harper's upcoming grievance hearing to determine whether he can opt out of his contract and into salary arbitration will be held Tuesday in New York. But the potentially contentious faceoff has already had an effect on Harper and the Nationals. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the star outfielder opted not to attend NatsFest, though he had previously been listed by the team among the participating players, because of the hearing, which will be held in New York. "We're...

It's that time of year again, when you get to celebrate your favorite ballclub. You know the drill: Today will be filled with Nationals player appearances, picture sessions, Q&As and much more! Come by the MASN booth, where we'll have brand-new games, including the #SwagGrab Claw Machine. Check back here for videos and pictures throughout the day, and we'll see you at the MASN booth. The Claaaaaw. Come try it at the MASN booth at #NatsFest. #SwagGrab https://t.co/j36pqUi36D—...

Ryan Zimmerman has heard the whispers about the Nationals dealing one of their key players who will reach free agency after the 2015 season. He's watched this season as first baseman Adam LaRoche, cast aside to accommodate the planned move of Zimmerman to first base, signed as a free agent with the White Sox. He understands baseball's economics and realizes the window for the Nationals to win might be closing. But there's no hint of panic, certainly no palpable sense of urgency, in...

Well, that must have been some instructional league pitching performance. It was good enough to convince the Orioles brass that a young pitcher that has never pitched about low Single-A should be considered by them for the Rule 5 draft. A few months ago, then 21-year-old Jason Garcia, pitching for Boston, faced 18 O's batters in an instructional league game and struck out 14 of them. His hit list included Chance Sisco, Christian Walker and Chris Davis. When Boston did not protect Garcia on...

Well, the day that many Nationals fans have been waiting for since the final pitch of the 2014 season has finally arrived. It's time for NatsFest. What, you thought I meant the day that pitchers and catchers report to Space Coast Stadium? Those of you attending today's winter baseball carnival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will want to make sure to stop by the MASN booth. You can learn more about what's going on in our little corner of the Convention Center here. But...

As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette rushed to the airport in San Diego following the Rule 5 draft - we were on the same flight and he willingly chose a middle seat next to other team officials, while I grabbed an aisle seat and let everyone bump into my shoulder at least once - he didn't sound like a man who expected to strike a deal over the weekend. Duquette joked that I only asked whether he felt an agreement might be close so I'd know if it was safe to make plans. One phone...

Just because the Winter Meetings are over doesn't mean we're not still stoking the hot stove. In fact, the period from now until Christmas (and maybe New Year's Day) is usually pretty active. For whatever reason, free agents seem to like knowing where they're going to be playing next season, what city they have to report to for spring training, etc. Those moves have a ripple effect on other transactions. January and early February used to be the deadest part of the offseason. No more. Over...

The Orioles are continuing their attempts to sign outfielder Nolan Reimold to a minor league deal, which would return him to the organization that drafted him in 2005. The contract would include an invitation to spring training. While the Orioles would appear to be a favorable choice for Reimold, he's still searching for a major league deal and isn't in a rush to make a decision. Other teams are trying to strike the same deal with Reimold, a group that includes the White Sox, Indians and...

The Nationals acquired second baseman Chris Bostick and right-handed reliever Abel de Los Santos from the Texas Rangers on Friday in exchange for left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler. The 21-year-old Bostick has a .270 career batting average and a .341 on-base percentage in four minor league seasons ranging from rookie ball to high Single-A. In 2014, with Single-A Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League, Bostick hit .251 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .412 slugging percentage. While he played...