VIERA, Fla. - One day into spring training, we have our first trade. Not much time wasted there. Mike Rizzo found who he surely expects to be the Nationals' backup catcher this morning, completing a trade with the Rays that sends right-hander Nathan Karns to Tampa Bay in exchange for catcher Jose Lobaton. The teams have not yet announced the trade, but the deal is expected to be made official later today. Karns had just arrived to the Nats' facilities here in Viera this morning when Rizzo...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Though the Orioles have reached agreement with south Korean pitcher Suk-min Yoon on a three-year contract, he won't be reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today. It may take a while. One estimation placed his arrival at seven to 10 days, assuming he passes the physical. He probably will need to go back home. As I wrote previously, I've heard from multiple sources that the Orioles are trying to sign two pitchers. Don't assume that Yoon will be the only one. The...

As spring training opens, the Nationals are the closest team to having a perfect roster. Over the winter, the Nationals added Doug Fister to the rotation, lefty Jerry Blevins to the bullpen and Nate McLouth to the bench. Today, they acquired backup catcher Jose Lobaton from the Rays. Their rotation is deep. Their lineup is set. The bullpen is strong. Even though the Nationals finished 10 games behind the Braves last season, they're going to be the favored team in the National League East this...

As spring training gets started this weekend, the Orioles will be looking for their No. 5 starter, a closer, a left-fielder and a DH. Here is what the Orioles are up against with the four teams in the AL East: * BOSTON - The Red Sox, who beat St. Louis in the World Series last season, will try to be the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees won three consecutively. ... Unless the Red Sox sign Stephen Drew, they will use prospect Xander Bogaerts at...

Last season, Tanner Roark emerged as a force to be reckoned with. As someone who came into 2013 unheralded, Roark enters spring training today competing for a chance to be a part of the Nationals rotation. After making his major league debut on Aug. 7, Roark appeared in 14 games, finishing with a 7-1 record and a 1.51 ERA. The video below highlights one of his strongest outings of the season, when he threw seven scoreless innings against the Braves with six strikeouts. Roark reports with...

While we sit here and bear the snowstorm of the year, pitchers and catchers are reporting to Sarasota, Fla., to mark the first day of spring training. Among those reporting today is right-hander Kevin Gausman. Seen as one of the Orioles' top prospects, Gausman spent 2013 jumping between Triple-A and the big leagues, where he made 20 appearances for Baltimore. In his sixth appearance, Gausman entered in relief with the O's down 3-0 in the third inning against the Yankees. With Gausman...

VIERA, Fla. - Earlier this morning, Nationals right-hander Nathan Karns discussed the possibility of being traded. Now the rumors have come to fruition. Karns just finished meeting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who informed him that he'd been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. So instead of reacquainting himself with teammates in the only organization he's ever known, Karns is now packing his gear and stuffing belongings into a giant trash bag. He'll soon be traveling across Florida...

VIERA, Fla. - Nathan Karns was having a relaxing dinner with fellow right-hander Aaron Barrett last night, mentally preparing for the first official day of spring training for Nationals pitchers and catchers today. Then Karns got a call from his agent telling him that his name was being tossed out in trade rumors involving Rays catcher Jose Lobaton. How about that for a bit of pre-camp news? "My mom calls me and goes, 'Is it true?' " Karns said today. "I was like, 'I have no idea, I...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The selfie didn't lie. The Orioles have reached agreement on a three-year contract with south Korean pitcher Suk-min Yoon, according to an industry source. The team most likely will withhold confirmation until getting back the results of his physical. Yoon will receive $5.75 million guaranteed over three seasons. The deal also includes performance bonuses for games started. Yoon got the rumor mill spinning late Tuesday night after posting a photo of himself in an Orioles...

VIERA, Fla. - As I start to get moving this morning on my first full day in Florida, I'd just like to wish everyone well back up north as you deal with this massive snowstorm that's coming through the mid-Atlantic region. Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully everyone's power remains on throughout the day, and I hope to have plenty of notes and updates from down here to keep you satiated on the baseball front. Today is the report date for all Nationals pitchers and catchers, but that doesn't...