Right-hander Christian Garcia made a nice move all the way to the Nationals in 2012 after dominating opponents while pitching at Triple-A Syracuse. Garcia began the season at Double-A Harrisburg. In 18 games, he went 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA with seven saves in 20 innings, firing 28 strikeouts to six walks. Then, in Syracuse, Garcia went 1-1 with a 0.56 ERA in 27 games over 32 1/3 innings. He struck out 38 and walked 11. With the Nationals, Garcia appeared in 13 games, pitching 12 2/3 innings and...

For a team that isn't overhauling its roster all that much, it's kind of interesting that the Nationals have lost all three left-handed relievers that were on their 2012 roster prior to the 25-man limit expanding in September. Sean Burnett has headed out west to join the Angels for a reported $8 million over two years, with a vesting option worth $4.5 million for 2015. Tom Gorzelanny, who was non-tendered by the Nats last month, signed a two-year, $5.7 million deal with the Brewers. And...

Another day passed without the Orioles signing or trading for a player. The 40-man roster still has an opening. Perhaps it will be filled during my drive home from Ocean Pines. News tends to break while I'm behind the wheel. I may have to brake a few times in the snow. Be careful if you're traveling today. I'm already looking ahead to some of the anticipated spring training competitions, fully aware that the roster could change at any minute. In past years, the backup catcher...

Another left-handed reliever is off the market. Michael Gonzalez, who appeared in 47 games with the Nationals last season, has signed a one-year deal with the Brewers, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. The deal is worth $2.25 million plus incentives, according to CBSsports.com. Gonzalez posted a 3.03 ERA with the Nats, and he held left-handed hitters to a .179 batting average. He was also a valuable voice in the Nationals' clubhouse, as he mentored a number of the Nationals'...

If you're looking for some good baseball programming on TV to get you through the weekend, I've got a suggestion for you. Cue up the DVR and record any future airings of a one-hour special that originally aired on MLB Network last night called "The Third Team." The show follows around the six umpires that worked the 2012 World Series and gives you a very cool look at the game from their perspective. All six umpires are miked up during the games, and you get to see how the umps handle...

If you were occupied by holiday festivities this week, it's OK, because it was a rather slow week of baseball news, barring the power rankings that labeled the Nats a team to watch for the 2013 season. ESPN's Buster Olney ranked the Nats second in his early power rankings. While D.C. is preparing to watch the Redskins fight for a division title, MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko compared the team's surprising season to that of the Nationals. Again, this week's news is the lack of news...

Parties have been attended, presents unwrapped (and returned), and every cookie in my arms' reach devoured. Happy Holidays, indeed. With the holidays and end of the year upon us, the baseball news has been sparse this week. Regarding the Orioles, news has been mainly limited to rumors and speculation. The notion that the Tigers could have interest in J.J. Hardy was raised. Also discussed this week was the Orioles' lack of improvement, as labeled by ESPN. In a recent ranking by David...

Looking for a good debate this morning? Perhaps you'll settle for the following: Should the Orioles' front office be focused on reducing the number of strikeouts in the lineup? One argument suggests that strikeouts are the same as a pop up, and much better than a double play grounder, so there's no reason to obsess over them. It's just one out. But another argument suggests that it's always better to put the ball in play - especially with a runner on third base and fewer than two outs -...

As we count down to the end of another year, today I take a few moments to count down the best Orioles wins of the 2012 regular season. The list is, of course, subjective. I'd love to read your thoughts and which game or games I left out that make your list. On with the countdown ... 5. Orioles win 1-0 on the road against Tampa Bay, Oct. 2 On a night they needed to win to head to the regular season's final day still with a chance to win the American League East, the Orioles beat the Rays...

There has always been a lot of talk about the potential of outfielder Eury Perez. Last season, for the first time, Nationals fans finally got to see him play in the big leagues. Perez, ranked as No. 7 on Baseball America's list of 10 top Nationals prospects, played in 13 games in September, going 1-for-5 (.200) with three stolen bases and three runs. It was a small sample size, and now Perez will have a shot to try to grab one of the utility slots in the Nationals outfield in spring training...