Drew Storen found out about the Nationals' surprise signing of closer Rafael Soriano just like many fans. He saw it on Twitter. Storen, who saved 43 games for the Nats in 2011 and then returned from elbow surgery last year to post a 2.37 ERA in 30 1/3 innings, then contacted his fellow reliever and in-season roommate Tyler Clippard and broke the news. "I just called (Clippard) and said, 'Did you see this?' And we were like, 'What?' It was kind of a random thing," Storen said. "I...

NatsFest is over. At least I'm pretty sure it is. The media work area in Salon D is windowless and removed from where all the action was earlier this afternoon. But a lot of the ushers and greeters and helpers have been parading through the adjacent room, and that's a sure sign the paying customers have departed with a bunch of new curly W merchandise and Nationals memories to tide them over until spring training starts in a few weeks. Before I head over to a happy hour at Bobby Van's...

Drew Storen's elbow feels fine, and his psyche shows no scars from a meltdown in Game 5 of the National League Division Series that the right-hander would probably prefer to permanently file away, never to be remembered. A London vacation after the premature end to his season helped Storen unwind and begin the process of moving on past extremely personal disappointment. "It's harder because you don't have that game the next day to fix it," he explained. "That's why you look at Game 6...

Bryce Harper won't enter spring training this year with all eyes on him, like they were last year. He won't enter spring training trying to impress manager Davey Johnson or trying to win a spot on the 25-man roster, like he did last year. This time around, the 20-year-old outfielder will just go in trying to get himself in the best shape possible to be ready for the start of the regular season, when he'll play left field and likely hit somewhere in the top third of the Nationals' batting...

Ready for some good one-liners so far from NatsFest? Jordan Zimmermann on possibly increasing his innings this season: "The way it looks, I'm going to have to throw five innings and the bullpen should be able to handle it." Ian Desmond on having some more "daddy strength" after the birth of his second son earlier this offseason: "Yup, double dose this year." Bryce Harper, sarcastically, on having all the fans cheering for him here at NatsFest: "Well, Strasburg's not here, so...

There will be changes for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore in 2013. For starters, he's ditched the offensive lineman's No. 57 that used to be on his jersey. Instead, he's returned to a more familiar No. 12. "I've always had it," Moore said at NatsFest, "all through the minors." The last player to don No. 12 for the Nationals? Pinch hitter deluxe Matt Stairs in 2011. The number on his back won't be the only change Moore will deal with for 2013. With the trade of Michael Morse to...

The Washington Nationals announced today that William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, has been named the fifth participant in the GEICO Presidents Race. "Bill" is scheduled to be introduced to the public today at a press conference during NatsFest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the newest Racing President following his introductory press conference. Bill will join George, Tom, Abe and Teddy...

A couple things are different about Danny Espinosa from the last time we saw him. First, he's got a massive beard, which he started growing around Oct. 1 and hasn't shaved since. That will go before spring training starts. Also, he finally knows what was wrong with his left shoulder, which bugged him for the better part of the final two months of last season. Espinosa was originally diagnosed late last season with a bone bruise inside the capsule of his shoulder. Turns out, Espinosa...

Ross Detwiler probably will be the first of the Nationals' contingent to arrive in Viera, Fla., for spring training. He leaves Sunday. "It's nine degrees at home" in St. Louis, Detwiler said at NatsFest on Saturday. "I can't get outside." Temperatures in the 20s and 30s in Washington, D.C., are balmy by comparison - warm enough that Detwiler has been hoofing it around town since arriving Friday. The left-hander went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 33 games, including 27 starts, last year and...

Danny Espinosa still has his beard, and it's still fierce. Never say I don't bring you all the important updates. Mike Rizzo took part in a fan Q&A session here at NatsFest at bit ago, and at one point was asked about the chances of the Nationals and Washington D.C. getting to host an All-Star Game. Rizzo's response? "We deserve the damn All-Star game, I'll tell you that," he told the fans, who broke out in applause. The Nationals would have loved to have been selected to host the...