ORLANDO, Fla. - Greetings from Orlando International Airport, where I've just arrived through the security checkpoint to news that the Nationals' deal with outfielder Nate McLouth is official. That means McLouth passed his physical and that his $10.75 million deal is official. The Nationals envision the veteran, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, as a perfect fourth outfielder, since he's able to play all positions, is a plus defender and adds a dimension of speed to the bench. In...

The Washington Nationals today signed outfielder Nate McLouth to a two-year contract. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. McLouth, a nine-year veteran, is a career .250 (779-for-3118) hitter with 185 doubles, 19 triples, 100 home runs, 326 RBI and 129 stolen bases in 966 games with the Orioles (2012-13), Braves (2009-11) and Pirates (2005-09, '12). The left-handed hitting McLouth joins the Nationals after hitting .258 with 31...

The Washington Nationals are looking for outgoing and energetic personalities to be a part of the team's entertainment crew for the 2014 season. Beginning this week, the Nationals are accepting applications for the NatPack, the Racing Presidents and the Ball Girl squad. Fans across the Nation's Capital have until Friday, January 3, 2014 to apply for these seasonal positions by visiting the Job Opportunities section on nationals.com or checking out www.teamworkonline.com. NATPACK The NatPack...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Another Winter Meetings week has come and gone. We headed south. We blogged. We tweeted. We waited for big news that never came. That doesn't mean it never will. We'll see on that one. The fans are restless and some of the reporters may be too. Over the next few days and maybe weeks, we'll begin to find out if the groundwork was set or advanced this week for additions that can help the 2014 Orioles. Before we headed for the airport, Roch and I headed for one more...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles are trying to get a deal done with closer Grant Balfour before Friday morning's flight back to Baltimore. Though the lobby area is mostly empty now, minus the tourists, the latest buzz is that the Orioles remain the favorites to sign Balfour. They're the top team on his list of preferred destinations. The Orioles have a two-year offer on the table, as I mentioned last night. Balfour is holding out for a third year, which has presented an obvious...

It was another attention grabbing season for outfielder Steven Souza Jr., in the Nationals organization. Souza also has garnered positive feedback from Baseball America, which has him moved up to the No. 9 spot in the Nationals' Top 10 prospects for 2014, according to Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt. No. 9 OF Steven Souza Jr. "He is kind of a neat story and a talent," Fitt said. "I have heard scouts saying they really believe in him, that they think he can be a Matt...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - In taking Michael Almanzar today in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles got a player that was once a top international signing by the Boston Red Sox. Jim Callis of MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com, during a video interview after the draft, pointed out that Almanzar was signed to a $1.5 million dollar deal by Boston in July 2007. "He's got big raw power with plus arm strength," Callis said. "Kind of slow to develop, but he's had back-to-back two...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As the winter meetings end, the Nationals were like a well-oiled machine shopping for left-handed relievers. They traded for Jerry Blevins from Oakland and now their offseason checklist is complete: Blevins, Doug Fister and Nate McLouth. That makes the Nationals the most complete team in the division and the favorites to win back their NL East title. Here's a look at how the NL East shapes up as baseball departs Disney: ATLANTA - The Braves are weaker without their...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As the Winter Meetings come to a close, and the Orioles continue to look for pitching and a left-handed bat, here's what's going on with the other teams in the Americfan League East: BOSTON: The Red Sox lost center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the Yankees and picked up catcher A.J. Pierzynski to replace Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who signed with Miami. Manager John Farrell says he's confident in prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. in center, especially on defense, but Shane...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles selected third baseman Michael Almanzar during Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. So who is this guy? First and foremost, he's the Orioles' latest Rule 5 acquisition. Almanzar was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-tender free agent back in 2007 and the 23-year-old has spent his entire career in the Sox' farm system. Now he's heading south to Baltimore, where he'll join the club's 40-man roster. For reaction from the Orioles front office and notes on the...