The deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players is almost upon us, and the chances of Mark Reynolds staying with the Orioles diminish by the hour. The Orioles still don't seem willing to risk going to arbitration with Reynolds, who could earn around $9 million after making $7.5 million in 2012. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated earlier this week that he would explore negotiating a new deal with Reynolds, saying, "We'll see if we can do something...

Mike Rizzo has had his eye on Denard Span for quite a while now. The Nationals' general manager scouted Span a decade ago back at Catholic High School in Tampa, Fla., followed him through the Twins' organization and was close to pulling off a trade for Span two years ago. Today, Rizzo finally got his guy. The Nationals acquired Span from the Twins for right-handed pitching prospect Alex Meyer this evening. Span will play center field and hit leadoff for the Nats, taking over a role that...

Newly acquired Nationals outfielder Denard Span is excited to be coming to D.C. after hearing the news he had been traded to the Nationals from the Minnesota Twins. "Yeah, most definitely, most definitely, man," Span said when reached by phone after the trade was announced. "My initial reaction as I talked to (Twins) general manager Terry Ryan. At first, when he told me it was definitely sad news. I have been with the Twins for 10 years. Everything I know about the game came from...

After a couple of years of searching, the Nationals have finally found their center fielder and leadoff hitter. The Nats have acquired Denard Span in a trade with the Twins in return for minor league right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer. Span, 28, hit .283 with four home runs, 41 RBIs and 17 stolen bases and a .342 on-base percentage in 128 games this season. He gives the Nats speed at the top of the order, will bring strong defense in center and provides another left-handed bat in the...

The Washington Nationals today acquired center fielder Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor-league right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span is a career .284 (669-for-2354) hitter with 105 doubles, 36 triples, 23 home runs, 230 RBI, 90 stolen bases, 254 walks, 360 runs scored in 589 big league contests spanning five seasons (2008-12) with the Twins. In 2012, Span...

When the Winter Meetings begin in Nashville in four days, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo will sit in on dozens of meetings with agents and front office personnel from other teams, looking to upgrade his roster for the 2013 season and beyond. Speaking this afternoon on 106.7 the Fan, Rizzo revealed that one of his top goals during these sessions will be to add a "dynamic" center fielder, which would allow Bryce Harper to move to a corner outfield spot. "Circle back to months ago and...

The Braves had a shot to re-sign Michael Bourn, who had spent the last season and a half in Atlanta. Instead they chose B.J. Upton, signing the former Tampa Bay Rays center fielder to a five-year, $75 million deal. Not sure what that says about Bourn as he looks to get a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $80-90 million. Upton certainly brings qualities that Bourn doesn't; he's nearly two years younger, has more pop in his bat and many scouts still feel he hasn't yet lived up to his...

The Orioles today announced their 2013 Grapefruit League schedule, which opens February 23 with a 1:05 p.m. game against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. 2013 marks the fourth consecutive spring training for the Orioles in Sarasota, and the third in the renovated Ed Smith Stadium. Baltimore will face eight different opponents during the 2013 Grapefruit League campaign. The O's will host the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates three times each and the Minnesota Twins, New York...

The Orioles have released their 2013 spring training schedule, which includes the Feb. 23 opener against the Minnesota Twins in Sarasota. They also will host Team Brazil on March 6 in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. Pitchers and catchers will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 12, and position players will report on Feb. 15. The WBC really has caused some major adjustments to the usual routine. The Orioles will face eight different opponents. They will host the Red...

In case you missed yesterday's edition of "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" - and there's no excuse, since MASN replayed it at 11:30 p.m. - former executive Jim Duquette speculated that free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton might have to settle for a deal in "the four-year range," which could make the Orioles a potential suitor. I immediately thanked Duquette for stirring up the masses again. Then we shared a laugh. You should have been there. "Right now there are a bunch of teams sitting...