You know the offseason is truly under way when we have a report of a monster trade coming from one outlet, and multiple other outlets quickly shooting that report down. Last night, said report involved the Nationals and the starting pitcher who many people would consider to be the team's ace. The Chicago Sun-Times reported last night that the Cubs are actively involved in talks to acquire Jordan Zimmermann from the Nationals, with one of Chicago's many talented middle infield prospects coming...

As you're going to notice from my Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot, which I've posted below, I have no issues with the Orioles' Buck Showalter being named American League Manager of the Year. Count me among the 25 voters who placed him first. My issue was deciding which manager to omit among the Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Royals' Ned Yost and the Mariners' Lloyd McClendon. Keep in mind that ballots were turned in before the playoffs. After much deliberation, I decided to...

In the Twitter world, where many of us get our daily baseball news in 140-character bursts, ESPN's Buster Olney sent this out yesterday about Nelson Cruz: The Orioles offered Nelson Cruz a three-year deal before he went into free agency. They're positioned to wait out as he talks w/ other teams— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 11, 2014 Later, a Boston reporter tweeted that Cruz wants five years and the Orioles won't go that far. Well, that's a relief. Being sarcastic here,...

Many Orioles fans are happy tonight as the manager they appreciate got honored as American League Manager of the Year. After winning the Baseball Writers' Association of America award for the third time, the Orioles' Buck Showalter was asked about the great fit he has become in Baltimore. The fans love him and he feels the same toward them. All that winning and two playoff appearances in three years doesn't hurt either. "I take a lot of pride in it," Showalter said of being the Orioles...

Shortly after winning the National League Manager of the Year award, Nationals skipper Matt Williams took part in a conference call with reporters, discussing an honor that he said he considers an "organizational award." The trophy will have his name inscribed on it. And Williams will forever have 2014 NL Manager of the Year on his resume. But not surprisingly, Williams was quick to deflect praise and spread the compliments around to his players, coaches and members of the front office for...

The Baseball Writers Association of America tonight announced that Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been voted the American League Manager of the Year, the third time in his career he has received the honor (also 2004 with Texas and 1994 with the Yankees). Showalter joins Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa (four each), and Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland and Lou Piniella (three each) in winning the award three or more times. Under Showalter's guidance, the 2014 Orioles (96-66) won the American League East...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter still feels twinges of anger and disappointment when reflecting back on the four-game sweep in the American League Championship Series, on how his season came to a screeching halt with more baseball left to play. Awards don't heal the wounds, but they bring recognition so richly deserved after a 96-win season and the organization's first division title in 17 years. Showalter has been named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers'...

In his first year as a major league skipper, Matt Williams has earned the top award in his profession. Williams has been named National League Manager of the Year for the 2014 season, as voted on at the end of the regular season by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Williams received a total of 109 votes, including 18 of the 30 first-place votes. The Nationals manager also received six second-place votes and was written in as the third-place finisher on one ballot. Pirates...

Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams was named the 2014 National League Manager of the Year Tuesday night by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Williams received a total 109 points, including 80 first-place votes. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle finished second in the voting, and San Francisco Giants Manager Bruce Bochy was third. Williams, who becomes the second manager in Nationals history to earn this honor, had an exceptionally successful rookie season in the dugout...

Are there any other players out there named Manny that the Nationals can sign this week? They inked Manny Delcarmen and Emmanuel "Manny" Burriss to minor league deals yesterday, bringing back two players who spent 2014 at Triple-A Syracuse and giving both invitations to big league spring training. Manny Ramirez is still out there. Anyone interested? Starting tonight at 6 p.m. on MLB Network, the results of the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting on the Manager of the Year awards...